Anyone else have issues with their Pentastar?

[azjl#3]

Variable valve train=more noise than a stone cold quite old school v8 head. The basic design of this motor is from mercedes benz, fiat, and mopar got in the way here and there.

Try Lucas oil modifier for low viscosity engine oil engines. That stuff will quite the valve train.
https://www.amazon.com/Lucas-Low-Viscosity-Oil-Stabilizer/dp/B07NHDP2DQ

I had to use this on my Ram hemi motor, which is VVT and variable active cylinder.

Most valve train noise is a direct result of low viscosity needed to improve MPG. All they want is for you to get out of warranty, if you don't get 200,000 miles off the motor, they don't care, so either add the modifier, or increase the viscosity.

My 2018 JLUR with v6 is pretty quite and does not need thicker oil nor the modifier.

My 2013 335I went totally quite when I changed form 0-20 to 5w40.

Not saying what is happening to you with your noise is right, but I have had 5 of these pentastar motors since 2012 and say the internals are by far pretty good, with great output for size. I lived through the 2012 recall for heads/bad castings, and ended up with a 2013. Put 70,000 silent miles on that and beat it like a rented mule on the trails.

BTW, 26 psi or 29 psi=not a measurable difference, to my knowledge the valve train does not monitor pressure that closely.

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[Tncdrew]

Sure, in a different engine. The 3.6 when new should idle at 29-31 and hit 75 within a few seconds when RPM exceeds 3500. There should be no noticeable difference in oil pressure from 1k-3499RPM. It is electronically regulated.

I encourage you to read the chart in post #130

 

[azjl#3]

At the end of the day, does it really matter where it was made or assembled…… I know I don’t give two squirts of piss about it, because I know there ain’t a damn thing I can do about it. The 3.6 is the noisiest engine I’ve ever owned, and it’s also one of the best engines I’ve ever owned……

All I know is, my 2018 Ram 3.6 work truck just hit 100K miles and I haven’t done anything to it except oil changes……..Hoping my jeep follows suit…..

I would say the 3.6 is average to modern day overhead varable valve engines. My wifes Grand Cherokee is stone cold silent at idle, I parked my JL next to hers and turned mine on, soft pur from mine. Opened hoods, hers was just as loud as mine, but the hood is much better insulated on a cherokee. The JL is a rattle can of an engine compartment.

 

[mwilk012]

I encourage you to read the chart in post #130

I know exactly how this engine works.

 

[Roky]

I would say the 3.6 is average to modern day overhead varable valve engines. My wifes Grand Cherokee is stone cold silent at idle, I parked my JL next to hers and turned mine on, soft pur from mine. Opened hoods, hers was just as loud as mine, but the hood is much better insulated on a cherokee. The JL is a rattle can of an engine compartment.

Yeah, you can’t hear my Ram at all, but the Rubi sounds like an old singer sewing machine…….. I contribute it to the Ram takes 6 quarts of oil………? … Before all you serious brothers on the warpath in here come at me……… I’m kidding………..?

 

[JJMalone]

2020 JLR Pentastar, a little over 131,000 Miles, never a problem. Name another truck engine that has variable valve lift......No, not variable valve timing, variable valve lift. One of the reasons the Pentastar is such a great engine. I have owned a 3.5 tacoma and 4.0 4Runner. The JLR way out performs both of these motors and the toys had recalls and other problems and the Jeep has had none.

 

[TorturedMargot]

I had the 3.6L V6 Pentastar in my '18 Challenger SXT. It was a fantastic engine. Never made any weird noises or ticks. Ran Pennzoil Platinum and it was an unbelievably smooth engine. Made decent power with upgraded coilpacks and a K&N Typhoon CAI system. Still not quite as mean as my R/T Charger, but not far behind.

I like the 2.0T in my Jeep, but there are things about the Pentastar that I miss.

Maybe God is punishing the OP for "pricing out a 4Runner" as he mentioned in his earlier posts. Jeep life ain't for everybody.

 

[Kyanche]

The Jeep is my 3rd vehicle to have a chrysler 3.6 but it's the first to have the 'pug' version. Compared to the 3.6 my JK wrangler had, the one in my JL is noisy as fuck and vibrates hard at idle (especially when the AC is on). I've really been meaning to get that checked out and for whatever stupid reason haven't yet. Luckily I bought the extended warranty....

Going to get it checked in the next week or so, because my steering makes a concerning noise now when I turn the wheel.

 

[AFD]

Its perfectly clear what I was saying, and sums up what could be a much longer discussion on government policy, tax rates, work ethic, and frankly, any longer on this and the kids are likely to strike this whole thread as somehow “political”.

If you watch the video of the pentastar build, it’s the American plant and it will reduce faith in the product considerably.

Yeah dude, it wasn't. I'm sorry, but I honesty haven't gotten the point of most everything you've said to me all night. However, I do understand if you were trying to be somewhat reserved or slightly cryptic to avoid any potential discussion that could be construed as 'political'. I get that, and that's obviously not welcome here, which is something I do appreciate about JLWF

Anyway, I watched both the Mack Ave plant builds (2017, LINK) and the South Trenton plant builds (2016, LINK) and both seem perfectly fine for a semi-automated assembly line and neither swayed my opinion in a negative manner. Then again, I've never built an engine or had a video camera in my face while I was working. Nor could I find a video of the Saltillo plant builds to compare, though I'm sure they're comparable. And obviously, none of these mass-produced builds will ever compare to the time, care and attention that a small shop can put into building or rebuilding a single engine with a completely different process.

Are you maybe referring to the video of the 13 workers from the old Jefferson plant that were fired for drinking and smoking weed on their lunch breaks back in 2010?

In any case, my entire point wasn't that one engine's origin or its workers were necessarily of better or worse quality than the other, only that I personally felt it was bullshit to slap a US flag on the side of a very iconic American vehicle with historical roots going back over 80 years, while a large portion of the parts and labor are now from Mexico (starting back in 2018, iirc). If a Kia's engine is built in France, who tf really cares? Now stick a German motor in a Harley and see how well it continues to sell in the US. It's just perspective and traditionalism I guess.

 

[TaiMc]

Well we will see on Tuesday when we compare the ECM data verses actual pressure. Still doesn't fix the bleeding lifters though and what I am guessing is cold start spark knock.

This thread is an interesting read...

Holla at us when you figure out what's up with it or when you receive the ECM data analysis/test. ?

 

[roaniecowpony]

It’s not “wrong” per se, but it’s not helpful or correct either. If you have a pentastar engine idling at 7 psi I can absolutely guarantee you that engine has significant internal damage and will be put in limp mode as soon as you attempt to accelerate.

The 3.6 is one of the only engines our shop will even bother to rebuild, and if we put one together that idles at less than 25 psi were pulling it back out to tear it down or replace it.

Well, this really is the crux of all this banter, isn't it? Anyone that has the brains god gave a frog knows that 6 psi is not worth a crap. But yet, there it is in black and white and that will be the party line held by dealers when customers point out low oil pressure.... not much different than when customers complain about high oil consumption. Most manufacturers say 500 miles to a quart is acceptable, yet nobody wants a car/truck that burns a quart every 500 miles.

 

[azjl#3]

The Jeep is my 3rd vehicle to have a chrysler 3.6 but it's the first to have the 'pug' version. Compared to the 3.6 my JK wrangler had, the one in my JL is noisy as fuck and vibrates hard at idle (especially when the AC is on). I've really been meaning to get that checked out and for whatever stupid reason haven't yet. Luckily I bought the extended warranty....

Going to get it checked in the next week or so, because my steering makes a concerning noise now when I turn the wheel.

All of my jeep 3.6's had/have an odd vibration at idle if shut down and let to sit then restarted during hot times. Hot like over 100f. . Goes away after it runs awhile. The dynamics of the ECU getting it back into drive mode is best I figure.

 

[azjl#3]

Yeah dude, it wasn't. I'm sorry, but I honesty haven't gotten the point of most everything you've said to me all night. However, I do understand if you were trying to be somewhat reserved or slightly cryptic to avoid any potential discussion that could be construed as 'political'. I get that, and that's obviously not welcome here, which is something I do appreciate about JLWF

Anyway, I watched both the Mack Ave plant builds (2017, LINK) and the South Trenton plant builds (2016, LINK) and both seem perfectly fine for a semi-automated assembly line and neither swayed my opinion in a negative manner. Then again, I've never built an engine or had a video camera in my face while I was working. Nor could I find a video of the Saltillo plant builds to compare, though I'm sure they're comparable. And obviously, none of these mass-produced builds will ever compare to the time, care and attention that a small shop can put into building or rebuilding a single engine with a completely different process.

Are you maybe referring to the video of the 13 workers from the old Jefferson plant that were fired for drinking and smoking weed on their lunch breaks back in 2010?

In any case, my entire point wasn't that one engine's origin or its workers were necessarily of better or worse quality than the other, only that I personally felt it was bullshit to slap a US flag on the side of a very iconic American vehicle with historical roots going back over 80 years, while a large portion of the parts and labor are now from Mexico (starting back in 2018, iirc). If a Kia's engine is built in France, who tf really cares? Now stick a German motor in a Harley and see how well it continues to sell in the US. It's just perspective and traditionalism I guess.

Point to ponder, My hand built 2000 E46 M3 motor an N54, hand assembled. Guess what, bearing recall at 20,000miles, main caps not torqued correctly/defective bearing material.

If it is mechanical, "stuff happens".

 

[Petey]

Why doesn’t it have an anti drain valve? Seems like an anti drain valve would be one of the most important parts of an engine. Anyone know what the 3.6 doesn’t need one? I have installed filters with failing valves and man you can really hear those dry parts move until they get their lube.

U wouldn't want to have anti drain back valve on this engine ..especially considering where the filter is located u would end up with a giant oil mess every time u unscrewed the housing. Stupid design but chrysler is known for doing stuff like this .. and for no good reason too

 

[AFD]

Point to ponder, My hand built 2000 E46 M3 motor an N54, hand assembled. Guess what, bearing recall at 20,000miles, main caps not torqued correctly/defective bearing material.

If it is mechanical, "stuff happens".

Very true, and looking at your avatar, at least it wasn't a jet engine failure!

Unfortunately, anything built, designed or programmed by man can potentially be flawed at any step of the process.

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