Need help. Engine choices. 4cyl turbo?

[73TAWM]

I will also say that I have taken my 2.0 off roading and in the CO mountains and I did notice at times the engine would periodically run loud like the fan was kicking on. Mainly when I would run very slow speeds. Not sure if that's an issue or just what it does to protect itself. Also very happy that I went Automatic instead of manual. Not sure how those guys do it while crawling.

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[Hennessey17]

I have the 2.0…. the car I traded in was a VW Tiguan with the 2.0 TSI…. It was very easy to research potential problems and concerns. I’ve searched for years for problems with both the Alfa version and the Jeep version and I couldn’t find any. I also want to stress that I loathe Chrysler and have thought their quality is shit for most of my life.

I religiously followed the manualand changed all the fluids aggressively on the Tiguan and traded it in with 162k miles and still running very well.

Im at 20k miles with no problems with the Jeep.

It’s a European turbo engine, so take care of it… but wouldn’t hesitate to get another one.

 

[openingshok]

Dam! Sorry to hear of the accident hope yr better. Thanks and I appreciate the real world info. The mpg or gas saving or cost isn’t an issue. I’m was so close to order a MT but there was a restriction on it till end of august maybe it was divine intervention. ?‍ good luck a drive safe

Thanks. After 4 months I'm walking albeit crooked and painfully but since I should have been dead I'm not complaining! FWIW I love manual transmissions so this one was so disappointing.

 

[Chupacabra]

I will also say that I have taken my 2.0 off roading and in the CO mountains and I did notice at times the engine would periodically run loud like the fan was kicking on. Mainly when I would run very slow speeds. Not sure if that's an issue or just what it does to protect itself. Also very happy that I went Automatic instead of manual. Not sure how those guys do it while crawling.

Yeah the cooling fan is loud, but I suspect the 3.6 must have one as well. Slow crawling will require the fan to come on from time to time.

 

[jjvincent]

I’m waiting for the guy to post the gif of someone beating the horse ?

It'll show up. It always does.

 

[Da Capt]

First time Jeep owner, second 4 banger turbo engine. I have a 4 cyl turbo in our 2019 Kia optima and it made a believer out of me, that sumb!tch is fast!
I did a lot of research before I purchased my 21 Rubicon and was planning on getting an older model 6 cyl because I wanted to be able to pull a trailer or bass boat but I also have an older model Chevy Silverado (99) for pulling. As soon as I looked at a JL it was all over. On the way to KC to pick up a 2019 Jl manual, a four hour trip with an hour to go they called and said they couldn't sell it to me. Turned out it was bogus info but thankfully it caused me to detour and I ran across a brand new 21 in sarge green with the 2.0 for another 5 grand (4 after I got them down). I am in love with the thing! Before the add on mod weight I was getting 22 mpg, now with the added steel bumpers, winch, 37s, lift, I am at about 18-19. Not great but it's a Jeep and I am happy with it. The 2.0 has been fantastic, a little too fast for a Jeep but I like being able to go if I need to. Most of my buddies were all "you better watch that turbo and change the oil more often than it says" causing me a little concern but after 2 years I am happy with it. I don't plan on pulling anything with it or dragging something to the mountains but if I do it'll be one of those little overlanding campers. I am thinking that if I trade up to a newer year or one with a Sky Touch roof that I'll go with the 6 cyl but that will be just for the pulling extra weight. Might not be a thing to be worried about but it's on my mind. If you're not pulling anything, should be safe with the 2.0.

Why in the hell did I go on and on about all that? Just to show the v6 and v8 guys that I really don't know anything. Just dropping my opinion. Anybody can mess up an engine and as long as man is putting them together, they are bound to screw something up once in a while. If you buy the 2.0 and hate it, you'll have no problem selling it.

Thanks a lot I appreciate yr help , like u said no matter how long u went on n on. That’s what I was looking for people with actual experience with the 4 banger. Most of the people who bash it don’t even own it , go figure. I don’t plan to tow at all if ever maybe a small trailer with a motorcycle but I have my pick up for that. How often do u change the oil? Every 3 or 5k miles??

 

[Da Capt]

I will also say that I have taken my 2.0 off roading and in the CO mountains and I did notice at times the engine would periodically run loud like the fan was kicking on. Mainly when I would run very slow speeds. Not sure if that's an issue or just what it does to protect itself. Also very happy that I went Automatic instead of manual. Not sure how those guys do it while crawling.

Thanks! I’m not worried about crawling with the MT my issue was stop n go traffic ?

 

[Da Capt]

Thanks. After 4 months I'm walking albeit crooked and painfully but since I should have been dead I'm not complaining! FWIW I love manual transmissions so this one was so disappointing.

True I’ll take walking crooked instead of dead any day. Wish u a good recovery take it slow ?

 

[73TAWM]

Thanks a lot I appreciate yr help , like u said no matter how long u went on n on. That’s what I was looking for people with actual experience with the 4 banger. Most of the people who bash it don’t even own it , go figure. I don’t plan to tow at all if ever maybe a small trailer with a motorcycle but I have my pick up for that. How often do u change the oil? Every 3 or 5k miles??

Normally with every vehicle I have owned, I would change it every 3000 but when I switched to synthetic, I changed every 5000. My manual for the Jeep just says to change it when the light comes on at 10,000 miles. Seriously? No kidding. It's hard for me to do that but I now have 30,000 miles on it and I have used the three complimentary Jeep Wave oil changes. I go about 7000 to 8000 and the oil still looks good, I just can't go 10,000. I will be changing it myself now that the free ones are gone, and I'll likely go back to synthetic every 5000.

I'll probably be back on here reading what guys are using for oil.

 

[Da Capt]

Normally with every vehicle I have owned, I would change it every 3000 but when I switched to synthetic, I changed every 5000. My manual for the Jeep just says to change it when the light comes on at 10,000 miles. Seriously? No kidding. It's hard for me to do that but I now have 30,000 miles on it and I have used the three complimentary Jeep Wave oil changes. I go about 7000 to 8000 and the oil still looks good, I just can't go 10,000. I will be changing it myself now that the free ones are gone, and I'll likely go back to synthetic every 5000.

I'll probably be back on here reading what guys are using for oil.

Thanks agagin

 

[Koryluke]

I have a gladiator and 2.0 JLU. Im really enjoying the 4cyl. Both are around 50k miles. Currently driving the jlu because my jt is in the shop.. imo the 4cyl is a better driving experience. Im in La getting 18-20mpg on stock tires.

 

[Da Capt]

Thanks for the comparison. Seems like everyone who has the 4cyl say same thing about it being a better driving experience. My ch appreciated

 

[SCJeeps]

Get what you want! I think the 2.0 is more fun to drive.

In my case I didn’t want etorque and that meant in that year the 2.0 turbo.

If you were buying with the intention of keeping it forever then I would choose the 3.6. Otherwise I’d get the 2.0. Let me also disclose I come from the traditional no replacement for displacement camp and all of our other vehicles are V-8s. The 2.0 is great, it pushes the Jeep along at 80 with ease.

 

[Da Capt]

Get what you want! I think the 2.0 is more fun to drive.

In my case I didn’t want etorque and that meant in that year the 2.0 turbo.

If you were buying with the intention of keeping it forever then I would choose the 3.6. Otherwise I’d get the 2.0. Let me also disclose I come from the traditional no replacement for displacement camp and all of our other vehicles are V-8s. The 2.0 is great, it pushes the Jeep along at 80 with ease.

Thanks I’m glad they don’t have the e torque in the 4cyl no longer. I always said I would keep my Jeeps forever and yet I had a bunch of different one. Maybe in a few years I’ll trade the turbo for different one ?‍ appreciate yr help.

 

[Jbudz511]

2nd jeep owner but coming from a 4.0. i was pleasantly surprised with the 2.0! I stumbled upon a sarge green jlu that checked all the boxes but it had the 2.0 and i was worried about reliability, etc etc. As others have mentioned it's been in service overall for almost 10 yrs at this point and in the jl for 6, it seems to be performing well.

As others have also mentioned the oil change intervals. I had been using Blackstone UOAs on the XJ as i was coming back from a head crack/rebuild so i was monitoring wear from that and will do a few on this so i can see how things are progressing. ~5k seems to be the generally agreed upon oci for these engines despite the service manual stating longer. I have no problem changing oil a little sooner, cheap insurance relatively speaking.

Also some people go on and on about octane etc. I've run 87 since i got it (almost 10k miles already) and no issue. I've been tempted to put 91 in to see but gas prices have crept up a bit lately so that's been enough for me to stick with what I'm doing lol.

I like the snappy performance and the turbo sounds have grown on me. It's a noisy engine on startup but quiets down fast. I haven't second guessed my decision since the test drive lol. The 3.6 is good too and had some refinements as well. I don't think you can wrong either way if you're on the fence unless you spend most of your time at altitude and with mods, then I'd say turbo all the way.

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