2018 JL needs a new engine

[JeepCares]

Hi all! I'm new to the forum, hoping to get help from @JeepCares . I own a 2018 JL Wrangler, purchased in 2019, currently has 52000 miles and the engine (2.0 Turbo) needs to be replaced. Of course it is out of warranty and I just paid it off recently. I've owned a Grand Cherokee & a Durango in the past and had just bought a pre-owned 21 Durango so I've liked Jeep/Dodge for quite some time but this has quickly changed my opinion of the Jeep product. Engines should not fail this quickly. Also parts are backordered so I'm not sure when I may even see my Wrangler again. So frustrating...

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[Slayer80]

I am currently in the same boat and not sure what to do. I bought my 18 sport s jlu in June of 2025 with 81k miles. I had a 4 hr drive home from Oklahoma. I made it an hour down the road when my engine light came on. Then it turned to a flashing engine light. Dealership wouldn't honor anything, except paying my local shop to run the codes. Ended up needing both cats and all 4 o2 sensors replaced, on my dime. Fast forward 8 month and almost 8k miles later I had my jeep scheduled to go in for routine fluid exchanges. 2 days before my jeep overheated without any warning. I just stopped, turned it off, and it boiled over, with the overflow cap almost completely off. When my shop got it they started with the coolant to diagnose what might be going on. This is what they said: "Using vacuum venturi found cooling system to build vacuum but bleeds off. Filled system and performed pressure test. Found pressure to slowly bleed off. Performed inspection and found no external leaks. Removed pressure tester and installed block tester, monitored scan data for misfire information, found cyl 1 to report 5 out of 200 misfires on initial start up. Once vehicle reached operating temp and thermostat opened up found exhaust gases in the coolant reservoir indicating internal failure. Based on context clue found position marking on cam actuators and exhaust appears to have been removed. Suspect engine has been torn down. Valve cover and exhaust has been removed. Suspect head gasket to have been replaced but vehicle to still be having coolant intrusion issue. This year range of pentastar 3.6 is common to have head and casting defects, block warpage, etc. Replacement of cylinder head gasket is required along with sending in the head for testing/rebuild and block inspection. However, total engine replacement is the recommended repair as units have been known to pass inspection due to test performed at shop temp and not operating temp when components have failed during these temps".

So i'm not sure what to do. Can't trade it off cuz with 88,800 miles and owing 23k, that won't happen. I'd have to finance a new engine since I don't have that cash laying around. Jasper from what I heard is not currently making a reman long block for the 3.6 due to defect issues. This is my first ever wrangler and based on my crappy experience in 8k miles, it may very well be my last and only one.

 

[Slayer80]

I forgot to add, I did get a quote for a new engine for 9600 installed, or a Go Powertrain reman with a 3 yr 100k mile parts and labor warranty for 9800 installed. My worry with another factory engine is ending up right where i'm at again considering all the issues they have with head gaskets, warped blocks, bad cams, etc.

 

[mwilk012]

I forgot to add, I did get a quote for a new engine for 9600 installed, or a Go Powertrain reman with a 3 yr 100k mile parts and labor warranty for 9800 installed. My worry with another factory engine is ending up right where i'm at again considering all the issues they have with head gaskets, warped blocks, bad cams, etc.

Just pull the heads and fix it.

 

[Slayer80]

I thought about it but after they quoted me 5-6k to tear it down for repair and inspection, which they believe has already been done before, and the block turns out warped, i'd still be better off with a new or reman one. I'm trying to consider all avenues.

 

[mwilk012]

I assume you don’t have the capability to DIY? No shame on that, for sure. It’s a tough job. I sincerely doubt that it’s been done before, but yes at those 2 price points the best option is engine. If you can’t justify it, then yes getting rid of it would be an option but by no means a better long term financial decision.

 

[Slayer80]

Sadly I do not. I've got basic maintenance experience with the occasional diy stuff if I video can be found to help if needed but nothing major. I did all the mods myself on my step up but that was just bumpers, fenders and liners. I know a guy that could but he's too busy with his own list of projects. I trust the shop I go to and though I don't know enough to say otherwise if they list several things that suspect to already being opened and the gasket replaced before I trust it. This jeep has already had the steering dampner replaced 3 times based on the carfax report and the first time I had it in their shop the first thing he noticed underneath was either the tranny or transfer case had already been opened up before. I think I got one that has had a rough go at it. I have a couple different places working on quotes for me. I've gotten a couple already but i'm leaning towards a reman vs another factory one. My shop goes through Go Powertrain apparently so I'll hear what she has to say soon.

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