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Early JL owners (18-19), a question please about your rigs reliability so far

J0E

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It's not mentioned on the forum very often and when it is it's related to becoming detached while a lift is being installed.
It happened right after my lift. My mechanic told me to make sure he reconnected the lines. I checked and they were connected. What's the connection to a lift?

I made an appointment to the dealer. I'll remove my 1.75" spacers and 37's and put on the set of 31's wheels/tires I picked up.
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Steph1

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I went through the same thing in 2018. Decided to bank it and never had to use it.

I found that the few things the went wrong, did so in the first 2 years of ownership. Never had a problem since.

Second of all, the longer your warranty, the longer Jeep has you by the balls with the modifications you can do.

Maintain your Jeep right and it will live a long time.

Only way I would get one is with the 4Xe.
 

58Willys

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2018 JL w/ 3.6 and 6 speed; 30k. No issues. Steering has always been tight, at least for a Jeep. Had the recalls done. Performed all my own maintenance, including replacing both batteries as they were getting weak. No complaints.
Well, I guess I spoke too soon. Rear window defogger wire broke yesterday. Out of warrant, so I’ll try soldering it.
 

TaiMc

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It failed a block test. They believe I have a cracked, warped or blown head gasket because I kept getting misfires on cylinders and exhaust gasses are escaping into my coolant system. They said they have changed a few 3.6s as of late due to head problems.
*LONG POST*

I’m with you on this. Same situation happened to my engine and with no warning lights/codes.

- In March I noticed the jeep idling rough when parked. I looked at the temp gauge and the needle went one tick above the medium mark. I shut the jeep off immediately. Popped the hood and i could see no coolant in the reservoir! I waited 6hrs then had a friend take me to get coolant. I filled the reservoir within specs and the jeep ran fine. Never did I receive a high temp warning or low coolant light.

- I informed my mechanic and he told me to bring it in soon bc apparently I had a coolant leak but there was no puddles under the jeep.

- couple months later I received an auto start/stop light (idling was rough) when I cranked the jeep (after it sat overnight). I knew it couldn’t be a battery issue bc I replaced the auxiliary battery myself a few months back. I would turn the jeep off then back on and the light would disappear. I drove it this way maybe a total of 4 times. No engine light.

- I was able to take the jeep to the dealer bc I saw the auto start/stop light come on. First the mechanic thought my egr cooler failed. At this time my jeep was at the dealer for 5 days and they predicted another 5 days before the part could arrive (this was not covered under my warranty).

- I was able to take the jeep to another dealer. They checked the egr cooler and it was fine. Then they said I had blown my gaskets. You can imagine how shocked i was to hear this. I received no temp warning light…no low coolant light…nothing to make me think the engine overheated. There wasn’t even a burning smell. No engine light.

- upon more inspection, their engine specialist discovered coolant in my cylinders which were now warped! So now, my engine must be replaced at 61k miles. It is at the dealer now.

Now, some of you know of me…and you know I am not the type of person who doesnt pay attention to my vehicle. I do a lot of maintenance work on the jeep. How was I able to have my cylinders warped without the jeep notifying me??? The only reason I knew something was weird was because the jeep began to idle rough when i was parked. And the needle never hit the red zone. How and when did my cylinders warp?? How could my engine get that hot and not have lights and dings go off? Lol. Faulty temperature sensor maybe?? I had one of those replaced at 13k miles. Maybe the 2nd one also gave out?

The silver lining is that when I bought my jeep in 2018 (it was made to order for me btw…I didn’t get it off the lot), I also purchased the new added care plus extended warranty (lifetime/unlimited mileage). This warranty is the only reason that I’m getting a new engine replacement for $100 (my deductible).

I paid the jeep off in December, so I’m only out $100.

Had I not paid my jeep off 3yrs early and had i not purchased my EW (they no longer offer the lifetime & unlimited mileage warranty combo) I would seriously be in a financial bind as factory warranty for the engine gave put at 60k miles, iirc.

I will always purchase an extended warranty. Always.

If anyone has a slow coolant leak and you can’t find out where it’s going, along with the engine idling rough…you might have engine damage. Get it looked at.
 
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TaiMc

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I’m in a similar boat as you. I posted earlier in this thread. My 2019 JLUR with 52k started having misfire issues took it in and they performed a block test as well due to erratic engine temps. It failed the block test. So now my Jeep is sitting at the dealership waiting on an engine. They have no ETA on an replacement engine. Was told it could range from a month up to six:headbang:. FWIW since my engine failure with mine that left me stranded 10 hours from home I have been tracking JL 3.6 engine failures for the last 2 weeks because I like data. There have been 5 thus far. I have had the highest mileage failure with 52K. The others have ranged from 45K down to under 10K. So when an EW is offered go for it.
Mine gave out at 61k. Thankfully the dealer already had a brand new engine there on site to install in my jeep. What does that say? The engine specialist got annoyed having to explain everything to me but he sounded like a broken record. I asked him how often has he seen it happen with this engine. He replied: “often”.
 

SavannahAL

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I don't want to hijack this thread but I had overheating problems that didn't throw a code that might interest you:

I explained in detail in a thread under = Power - 3.6L Pentastar Power & Engine Exhaust, titled "Lowered My JL 3.6L Coolant Operating Temp"

Granted, my head gasket problem seemed minor compared to some other members.

I apologize, I don't know how to do links, I'm not very good with a computer.
 

slowcrawlerZJ

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Mine gave out at 61k. Thankfully the dealer already had a brand new engine there on site to install in my jeep. What does that say? The engine specialist got annoyed having to explain everything to me but he sounded like a broken record. I asked
him how often has he seen it happen with this engine. He replied: “often”.
Wow your whole situation sounds almost exactly like mine. The dealership finally got to my Jeep this past week and yanked off a head and low and behold blown head gasket from first glance. They didn’t bother removing the other side because it’s toast. I’m thankful and it’s wild that I drove it on 10 hour trip across 2 states in triple degree outside temps and the moment I arrived in Colorado it just gave it up. My new engine arrived yesterday. Jeep Cares has been on top of my situation so it’s been a dual effort with my service advisor as well. Take pics of your Jeep to log any damage that could potentially happen while it’s sitting and waiting. Hope they get you taken care of and back on the road soon.

1482AE6A-B842-4A08-AA90-8EC59E7874E1.jpeg
 

slowcrawlerZJ

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To shed a little more light for anyone thinking about an extended warranty. With TaiMc’s engine failing now that makes 6, 3.6 engines in the last 4 weeks that have failed and made known on this site. Sure it’s a small percentage given the amount of Jeep sales but you never know what can wrong. If TaiMc would have not purchased an extended warranty that would have been about a 15k bill for an engine. Where as extended warranty may cost you $2500 over the term. It’s a peace of mind considering the majority of JL models have not peaked over 80k in mileage.
 
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TaiMc

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To shed a little more light for anyone thinking about an extended warranty. With TaiMc’s engine failing now that makes 6, 3.6 engines in the last 4 weeks that have failed and made known on this site. Sure it’s a small percentage given the amount of Jeep sales but you never know what can wrong. If TaiMc would have not purchased an extended warranty that would have been about a 15k bill for an engine. Where as extended warranty may cost you $2500 over the term. It’s a peace of mind considering the majority of JL models have not peaked over 80k in mileage.
YES! My EW was around $3600 at the time I purchased my jeep. I had it “baked in” with my monthly payments. Since I paid the jeep off in 41 months instead of 72 months, the EW cost $87/month.

As you mentioned, the $15k bill I would likely have to pay would need to be paid immediately, once work was completed. Essentially my EW has paid for a new block with a payment plan of $87/mo.

Imo there is no better option. I knew going in that since the JL was a new model, that it would have problems. So, for me, it logically made sense to get an EW. I mean, I pay more in auto insurance (monthly) than I did for it. Best money I’ve spent.

And it felt wonderful when the dealership called and told me that the engine would be replaced because I have a service contract. There was no arguing or trying to explain my “case”. They looked up my VIN and the information was there.

Also, the EW covers 5 days of a rental totaling to $175. This is great because, you could use their coverage and then use the rental coverage from your auto insurance if you need a car longer than 5 days.

I must say my experience with my dealership has been amazing. Their reassurances have kept me calm and relaxed. I asked specifically if the engine would be refurbished or new…I was told “brand new”.

Again, how else can you get a brand new engine for ~$3600 with a payment plan???

And if you have a great engine with no issues and never have to use your EW…what’s $87/mo? That’s less than my gym membership…less than my grocery bills, less than my cellphone bill a month lol.

But if you do have problems, the EW could save you thousands that would be need to be paid immediately after work was completed.
 

TaiMc

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Wow your whole situation sounds almost exactly like mine. The dealership finally got to my Jeep this past week and yanked off a head and low and behold blown head gasket from first glance. They didn’t bother removing the other side because it’s toast. I’m thankful and it’s wild that I drove it on 10 hour trip across 2 states in triple degree outside temps and the moment I arrived in Colorado it just gave it up. My new engine arrived yesterday. Jeep Cares has been on top of my situation so it’s been a dual effort with my service advisor as well. Take pics of your Jeep to log any damage that could potentially happen while it’s sitting and waiting. Hope they get you taken care of and back on the road soon.

Jeep Wrangler JL Early JL owners (18-19), a question please about your rigs reliability so far 1482AE6A-B842-4A08-AA90-8EC59E7874E1
Great advice! I have my pics of my jeep…ill do a thorough walk-around before leaving the lot. But honestly l, even if I get a few scratches, I’ll be fine bc I miss Lil’ Hulk terribly lol. It’s almost like waiting for him to be rebuilt again like when I first ordered it lol.

I’m also thankful that I’m saving money on fuel as well and that I’m able to work from home without having to drive to work. My patience is the only thing “taking a hit”…but tbh only good things are coming out of this situation so far!

I’m ecstatic to hear that you and your family made it safely and that your new engine just arrived!!!! So excitinggg! Please post once it’s been installed so we all can have positive/happy vibez! 💯💯💯💯
 

The Fixer

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Yikes, I hate reading stories like these; I feel terrible for the ones who have had trouble! Ours are still in the low mileage category, but here's where we are at.

My wife's '18 JLU Sport S 3.6/auto has 33K miles on it, we ordered it at the end of March of '18 and it was delivered in early May. Outside of the usual routine maintenance (oil changes/tire rotations and diff fluid) we had to replace the OEM batteries last summer. Also, the wire broke for the rear defroster on the hardtop, but we leave the soft top on most of the year. Otherwise (knock on wood) it's been very good to us.

My '18 Sport 2.0/auto has 22K miles on it now. I got it new in July of '19 as a leftover. Outside of routine maintenance, there was an issue with the wiring for the passenger seat airbag that was repaired under warranty. The first time when it was a few days old, then the code came back the following summer (2020) and it was repaired again. Also the passenger visor fell out, which I fixed with some of the info from the forum. Other than that (again, knock wood) it's been good.
 

jac1966

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AT 86k miles (99% highway miles) , my 2018 JLUR started idling rough and throwing P0304 Cylinder #4 misfire code as well as an occasional Auto Start/Stop disable warning. My Dealership has been troubleshooting the problem for several weeks. They replace #4 coil pack and all new spark plugs, a radiator hose with a minor leak, swapped fuel injectors to see if problem followed injector or stayed with cylinder. Stayed with #4 cylinder. Compression test passed. Bore scope showed minor carbon buildup on all cylinders except #4 was clean as a whistle. pulled head and found cracked engine block. I also have Mopar Max Care lifetime/unlimited mile warranty. Adjuster inspected it 2 days ago and I am waiting to hear the results. I have had the oil changed and tires rotated religiously every 5000 miles and all other recommended service at this same Dealership.
 

Unheard

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2019 JLU, bought at 27k miles. Just over 30k and ran into some issues detailed in this post.

After action report here.
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