Most Reliable Engine

[Jeep Wick]

I'm getting ready to replace my tired '06 Liberty with a '10 to '18 Wrangler. I'm hearing about reliability issues from both the 3.8 and 3.6 camps.

My Wrangler is going to live most of its remaining days this side of the salvage yard as a street ride. I'm 65 now and disabled so I'm not real excited about the idea of crawling around in the mud hole I just buried my Jeep to the frame in, and Rick Murphy, Matt Wetzel, Paul Cox, and Rory Irish don't come to Indiana to rescue knuckle heads.

I'm just a little gun shy about both engines now because once I buy something, I run it until it won't run anymore, and buying new is COMPLETELY out of my reach!

Any insight will be greatly appreciated!

FWIW, it seems the ones with bad cams have made themselves known quickly. Everyone else is getting along just fine. I just turned 60k on my 22, it's been great. If you read enough, every engine has it's weaknesses. Modern vehicles are not built to last, but regular maintenance will serve you well.

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[kah.mun.rah]

regular maintenance will serve you well.

Exactly this. For a used Wrangler, the number of past oil changes probably means more than the number of liters in the engine size when it comes to reliability.

 

[Atomic-Mouse]

I got my JK new in 2010 and the motor has never been touched. Other than oil changes it hasn’t cost me anything, doesn’t burn a drop of oil. Still runs and idles quieter than both of my new Jeeps. The 3.8 is a bit of a dog but after a 4.88 regear she does pretty well on 35s. I still drive my JK more than both of the JLs combined.

 

[JINO]

Whatever you do, stay away from the 3.0

 

[basemodel]

I wouldn’t hesitate to run a Jeep with the 3.6, provided it was maintained well. It seems like a lot of the cam issues stem from crappy drive cycles combined with extended oil change intervals. I’ve had two delivery vans (2012 and 2016) go to 300k with the 3.6, and my mom had another van (2011) go to 200k before she sold it. My ‘21 JL has 104k on the clock now.

All of them needed the oil filter housing replaced, but other than that there hasn’t been an issue besides maybe valve cover gaskets, but that’s to be expected on any engine with that kind of mileage. Shoot, I don’t think the delivery vans ever had spark plugs changed now that I think about it. The 3.6 overall has been a very dependable engine!

 

[azjl#3]

16-18 jk will probably be the most reliable.

which oddly in my later years will probably be the choice for a 392 swap. My 15 was solid.

 

[Sportacus]

This of course is complete nonsense

 

[Fatfreewilly]

2015-2018 is the best 3.6 engine for the JK.

2012-2014 had some casting block issues.

Change the oil every 5k, floor it every once in a while, and it'll run like a top.

 

[Ramboy]

I'm getting ready to replace my tired '06 Liberty with a '10 to '18 Wrangler. I'm hearing about reliability issues from both the 3.8 and 3.6 camps.

My Wrangler is going to live most of its remaining days this side of the salvage yard as a street ride. I'm 65 now and disabled so I'm not real excited about the idea of crawling around in the mud hole I just buried my Jeep to the frame in, and Rick Murphy, Matt Wetzel, Paul Cox, and Rory Irish don't come to Indiana to rescue knuckle heads.

I'm just a little gun shy about both engines now because once I buy something, I run it until it won't run anymore, and buying new is COMPLETELY out of my reach!

Any insight will be greatly appreciated!

I’ve had both. In terms of reliability, my 2010 Rubicon with the 3.8 gave me no problems but it was short on power as that engine was the old minivan engine Chrysler put into that early JK vintage. The 3.6 I had in my 2012 JK Rubicon was reliable and had more power than the 3.8 as well; but I traded it for my first JL rubicon in 2018. I’ve heard the first year 3.6 pentastar (2012) had some issues which were mitigated in later years but I had no issues. I have a last year JK rubicon (2018) with the 3.6 and it’s been good.
P.S. Note: if you like to do your own oil changes the one thing I like about the 3.6 is ease of replacing the oil filter which is a plus since it is housed on top of the engine in the oil filter housing. Good luck. When you settle on one post some pics, we’d love to see your new baby.

 

[Terrymo]

Even if someone has owned six Jeeps and makes a recommendation, it’s still anecdotal in the overall scheme of things. This forum is also not necessarily indicative of what has happened with what must be approximately 5 million wranglers sold. Although the 3.6 vs 2.0 shit talking is fun (except to the people who get butt hurt) it would be nice if there was some actual data that took into account the majority of wranglers sold.

 

[yokramer]

Even if someone has owned six Jeeps and makes a recommendation, it’s still anecdotal in the overall scheme of things. This forum is also not necessarily indicative of what has happened with what must be approximately 5 million wranglers sold. Although the 3.6 vs 2.0 shit talking is fun (except to the people who get butt hurt) it would be nice if there was some actual data that took into account the majority of wranglers sold.

Its just makes it extra fun to those of us that dont get butthurt

 

[ASSFROW]

Probably not the one that the cams are wear items.

So the 3.8?

 

[ASSFROW]

Every mechanic that I took a JK to for a pre-purchase inspection referred the 3.8 as 'the good one' or as 'the one you want'.

Cuz they knew you'd be back for repairs.

 

[TikiRick]

I had 2 JKU's before my current Jeep...the '08 had the 3.8 and the '14 had the 3.6 (pre-variable valve lift). All of them have the 6 speed manual and all got Mobil 1 oil changes every 5k miles.

The '08 had 183k miles when I sold it for the '14...according to CARFAX, it's still going strong. The only thing it needed aside from normal maintenance was the oil cooler...they were known to crack and leak coolant after a while. It never felt underpowered until I drove the '14 with the 3.6.

The '14 had 130k miles on it when I sold it for the '21. Definitely more power than the 3.8 and the interior was nicer. I sold it when the headgasket started to leak exhaust into the cooling system. Otherwise, no complaints.

The '21 has the 3.6 w/variable valve timing. It's an Islander, so it was geared REALLY long...not a problem with stock sized tires, but we know how that goes. It's been good after regearing to 4.56 . The interior is a big step forward and the soft top is way easier to use than the JK.

 

[Remorseless]

I had 2 JKU's before my current Jeep...the '08 had the 3.8 and the '14 had the 3.6 (pre-variable valve timing). All of them have the 6 speed manual and all got Mobil 1 oil changes every 5k miles.

The '08 had 183k miles when I sold it for the '14...according to CARFAX, it's still going strong. The only thing it needed aside from normal maintenance was the oil cooler...they were known to crack and leak coolant after a while. It never felt underpowered until I drove the '14 with the 3.6.

The '14 had 130k miles on it when I sold it for the '21. Definitely more power than the 3.8 and the interior was nicer. I sold it when the headgasket started to leak exhaust into the cooling system. Otherwise, no complaints.

The '21 has the 3.6 w/variable valve timing. It's an Islander, so it was geared REALLY long...not a problem with stock sized tires, but we know how that goes. It's been good after regearing to 4.56 . The interior is a big step forward and the soft top is way easier to use than the JK.

FYI, the JK 3.6 had VVT (variable valve timing), but what it did not have was VVL (variable valve lift).

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