3.6 or 2.0

[DCamp]

Talking about sports cars, just picked up this very sweet Audi R8 with gated 6-speed. Never owned a gated tranny...should be fun. Funny...did they need the shift pattern on the knob when the gate is right there?!?!? I'll keep it for a month or two then sell it...too much $$ and insurance!

Beautiful interior!
Only manual here, if you don't count the old Ford 8N tractor... My 86 F350

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[dac219.9]

3.6L 4 LYFE

 

[Mumbly]

Of all the options, you had to choose the absolutely slowest possible combination, and the only one incapable of pushing bigger tires without massive regearing. Ouch.

Yep. I’ll own that.

 

[Guv]

It depends on what you want, for some a basic Jeep would work. Others might be at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Buy what you want, drive what you bought.

 

[ODDs]

Right after looking at this thread, I went for my daily perusal on Marketplace. Found this baby, thought it case in point.

I know the 3.6 should be simpler based on being less complex, but being on these forums sure makes me question that significantly. There sure seems to be a high proportion of issues for an engine that is the rare engine in Wrangler. Most Wranglers are stuffed with the 2.0, and the owners don't even care. There should be more posts about 2.0 problems based on the higher percentage of vehicles, yet it sure seems to be the opposite.

I'm trying pick up a JK for my daughter. Every mechanic I take one to for a pre-sale inspection says the same thing- get the minivan motor, stay away from the 3.6.

I am also thinking about picking a few year old Pacifica. Checking out those forums, they're having the same problems with those 3.6s and are being had here. And not just the hybrid.

I realized none of this is statistical, but it is strongly suggestive.

 

[gato]

“But bro it’s noisy”

Correction. It WAS noisy (for sure in my 2021 it sounded bad on start up). But it is really quiet in my 2026 and no awful startup noises. You have to understand that this is an strategic engine for Stellantis and they have and will continue to improve refine it (the 3.6 is a throw away dead-end, zero new investment). They seem to have increase start up RPM to heat up the cats without the weird startup cycle, and seem to now have much quieter high pressure injectors. It sounds better on startup than my I6 BMW engine now.

 

[gato]

So true. No clutch - No fun. And you save $2500 cause the manual is FREE.

Oh no! Another that will be clogging Jeep's service department with their exploding clutch recalls, cracking oil cooler, and destroyed valvetrains. No wonder it takes weeks to get an appointment at Jeep service dept these days.

 

[croppz]

Correction. It WAS noisy (for sure in my 2021 it sounded bad on start up). But it is really quiet in my 2026 and no awful startup noises. You have to understand that this is an strategic engine for Stellantis and they have and will continue to improve refine it (the 3.6 is a throw away dead-end, zero new investment). They seem to have increase start up RPM to heat up the cats without the weird startup cycle, and seem to now have much quieter high pressure injectors. It sounds better on startup than my I6 BMW engine now.

That’s great to hear. Personally, I don’t feel my 21 is all that noisy on start up compared to my old 4.0L TJ. Jeeps in general are just noisy. I actually like the tractor sound . I’m glad to hear they addressed it

 

[gato]

Yep. I’ll own that.

OK. You like things slow.

Just remember when the clutch plate explodes, get out quick, because the subsequent fire happens very quickly. Tick, tick, tick that's the V6 countdown dong

Peace.

 

[DCamp]

My

Correction. It WAS noisy (for sure in my 2021 it sounded bad on start up). But it is really quiet in my 2026 and no awful startup noises. You have to understand that this is an strategic engine for Stellantis and they have and will continue to improve refine it (the 3.6 is a throw away dead-end, zero new investment). They seem to have increase start up RPM to heat up the cats without the weird startup cycle, and seem to now have much quieter high pressure injectors. It sounds better on startup than my I6 BMW engine now.

My 2021 2.0 definitely sounds different. I've actually had men tell me something is wrong with my Jeep. I simply ask them what they base their opinion on and when the last time they owned a Jeep was.... Conversion killer. Yes!

 

[dac219.9]

Right after looking at this thread, I went for my daily perusal on Marketplace. Found this baby, thought it case in point.

I know the 3.6 should be simpler based on being less complex, but being on these forums sure makes me question that significantly. There sure seems to be a high proportion of issues for an engine that is the rare engine in Wrangler. Most Wranglers are stuffed with the 2.0, and the owners don't even care. There should be more posts about 2.0 problems based on the higher percentage of vehicles, yet it sure seems to be the opposite.

I'm trying pick up a JK for my daughter. Every mechanic I take one to for a pre-sale inspection says the same thing- get the minivan motor, stay away from the 3.6.

I am also thinking about picking a few year old Pacifica. Checking out those forums, they're having the same problems with those 3.6s and are being had here. And not just the hybrid.

I realized none of this is statistical, but it is strongly suggestive.

What are the numbers of engines produced 3.6L vs. 2.0T? 3:1? 4:1? The 3.6L numbers are in the millions, and not just for the Wranglers.

The 2.0L GME T-4 was introduced to Wrangler in 2018, and to Alfa Romeo in 2016. So let’s say average miles per year is 12,000 miles, that would place most early engines at around 96,000. Let’s see how they fare at 125,000 miles or 150,000 miles.

The 3.6L Pentastar on the other hand, has many successful iterations at 200,000 miles or even 300,000 miles. Depending on proper maintenance, specially for the later generations.

I’ll stick with the 3.6L Pentastar. I might change my tune in 2030, when we have more data available for the 2.0T.

 

[Blacksport]

Oh no! Another that will be clogging Jeep's service department with their exploding clutch recalls, cracking oil cooler, and destroyed valvetrains. No wonder it takes weeks to get an appointment at Jeep service dept these days.

I've already replaced the oil cooler/filter with the Dorman aluminum unit. I've taken steps to minimize early valvetrain damage. And I could change the clutch with a blindfold on, but that won't happen for a while...after dozens of street & competition cars with manual trannys, I know how to shift gears without stressing the clutch...

 

[dac219.9]

I've already replaced the oil cooler/filter with the Dorman aluminum unit. I've taken steps to minimize early valvetrain damage. And I could change the clutch with a blindfold on, but that won't happen for a while...after dozens of street & competition cars with manual trannys, I know now to shift gears without stressing the clutch...

The ZF is a great automatic transmission, but so is the Aisin manual transmission. It’s manufactured by a Toyota subsidiary. As long as these 3.6L Pentastar with Aisin MT6 JLs are well maintenances, there are no issues. Best combo IMO.

And changing a clutch is not cardiovascular surgery.

 

[Odyssey USA]

As far as changes to the 3.6, I ordered a new oil pump, oil pump drive gear, oil pump chain, and sure...the crank gear too. I was already in there so why not. Had lifter/cam failure last year and head gasket failure a couple of months later. Crap year. Anyway, I finally got around to opening the box and the oil pump gear is thin compared to the original. Checked with Benny and that's the only gear available now! I mean THIN. You can still get the wider chain but no wide gear. Point being, I wonder if the drive ratio of the oil pump is the same. Who knows what else they may have changed.

I'll try to compare when I get the old one off but first I have to find time to get these head studs, etc on. Sloooow and steady progress, especially while getting video of it for the Tube.

 

[Terrymo]

Not to mention - lawn mower engines can take some absolute NEGLECT and keep on ticking

Ok I know I’m super late to the cut and paste supporting the 2.0 by you and @yokramer, but if my 3.6 keeps on ticking, that’s actually a good thing?

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