Most Reliable Engine

[TikiRick]

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

Like my third grade teacher used to say..."listen to what I mean, not what I say!" You are correct...I meant lift, not timing! Just corrected it...thank you!

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[ASSFROW]

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

Gimme that F1 tech!!!

You mean like the cars that get a new engine after every use???

 

[Terrymo]

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

 

[acsak]

Just hit 100k miles on a ‘19 JL 3.6. I wheel pretty hard, do lots of long road trips up and down the west coast, Death Valley is in my backyard so I enjoy multi-day desert runs in high heat conditions, mountain driving in snow for ski season, daily driver in the city for commuting.

I’ve had zero issues with this vehicle. I volunteer with a 4x4 rescue community and have full faith in the vehicle, its capabilities and reliability.

For context, I bought the vehicle at 6,600 miles and have changed oil every 7,000 miles with a Blackstone oil/TBN analysis every time.

An oil analysis can tell you a lot about the health of the engine and how it’s been maintained. May be a good idea for you to do as a pre-buy inspection item, especially since you’re looking at a used engine.

 

[Guv]

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.

The best anecdotal data I have seen on here was from a member that worked at an auto salvage yard that said he saw far more 3.6’s go out than 2.0’s. I guess he knew what type of vehicle they were going into? I am of the opinion that sheety or no maintenance is the biggest enemy of either engine. I also feel fortunate that my gently used, well documented maintenance, bought used 18 has the 2.0.

 

[WillysMeow]

16-18 jk will probably be the most reliable.

Yeah my friend's 2017 Rubicon JK has been good for him.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Cuz they knew you'd be back for repairs.

Or they know the oil cooler on the JK 3.6L was a ticking time bomb.

 

[ASSFROW]

Or they know the oil cooler on the JK 3.6L was a ticking time bomb.

LOL A leaking main seal, valve covers and broken oil cooler would still use les oil than an average 3.8 and I raise you exploding spark plugs and dualling cylinder misses oh and a radiator.

 

[NPC 20883467]

...Any insight will be greatly appreciated!

My own independent research, which specifically excludes fan bois forum screeching, indicates that of the JK & JL generations, the most reliable one is the '10-'11 with the 3.8 and manual transmission.

A low-mileage specimen will be my next move once I get the issues of this current POS straightened out and sent down the road.

 

[c20040215]

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!

Sounds like a gen 5 4runner is the perfect replacement for 06 Liberty. If you take care of the basic maintenance, it will outlast you even if you live past 95. Your kids may still want to keep it afterwards.

 

[Guv]

People just going by the dashboards oil life monitor are in my opinion more likely the ones with the majority of the oil related failures. That and not switching to 5-30 on the 3.6.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

LOL A leaking main seal, valve covers and broken oil cooler would still use les oil than an average 3.8 and I raise you exploding spark plugs and dualling cylinder misses oh and a radiator.

You got me with the radiator. We did have to replace that on the 3.8L JKU. I think that had more to do with the mud in the fins than the engine though.

 

[ASSFROW]

You got me with the radiator. We did have to replace that on the 3.8L JKU. I think that had more to do with the mud in the fins than the engine though.

Pretty much everyone I know had to replace theirs. They all got pin leaks, no idea why, but I think the JK 3.8 radiator pushed Mishimoto from the red to the black.

 

[Remorseless]

You got me with the radiator. We did have to replace that on the 3.8L JKU. I think that had more to do with the mud in the fins than the engine though.

But why do people willingly play in mud...

 

[yokramer]

But why do people willingly play in mud...

Poor education

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