3 1/2 years of 3.6 ownership

[DaltonGang]

After 3 1/2 years of ownership, I still love the feel of the 3.6 and Auto Tranny combo. Very peppy, and the shifts are spot on. Of course there are a few issues that come with the Wrangler, but, so far, the engine has been solid.
The only issue I have seen is, the engine is very sensitive to old oil. This being, the engine becomes very noisy, the closer it gets to oil change time.

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[AC87]

I'm 3 weeks into ownership and 1,700 kms in, so I hope to share the same experience 5+ years from now. It's like anything, you maintain it, treat it right, generally it should do you well.

 

[DaltonGang]

Oh, my 15 yr old daughter is learning to drive, by driving all over the place, in the Wrangler. She loves it, and says it has too much power. Never too much power, almost never.

 

[cabnfvr]

Almost 4 years and 65000 miles. We did a Rubicon spring/shock/tire swap way back in April 2018. The 3.6 gives us consistent 20 to 21 mpg and while a 392 would surely be fun 287 hp ain't bad.

 

[DaltonGang]

Almost 4 years and 65000 miles. We did a Rubicon spring/shock/tire swap way back in April 2018. The 3.6 gives us consistent 20 to 21 mpg and while a 392 would surely be fun 287 hp ain't bad.

I did all the Rubicon Suspension/Tire/Wheels swap too, several months after buying mine. Zero issues with the swap.

 

[calemasters]

The only issue I have seen is, the engine is very sensitive to old oil. This being, the engine becomes very noisy, the closer it gets to oil change time.

We like clean oil.

 

[Whaler27]

Almost 4 years and 65000 miles. We did a Rubicon spring/shock/tire swap way back in April 2018. The 3.6 gives us consistent 20 to 21 mpg and while a 392 would surely be fun 287 hp ain't bad.

Wow! I never saw 20 mpg. Or even 18 mpg, unless I was heading downhill. I think the best tank I ever saw was in the 17s. That was before I installed the lift and went up to 37s. Now, with the rack and gear on board I’m consistently in the low 14s.

 

[Sanchese]

I had a 2012 Rubicon with 3.6l with 178,000 KMS.
( I traded it in for a new 2021 Rubi 3.6l. )
The engine ran like a clock.
Guys if you maintain your vehicle properly and do not drive it too hard and rough it will run amazingly!

Jeeps have improved since the jk to a better ride and better transmission in the JL.

 

[HungryHound]

24 years of 4.0 ownership and it idles rough when it wants an oil change too.

 

[1BadManVan]

Yup, this engine will last for years if you take care of it. Originally had one in our 2012 caravan, got rid of it with 220k, engine was fantastic. Now back into one with our 2019 Sahara, chrysler definitely knocked it out of the park with this power plant. Not the fastest or most powerful, but a very well built motor

 

[Nitehawk92]

Wow! I never saw 20 mpg. Or even 18 mpg, unless I was heading downhill. I think the best tank I ever saw was in the 17s. That was before I installed the lift and went up to 37s. Now, with the rack and gear on board I’m consistently in the low 14s.

Was was able to get up to 24.2 MPG in my 2020 Sport w/manual transmission. But I had to become everything I dislike. I drove the speed limit, accelerated slowly, coasted a lot. It was horrible...

 

[Barely Krawlified]

I have a 2019 JLUR with 3.6/8A with the ESS (first thing I turn off after starting the Jeep) and other than some functional mods I’m still pretty much stock as it remains sitting on the factory 33” KO2s, wheels and suspension. I’m about to cross 24,000 miles in about 27 months of ownership and it’s my daily driver.

After all this time behind the wheel I’m of the opinion that the JLUR is an automotive masterpiece. It’s incredibly fun to drive, has an iconic aesthetic, is hands down the most versatile and capable vehicle south of $100K and when nicely optioned (LED, Cold Weather, Leather, 8.4, Tow, Proximity, Steel Bumpers and a textured hardtop came on mine) it is beyond comfortable and pleasing on the inside.

I’m keeping my 3.6/8A for the long term because of its proven track record of reliability, relative simplicity/availability of parts and that if taken care of should provide decades of service. They put the 3.6 in everything — from police cars and taxis to minivans and challengers — and I’m glad this amazing engine is under the hood of my rig. It’s really a blast to drive with this combo on the 4.10 gears with 33”s and for me is just the perfect setup.

BTW, I’m currently on oil change #16 in less than 24,000 miles. It’s just too easy and cheap (and gives me an excuse to hang out in the garage) so I’m going a bit overboard. What isn’t so cheap is my stubborn refusal to put anything other than top tier 91 in the tank. It gets about 16-17 MPG but it purrs like a kitten and has no knock whatsoever. I love this engine and the Jeep it pulls and don’t give a damn what it costs to run it. For me (and I suspect for many of you) it’s always worth it.

 

[OSCAR II]

I have a 14 JK 3.6/5 speed auto with 82k. I've gotten as high as 24mpg straight highway driving but its usually between 17-20mpg. It runs good, really no complaints with its power. Only problems I've had with it was the thermostat went bad and the leaky oil cooler. I'd say that's the only problem with them is the poor oil cooler design.

 

[Jeepsmashin]

4 years this month and with 55k miles. Dealer said I had a radiator leak but fixed it under mopar lifetime warranty. Cracked windshield from a rock chip. That's it.

 

[DanW]

I'm at jut over 4 years with 58k on mine. Smooth as silk. In fact, it is smoother and quieter than my wife's 2021 Etorque/auto. I'm not sure why. But hers routinely gets over 20mpg. Mine doesn't get anywhere near that, although it is pushing 35" mudders while hers is on stock 33 mudders.

The only issue I've had is oil seeping from a couple of seals (cam position sensor or something similar) on both valve covers. The seepy seals were replaced under warranty, so all is good. They never seeped enough to drip but rather allowed a film of oil to develop on the covers.

Anyway, I've been hardl on this engine just because it is fun to drive with the manual. That certainly doesn't help in keeping up with my wife's gas mileage, lol!

I've settled into 5k mile oil changes, mostly with Mobil 1 EP. I've got Chevron Havoline Pro-DS in it for now because it was only 20 bucks for a 6 quart box. (I used the extra quart in my oil drinking 3.8 JK.)

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