Early wrangler jk 3.8 reliability???

riche

riche

Forum Member
Looking to pick up a higher mileage early jk with I believe the 3.8. Any issues to look out for on these motors. I know they don’t have much power but looking for just a weekend cruiser for the family and some light trails.
 
The 3.8 engine in the wrangler is the same in the chrysler town and country and dodge caravan.keep the oil change and you can get north of 300000 miles.one of the best v6 engine built.
 
I've heard of issues with the 4 speed auto behind the 3.8. The 3.6 auto is a 5 speed. As far as the 3.8 engine reliability wise, oil consumption is usually the biggest complaint.

Head on over to wranglerforum and look around. BTW, lots of write ups on LS and Hemi swaps are out there.
 
Golden said:
I've heard of issues with the 4 speed auto behind the 3.8. The 3.6 auto is a 5 speed. As far as the 3.8 engine reliability wise, oil consumption is usually the biggest complaint.

Head on over to wranglerforum and look around. BTW, lots of write ups on LS and Hemi swaps are out there.
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Agreed, my BIL worked at a dealership and the number of vehicles with that engine low on oil was astounding. My wife’s minivan at the time was using something like a quart every 1,000 miles, and they said it was “normal, and within spec”
 
Generally a reliable engine. Had two or three of them. No real oil consumption to speak of but valve covers leaked, so yeah maybe adding a quart between 3-4,000 mile oil changes.
 
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