3.8L yay or nay?

BABOOZLE

BABOOZLE

Caught the Bug
I've been looking at an 08' Rubicon with the 3.8 and I don't know much about that engine. I've heard a couple negative comments like oil consumption and low power. Is it a doable power plant or should it be avoided at all costs?
 
BABOOZLE

BABOOZLE

Caught the Bug
I've owned a 4.0, 2.5 and even a 1.3L in a Samurai. I don't need the Jeep to be a race car or tow 10k lbs. It's a Jeep and I just need it to be reliable and a solid performer.
 
mcsjk

mcsjk

New member
I've put 100,000 miles on my 3.8 and it has done everything I have needed it to do. It can eat oil but it has not been nearly bad enough to stay away from it.
 
S

shawnr

New member
My 07 is approaching 100K, and it's been a great Jeep. The only major issue was I had to replace a coil pack a little over a year ago. Mine doesn't burn much oil like others have, and is my DD. I've driven it across this country, on and off the beaten path. I don't expect it to perform like a sports car or a 1ton truck. It's a Jeep. The 3.8 doesn't bother me, and the motor has been around a very long time. You can find parts for it almost anywhere. I've never driven a 3.6 but I'm sure they are as good as everyone says they are. But I've invested a lot of time and money in my 07 and plan to keep it a very long time.
 
Jgarch

Jgarch

New member
I had almost 150k on my 3.8. The only engine related issue was the intake manifold gasket started leaking around 125k. Solid engine.
 
Shadow's_Jeep

Shadow's_Jeep

Caught the Bug
My 09 3.8 has never given me any problems. And does not burn oil. The 3.8 is prone to having the exhaust manifold crack.
 
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robx251

robx251

Caught the Bug
I have 92000 on my 2010 2 door and it does use about a quart of oil every 2500-3000 miles its my dad and I wheel it when I can. I do miss my 4.0 in my old YJ purely for the torque curve is very different and I love the sound of the i6 over the minivan v6 now in the jeep.
 
hinrichs

hinrichs

Caught the Bug
I just drove JK07s 3.8 the other day, if he didnt tell me it had over 120k or something like that, I would have never known.
 
Shantz

Shantz

Member
I have an 07 with 167,000 miles on it. Runs great after all the fixes. Before I got it last year, the guy I bought it from, had to get the heads shaved at 108,000 miles. The first thing I had to do was rebuilt the manual trans... popping out of 1st gear issues.

Since then, I put about 25,000 miles on it with no problems. I'm running 35's with 410 gears. I have awesome power, and only add a quart of oil every 3-4 thousand miles... with a little Mystery Oil in between.
 
jnabird333

jnabird333

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I think it depends largely on where you live.

The wife's Jeep has the 3.8L and it does okay for what we need around here. It is a little doggy when compared to my Jeep with the 3.6L. To my point though: I couldn't understand why so many were ditching the 3.6L and going straight to V8s until I was out west. On long grades and hills my Jeep ran out of steam, there is no way I would be happy with a 3.8L there. In fact, If I lived out there I would definitely be in it for an engine swap.

....but I'd like to see and Ford 3.5L eco-boost swap. My company car (14' Ford Explorer) has the non-boosted 3.5L and it runs great, and gets 24 MPG doing it!
 
Jitzoo

Jitzoo

New member
I only have about 33k miles on my 08 so I can't really comment on longevity. I live in a mountainous area, and it blows IMO.

Even when I go to the desert to go wheeling, the drive to get there is a bear. I wish I had the funds to make it a trailer queen, or get a Hemi conversion. The lack of power reminds me of my old 4 banger Ford Ranger in high school.

I obviously didn't buy a Jeep because it's a race car...just wouldn't mind being able to keep up with the Toyota Tercel up a grade.
 
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