Here a lot of bad about them. Just wondering how wide spread this really was. Is there some years more prone to it then others? I like the idea of saving money and after running a 2.5 even a 3.8 has got to feel like a rocket ship so I doubt id miss the power. I just don't want to get stuck with a lemon
Probably pretty low. People with problems tend to complain, whereas people who are generally satisfied rarely say anything. Then again, Subaru put swiss cheese between the block and head of their 2.5 for years...
Of everyone that I personally know who has a JK with a 3.8 I am the only one who has had a bad engine. I would guess that the percentage of bad ones is really pretty low.
BUT I also think that you most likely would still get a long life out of one with proper maintenance. I think running it low is the biggest killer.
I personally know more people that have had heads changed on the 3.6 then oil issues on the 3.8.
There were around 800,000 JKs produced with the 3.8 so the average % of bad engines is really low.
my 2008 didnt burn any noticeable amt. however, i disagree with many about your chances of getting one that doesnt leak. may 3.8 leaked if you include the minivan with the 3.8 into the stats.
Leaking and burning oil are different. Every engine will eventually leak some oil, seals wear out and go bad that's life. A new engine isn't exactly supposed to burn oil in great quantities.
Still, the number of 3.8's in the minivan that had issues wasn't huge either. My parents had one of those minivans for a bit too, it wasn't a bad van as far as vans are concerned.
dune. imho, the issue was enough to raise concern when buying a vehicle. for myself, if i was looking at used wranglers, i would go a bit newer and find one with the pentastar engine and avoid the possible 3.8 oil user.
dune. imho, the issue was enough to raise concern when buying a vehicle. for myself, if i was looking at used wranglers, i would go a bit newer and find one with the pentastar engine and avoid the possible 3.8 oil user.
And worry whether or not you have bad heads? Lol .. One is no worse or better then the other. It's luck of the draw whatever vehicle you buy.
What is more important is that you check it out thoroughly and get good value for your dollar...
JT, not sure how chrysler handled the head issue by you, but down here the pstar heads were replaced and the heads were given an extended warranty. as i said, my 3.8 didnt use any oil, but some did and do. why gamble if the op doesnt have to.
If I had an oil burner (and mine is a 32k mile non oil burning 2010 JKU with a 3.8L) I would first replace the PCV valve...I would bet most of the issue is sticky valve creating excess vacuum in the oil section of the engine...essentially sucking the oil past the rings.
If I had an oil burner (and mine is a 32k mile non oil burning 2010 JKU with a 3.8L) I would first replace the PCV valve...I would bet most of the issue is sticky valve creating excess vacuum in the oil section of the engine...essentially sucking the oil past the rings.
Common myth. Many many people including me replaced the pcv valve multiple times with no change.
I would sometimes go somewhere and when I would go to leave, the valve train would make a bunch of noise when I would start it. I would then shut it down, pour two or three quarts in, then proceed on my way home after stopping at a store to buy a few more quarts to carry in the rear cubby. It is kind of like that is what the rear cubby was designed for. To hold extra quarts of oil.
The oil burning/leaking/whatever was not nearly as bad as the numerous other things that made my 2007 a miserable POS.
The oil burning/leaking/whatever was not nearly as bad as the numerous other things that made my 2007 a miserable POS. how is your 14 in comparison care to elaborate??
My 2007 JKU was the worst vehicle I ever owned in my life. From numerous computer problems to brakes that would fail that the dealer could not fix to everything out together loose and sloppy due to metric holes with standard bolts or vice versa to bad paint that would stain just from getting ordinary mud on it to not burning any oil until one day it just seemed like I could not keep oil in it to factory suspension being so cheap that sneezing on the tie rod would cause it it flip it was that sloppy and just on and on. I could write the equavalent if war and peace about it. I almost forgot about premature water pump failure, antifreeze leaking between the heads and intake manifold and thermostat housing and many many other problems. It ain't no fun when you are going 55 mph and the car in front of you stops but the computer decides it doesn't feel like applying the brakes when the car in front of you stops. I had no choice but to swerve and drive into and out of a ditch at highway speeds on more than one occasion. Dealer claims could not duplicate the problem. I called the customer care line at corporate and asked them if they would fix the problem or do a buy back or something once someone gets killed from this nonsense. Needless to say the brake problem got fixed. Most are not like that but it was enough to nearly sour me on Jeep. The only reason I bought a 2014 is because it was the smartest financial move I could make and I was able to negotiate a decent deal to where I could transfer most of my accessories to the 2014.
So far, the 2014 is the exact opposite and is shaping up to be the best vehicle I ever owned. I only have 29,000 miles on the 2014. I bought it at the very end of 2013. The only problem I have had is sometimes the rear differential vent stops venting and when that happens differential fluid ends up coming out and goes everywhere. The last time it happened I was a couple of hours from home and the differential fluid ended up covering my entire back glass before I made it home. Smelled really bad on the hot exhaust.
I have had a 2010 2 dr JK and now a 2011 4 dr JK. Neither one have had oil problems. I got rid of the 2010 just because I needed the space of the 4 door. No engine problems of any kind on either one, knock on wood.
Owned my 08 since October of 2007. recently it began losing oil I took it in for repair because it was the head gasket. Because I am the original owner with the lifetime powertrain and engine warranty they repaired it for free
... and the water pump.
I bought my 2011 with 26k on it. It started to consume a bit, so I started searching and found it to be common. I switched to a slightly heavier oil and started adding Lucas Oil Stabilizer, and the consumption isn't nearly as bad as it was.
09 with 126,000 miles and I've never had any issues with oil consumption.
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