Ditch the 0w-20 before its too late.

[DaltonGang]

Since almost new, my 2018 JL started to have a ticking sound from the engine. It would develop into a clattering sound, like a diesel. This was when it was running low on oil. One quart and it went away. The clatter then was around almost all the time, especially when it was warmed up. Oil changes fixed it, temporarily, until it had a thousand or so miles on the 0w-20 oil(full synthetic). Reading every post on this issue was scary, Lifter/Cam failures all over the place. Many point to the oil contributing our 3.6 engine failures.
I also read articles on 0w-20 oil being too thin, getting past the rings, and slowly being burned off. Some said switch to 5w-30 oil. I decided to do just that. Instant silence from the engine. It purred like a kitten. Also, it doesn't burn any oil, anymore. No more ticking, or clattering. No more pondering catastrophic engine failures. It's been well over a year since the switch to 5w-30, and I wish I had done it after my first oil change.

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[BrierPatch]

Thanks for the info. I already went to 5W20 because that's what is spec'd for my 2015 WK2 3.6. I know there are a lot of differences in the 2 engines, but still felt safe doing it. I don't drive my JL in the winter/cold temps so that shouldn't be an issue. I've really wanted to step up to 5w30, but just haven't had the time to research it enough. Thanks for the post.

 

[multicam]

I’m moving to Anchorage, Alaska this summer so next winter I’ll have to deal with some real cold. Should I stick with 0w20 or step up to something heavier?

 

[Jeep Wick]

Since almost new, my 2018 JL started to have a ticking sound from the engine. It would develop into a clattering sound, like a diesel. This was when it was running low on oil. One quart and it went away. The clatter then was around almost all the time, especially when it was warmed up. Oil changes fixed it, temporarily, until it had a thousand or so miles on the 0w-20 oil(full synthetic). Reading every post on this issue was scary, Lifter/Cam failures all over the place. Many point to the oil contributing our 3.6 engine failures.
I also read articles on 0w-20 oil being too thin, getting past the rings, and slowly being burned off. Some said switch to 5w-30 oil. I decided to do just that. Instant silence from the engine. It purred like a kitten. Also, it doesn't burn any oil, anymore. No more ticking, or clattering. No more pondering catastrophic engine failures. It's been well over a year since the switch to 5w-30, and I wish I had done it after my first oil change.

I live in a warmer climate (usually). I've been using 5w30 and even 10w30 with good results. Not a fan of the 0w oil, I don't care what the 'experts' say.

 

[DaltonGang]

I’m moving to Anchorage, Alaska this summer so next winter I’ll have to deal with some real cold. Should I stick with 0w20 or step up to something heavier?

I don't know, ask people who live in colder climates. I live in the tropics of Houston. Research what the temp ratings of other weight oils are.

 

[CarbonSteel]

The number to the left of the "W" indicates its winter performance since the "W" stands for Winter and not Weight as typically misunderstood/misstated.

Before I sold my Wrangler, I ran 0W-30 year round in Colorado where we see negative double digits a number of times in the winter.

In reality, all oils are too thick at start up no matter what viscosity they are, but the Winter rating indicates how cold the temperatures can be and the oil still function properly.

It can depend on the brand and formulation, but most 5W-xx oils are good down to -30 to -35°F and likewise 0W-xx oils are good down to -40 to -45°F.

 

[Byrds8]

With so many engines in different vehicles calling for 0w20, it cant be completely horrible. A lot on this forum get UOA's religiously and use 0w20 and are showing no signs of excessive wear.

 

[NWJeepr]

3.6 failures aren't actually that common, but it does seem that 100% of failures make the owners angry and vocal--for good reason.

I was using 5w30 in my 3.6 when it failed. It had absolutely nothing to do with the oil.

 

[Carolina Jeeper]

I have a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan that has a 3.6 engine and it requires 5W 20 oil. I researched this engine and found that this engine is identical in bearing clearances to our JL 3.6 engines. They are basically the same engine.

Once I discovered this I started running 5W 20 in my Jeep and have had no issues.

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[Jeep Wick]

I’m moving to Anchorage, Alaska this summer so next winter I’ll have to deal with some real cold. Should I stick with 0w20 or step up to something heavier?

5w-30 is good to -30 degrees or more.

 

[Pape]

I was looking at a similar chart the other day and came to the conclusion that 0w40 was the best to cover 99% of the temperature swing up here, only problem it is only available in euro spec that is no where to be see in the owner manual

 

[CarbonSteel]

With so many engines in different vehicles calling for 0w20, it cant be completely horrible. A lot on this forum get UOA's religiously and use 0w20 and are showing no signs of excessive wear.

We have to keep "no signs of excessive wear" into context. UOAs can only see particles of a certain size range--particles above and below that range are "invisible" to a UOA.

With that said, UOAs are great tools to detect many things and with enough of them trending can happen. A UOA detected I had a coolant leak long before any conventional method could have.

 

[Byrds8]

We have to keep "no signs of excessive wear" into context. UOAs can only see particles of a certain size range--particles above and below that range are "invisible" to a UOA.

With that said, UOAs are great tools to detect many things and with enough of them trending can happen. A UOA detected I had a coolant leak long before any conventional method could have.

Agree. Just like I agree that everything that is done to build a vehicle isnt with longevity in mind. But I am not 100% sure that using 0w20 is going to kill the engine any faster or slower than a using a 0w30 or 5w30 etc oil. There are just so many other variables that are involved I dont think anyone could ever accurately say it was due to the oil like that.

 

[Barney392]

I was looking at a similar chart the other day and came to the conclusion that 0w40 was the best to cover 99% of the temperature swing up here, only problem it is only available in euro spec that is no where to be see in the owner manual

https://www.amazon.com/Pennzoil-550040856-6PK-Ultra-Platinum-Synthetic/dp/B00JMCCE6U?th=1

 

[CarbonSteel]

Agree. Just like I agree that everything that is done to build a vehicle isnt with longevity in mind. But I am not 100% sure that using 0w20 is going to kill the engine any faster or slower than a using a 0w30 or 5w30 etc oil. There are just so many other variables that are involved I dont think anyone could ever accurately say it was due to the oil like that.

My only thought is the temperatures in 3.6L engines (especially those Jeeps that have been modified) are much higher than stock and therefore, unmodified, 0W-20 is fine, modified, you probably need to think about increasing the viscosity.

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