2.0L 4cyl engine reliability issues?

[J0E]

Don’t do it!!! Okay, the 2.0L is the least reliable engine in the history of Jeep. It constantly breaks down, it overheats all the time, it misfires frequently, it is a ticking time bomb. Go buy a ford escort.

Based on what, anecdotes?

My nephew's company has data that shows the 2.0L turbo and the 3.6 are the same, the diesel and 392 higher.

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[swflfireguy]

So far I've had no problems with my 4 bangers. The '95 YJ had 125K on it when i sold it, and mow my JL has 83K and no problems so far. ?

 

[longfiredragon]

I love my 2.0 T. It has been flawless except the water leak which was a super easy fix that I did myself. I feel for those that have trouble, but jeep has trouble with every engine they are using. And so does pretty much every other MFG these days. Its tough to keep things in perspective sometimes on a world wide open forum like this. You have people that are just not that informed about vehicles, like having a coolant leak and there saying the engine sucks and is not reliable. A coolant leak has nothing to do with the actual engine itself other than to keep Temps. in check, but it has nothing to do with the mechanical aspect of the engine itself.

Just because some knuckle head moron can't torque something correctly doesn't mean the engine itself is junk. I did not read all of this, but I have seen that quite a few are now getting up into the 100K mark and over with their 2.0's and they have been flawless. I may have missed it, but so far I have not seen one person post about a 2.0 blowing up, or coming apart which might be an actual engine issue, in fact I haven't seen one thing about a 2.0 engine breaking.

Also important to remember that for every person that comes on here with JL issues, oh the JL is crap, what a POS, bla, bla, bla and although I feel their pain remember there are 300 or 400 K of JL's running around every day with zero issues.

Do a lot of research and pick which Jeep you want and go have fun with it.

 

[CptFloridaMan]

So I figured i’d chime in. I’ve been chasing an oil leak for about 30k miles. Thought it was rear main seal since it was extremely small. But this last oil change I climbed under the jeep and followed oil up to the oil return line under the turbo. Cleaned it up with carb cleaner and am watching it but it looks like so far that was the fix for me. It wasn’t even finger tight when I went to tighten it.

 

[longfiredragon]

So I figured i’d chime in. I’ve been chasing an oil leak for about 30k miles. Thought it was rear main seal since it was extremely small. But this last oil change I climbed under the jeep and followed oil up to the oil return line under the turbo. Cleaned it up with carb cleaner and am watching it but it looks like so far that was the fix for me. It wasn’t even finger tight when I went to tighten it.

Thanks for sharing. It looks like it is not the type of clamp you can tighten? did you just squeeze the clamp together a little tighter? Please share exactly how you tightened it. Thanks!

 

[CptFloridaMan]

Thanks for sharing. It looks like it is not the type of clamp you can tighten? did you just squeeze the clamp together a little tighter? Please share exactly how you tightened it. Thanks!

There’s two bolts on bottom and top of the tube. I tightened that cause it wasn’t even finger tight. In the picture the bolt is blocking the view to the clamp.

 

[Heimkehr]

I traded in a Mazda Miata for the Jeep 2.0T with automatic transmission. JL, 2 door

Zero problems with turbo lag. The engine is very peppy. Not as fast as the Miata but I don't notice any problems at all when I need to pass someone or when I need to take a freeway on ramp.

Was the Miata's engine massaged in any way? With respect, that vehicle in factory config. doesn't strike me as "fast" in the sense that it could easily gap a 2.0T Jeep, particularly the lighter two-door model.

Just curious if it's a stock-to-stock comparison.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Was the Miata's engine massaged in any way? With respect, that vehicle in factory config. doesn't strike me as "fast" in the sense that it could easily gap a 2.0T Jeep, particularly the lighter two-door model.

Just curious if it's a stock-to-stock comparison.

I happen to own both a stock JLR 2.0 & Miata (ND2 RF, 181 HP, 156 lb.ft., manual transmission). It's hard to tell which one is faster 0-60, but I'm pretty sure the Miata would win (and it's actually only MX-5 now... no Miata name anymore). I previously owned an AP2 S2000 (237 HP, 162 lb.ft.) and the Mazda is a tiny bit faster to 60. The Honda was definitely faster +80 MPH though.

Sure the JLR has +89HP & almost double the torque of the Mazda, but it's also about double the weight.

 

[ViperJon]

Just wanted to update this to the thread. 1,000 miles after new engine install, the engine is leaking coolant from oil cooler. I confirmed with the technician, the replacement engine includes the oil cooler. So that is two defective 2.0l engines from the factory in a row. I would not buy another 2.0l. Heck I would not buy a JL at this point unless you can buy two or have a spare Jeep. 55 days and counting of the 112 days I have owned this Jeep it has been in the shop over engine problems. I am passed jaded.

I would call the odds of that almost astronomical. You must be one unlucky person or whoever installed the second one screwed it up.

 

[Xspurt]

Just wanted to update this to the thread. 1,000 miles after new engine install, the engine is leaking coolant from oil cooler. I confirmed with the technician, the replacement engine includes the oil cooler. So that is two defective 2.0l engines from the factory in a row. I would not buy another 2.0l. Heck I would not buy a JL at this point unless you can buy two or have a spare Jeep. 55 days and counting of the 112 days I have owned this Jeep it has been in the shop over engine problems. I am passed jaded.

I feel ya, man. However, you'll never get any sympathy from forum enthusiasts. They're like the band on the Titanic as it sank ... playing till the end, even when they know they're going to die.

 

[SparkleTooth]

Based on what, anecdotes?

My nephew's company has data that shows the 2.0L turbo and the 3.6 are the same, the diesel and 392 higher.

Care to share that data, or is that statement.......anecdotal as well?

 

[sts90]

I would call the odds of that almost astronomical. You must be one unlucky person or whoever installed the second one screwed it up.

@Xspurt
Funny you say that because I drove the Jeep home after 2 weeks in the shop for oil cooler replacement and it was leaking next morning. It is back in shop again and I was told it is the hoses seeping and still waiting on the part. I dropped it of this Monday and will not hope to see it until next Monday. Also no the oil cooler was part of the crate engine and not touched during install of second engine. I am disappointed and the sum of factors are causing great stress on me.

 

[Cux211]

Holy hell you guys are making me nervous for ordering a 2.0, looks like chances are I may be taking a big hit because if this crap happens to mine I know I won’t keep it it’ll get kicked down the road for sure

 

[ViperJon]

Holy hell you guys are making me nervous for ordering a 2.0, looks like chances are I may be taking a big hit because if this crap happens to mine I know I won’t keep it it’ll get kicked down the road for sure

Well for every highly unusual case like above there are a thousand that have had none or very minor issues. I've had a turbo three and a half years and have never had a single...not one single....glitch.

 

[Grooster]

Holy hell you guys are making me nervous for ordering a 2.0, looks like chances are I may be taking a big hit because if this crap happens to mine I know I won’t keep it it’ll get kicked down the road for sure

I'm at 52,000 trouble-free miles. I've done Colorado Jeep trails, towed three different sizes of trailers, been loaded to the seams and not once had an issue. I keep it serviced like I have all my previous vehicles. I'm fortunate to have a great dealer experience, too. Not everyone does.

Bottom line is this - when you take delivery have the vehicle inspected. Spending anytime at all on this forum and you will get an idea of what to look at (fuses, water pump bolts, etc.). Give the Jeep a regular once over and enjoy the dang thing! I 've said it before - if you drive it and you like it then buy it. No regrets...Good luck!

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