Jeep Liberty 3.7L sludge problem

jeremesh · 04-07-2008, 02:56 PM

I have 68K on my 04 libby, no offroading, regular oil changes done myself mostly. The engine is now sludged up. Anybody else had this problem?

I called a place that sells used and rebuilt engines and told him I was looking for an engine for an 04 Jeep liberty, he said "You aren't going to find a used one because they all sludge up around 70K"

is this a common problem similar to the 2.7l issue that the lawsuit was filed for?

Anybody have comments on this?

Of course, Chrysler would not cover it under warranty because I couldn't produce 4 years worth of receipts for oil and filters. I know the user manual says to keep them, that is my bad, I should have stored them more efficiently.

jeepjeepster · 04-07-2008, 07:28 PM

Never heard of this issue before.

There was one person that had a similar problem but I believe he got his oil changed(or lack there of) at jiffy lube. What brand oil have you used and how do you know its sludged up?

x99j · 04-08-2008, 06:29 AM

never heard of it in the 3.7L

Manuel Medina · 04-08-2008, 11:56 PM

the 3.7 L is a "smaller" version of the 4.7 L on the Grand Cherokee... I think that basically is the "same" engine. any info of sludge problems on the 4.7 ?

I think that this is a "random" issue? not a general fault...

jeepjeepster · 04-10-2008, 11:18 AM

Never heard of sludge in a 4.7 either.

Youre correct, they are basically the same engine. They even use the same belt.

Flame · 04-10-2008, 05:21 PM

69,500 on our '03 Liberty. SLUDGE, I doubt it. Then again, we use AMSOIL synthetic and oil analysis. Never heard of any SLUDGE problem.

**Ridin' Around** · 04-10-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremesh

I have 68K on my 04 libby, no offroading, regular oil changes done myself mostly. The engine is now sludged up. Anybody else had this problem?

I called a place that sells used and rebuilt engines and told him I was looking for an engine for an 04 Jeep liberty, he said "You aren't going to find a used one because they all sludge up around 70K"

is this a common problem similar to the 2.7l issue that the lawsuit was filed for?

Anybody have comments on this?

Of course, Chrysler would not cover it under warranty because I couldn't produce 4 years worth of receipts for oil and filters. I know the user manual says to keep them, that is my bad, I should have stored them more efficiently.

How do you know you have a sludge issue, Are you getting it when draing your oil or some other issue? Take a look at this engine flush link We sell this to reduce build-up when switching to Synthetic. I am sure it would work for a sludge build-up issue. My advice would be to change your filter 1st w/o draing the oil use a bottle of the flush with a fresh filter then change your oil and filter again. take a look at this link...https://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/aef.aspx

**Ridin' Around** · 04-10-2008, 05:34 PM

Do a search on the Magnuson-Moss Act and take that info to your dealer. I don't believe they can deny you Warranty work due to lack of receipts. Maybe something for you to look into if the Flush is not the way you want to go.

jeremesh · 04-13-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepjeepster

Never heard of this issue before.

There was one person that had a similar problem but I believe he got his oil changed(or lack there of) at jiffy lube. What brand oil have you used and how do you know its sludged up?

Quaker State 5W30. I know its sludged because I just paid $970 to Chrysler to have them clean it up and replace the oil pump intake. Apparently they have to drop the axle to get to the oil pan.

jeremesh · 04-13-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridin' Around

Do a search on the Magnuson-Moss Act and take that info to your dealer. I don't believe they can deny you Warranty work due to lack of receipts. Maybe something for you to look into if the Flush is not the way you want to go.

Thanks, I will check into it.

bobcat7 · 04-14-2008, 06:23 PM

I used to get sludge in various vehicles I had over the years whenever I used Quaker State oil. Haven't use Quaker State for years and no more sludge. I do just use synthetic oils now.

oldcarjeepguy · 05-02-2008, 07:22 PM

my son has a 2002 3.7 with this issue as well as the cam followers that keep falling off. The engine was cleaned and rebuilt. The valves, springs cam followers and lash adjuster replaced. The cam followers still fall off. What a POC engine

Pablo · 05-02-2008, 08:46 PM

I have never heard of sludge build up disabling these motors. I don't doubt you had it, but if these motors are all sludging up at 70,000 miles then why is everyone on LOST still driving them at 150,000+? Ball joints on the other hand are a common problem. Several folk have well over 100,000 miles on these motors. I did a google search on lost kjs and every result for sludge had to do with the diesel motor and the differences between synthetic and conventional oil, nothing on the 3.7 sludging up. Sounds like the parts dealer was not quite with it.

jeepjeepster · 05-02-2008, 09:32 PM

Just to clear a few things up, the 3.7 and 4.7 engines are great AMC engines that do not suffer from sludge problems. Dont want false info to get started due to lack of maintenance or crappy oils. Here are some pics of a 4.7l with 200k on it. Owner replaced the worn out timing chain tensioners.

enjoy.

x99j · 05-03-2008, 06:01 AM

there are two (high mileage libertys) in this thread one has 247,000 (still runnin) and the other a member of this forum (colorado) has 325,000 miles on his with no sludge. colorado even has proof (via a picture) in his gallery. i don't doubt that yours had sludge but it is by no means a common occurance.

Link:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showt...ight=247%2C000