IMO X-20 is too thin for a jeep in the first place. I had a 09 wrangler and it was the worst new car I have ever bought! I had to have all the seatbelts replaced becaue they would tighten up and not release. The motor would make horrible grinding noises at startup that the dealer said was because of the non OEM oil filter then when I put on a OEM oil filter and it still did it they said it was "normal operation". It also speced 87 octain gas but if you put anything less that 91 in it would have pre detonation issues. My advice would be if you want to keep it use only premium gas and even for as cold as where you are use either a thick 5w30 synthetic or a 10w30 synthetic because that motor has bad drainback problems and is poorly designed and underpowered IMO.
Best oil choice for jeep
- Thread starter virtual
- Start date
- Status
I'm not familiar with the 3.8L Jeep but I do own a 3.7L in a 2008 Liberty, it calls for 5W20. I've tried Pennzoil Conventional 5w20, Mobil 1 0w20, Pennzoil Platinum 5w20, Amsoil 0W20. It seemed the quietest with the PP. It ran fine, with all of them, no problems. Next fill will probably be Toyota's 0W20 oil, looks fantastic on paper, the price is right, and by the time I'm ready there should be some UOA reports on the oil.
Originally Posted By: ryland
IMO X-20 is too thin for a jeep in the first place. I had a 09 wrangler and it was the worst new car I have ever bought! I had to have all the seatbelts replaced because they would tighten up and not release. The motor would make horrible grinding noises at startup that the dealer said was because of the non OEM oil filter then when I put on a OEM oil filter and it still did it they said it was "normal operation". It also speced 87 octain gas but if you put anything less that 91 in it would have pre detonation issues. My advice would be if you want to keep it use only premium gas and even for as cold as where you are use either a thick 5w30 synthetic or a 10w30 synthetic because that motor has bad drainback problems and is poorly designed and underpowered IMO.
Sad to hear that you got a lemon, but I got none of these problem, it start fine with no noise even at -40,some oil filter like the Mobil 1 don’t work very good with it ,oem are wix filter. I put 87 octane fuel with no misfire at all, even put no name brand from Canadian tire superstore ect with no issue. You had a bad experience, it does not mean it apply for all of them, what you had is bad customer service, no matter the brand it append, you should just had brought the vehicle to a different dealer .Lack of power yes, but what you expect...its a brick and we run oversized tire on it, with the rim mine weight over 67 pound each. You could have solved the power issued with different gearing. So please, say you had a bad experience, don’t claim the vehicle is [censored] because of it. By the way that engine is in use since 1990 of course it lack technology it’s basic, but really reliable. Before you said im sold American, I was shopping for a Nissan xterra or a Toyota FJ cruiser and change idea after an off road trip with the jk my friend own.
IMO X-20 is too thin for a jeep in the first place. I had a 09 wrangler and it was the worst new car I have ever bought! I had to have all the seatbelts replaced because they would tighten up and not release. The motor would make horrible grinding noises at startup that the dealer said was because of the non OEM oil filter then when I put on a OEM oil filter and it still did it they said it was "normal operation". It also speced 87 octain gas but if you put anything less that 91 in it would have pre detonation issues. My advice would be if you want to keep it use only premium gas and even for as cold as where you are use either a thick 5w30 synthetic or a 10w30 synthetic because that motor has bad drainback problems and is poorly designed and underpowered IMO.
Sad to hear that you got a lemon, but I got none of these problem, it start fine with no noise even at -40,some oil filter like the Mobil 1 don’t work very good with it ,oem are wix filter. I put 87 octane fuel with no misfire at all, even put no name brand from Canadian tire superstore ect with no issue. You had a bad experience, it does not mean it apply for all of them, what you had is bad customer service, no matter the brand it append, you should just had brought the vehicle to a different dealer .Lack of power yes, but what you expect...its a brick and we run oversized tire on it, with the rim mine weight over 67 pound each. You could have solved the power issued with different gearing. So please, say you had a bad experience, don’t claim the vehicle is [censored] because of it. By the way that engine is in use since 1990 of course it lack technology it’s basic, but really reliable. Before you said im sold American, I was shopping for a Nissan xterra or a Toyota FJ cruiser and change idea after an off road trip with the jk my friend own.
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2002
- Messages
- 39,793
We used to have pinging at shift transitions in our 5 speed 4.0. It would be reduced with a fuel injector/combustion chamber cleaner.
That all went away with the ethanol fuel. It still needs a system cleaning about once a year ...maybe twice.
That all went away with the ethanol fuel. It still needs a system cleaning about once a year ...maybe twice.
Originally Posted By: virtual
Originally Posted By: ryland
IMO X-20 is too thin for a jeep in the first place. I had a 09 wrangler and it was the worst new car I have ever bought! I had to have all the seatbelts replaced because they would tighten up and not release. The motor would make horrible grinding noises at startup that the dealer said was because of the non OEM oil filter then when I put on a OEM oil filter and it still did it they said it was "normal operation". It also speced 87 octain gas but if you put anything less that 91 in it would have pre detonation issues. My advice would be if you want to keep it use only premium gas and even for as cold as where you are use either a thick 5w30 synthetic or a 10w30 synthetic because that motor has bad drainback problems and is poorly designed and underpowered IMO.
Sad to hear that you got a lemon, but I got none of these problem, it start fine with no noise even at -40,some oil filter like the Mobil 1 don’t work very good with it ,oem are wix filter. I put 87 octane fuel with no misfire at all, even put no name brand from Canadian tire superstore ect with no issue. You had a bad experience, it does not mean it apply for all of them, what you had is bad customer service, no matter the brand it append, you should just had brought the vehicle to a different dealer .Lack of power yes, but what you expect...its a brick and we run oversized tire on it, with the rim mine weight over 67 pound each. You could have solved the power issued with different gearing. So please, say you had a bad experience, don’t claim the vehicle is [censored] because of it. By the way that engine is in use since 1990 of course it lack technology it’s basic, but really reliable. Before you said im sold American, I was shopping for a Nissan xterra or a Toyota FJ cruiser and change idea after an off road trip with the jk my friend own.
Go to a jeep forum and you'll see that these problems are wide spread. Also the over sized tire thing, the only tire size that isent underpowered is the base wheels that look far too small for the vehicle and they put undersized gearing that corispond to that small tire size, they know that most people will not stick with that small tire size. The whole jeep is poorly designed and is made at a very low quality! I love the way they look but they are horrible cars.
Originally Posted By: ryland
IMO X-20 is too thin for a jeep in the first place. I had a 09 wrangler and it was the worst new car I have ever bought! I had to have all the seatbelts replaced because they would tighten up and not release. The motor would make horrible grinding noises at startup that the dealer said was because of the non OEM oil filter then when I put on a OEM oil filter and it still did it they said it was "normal operation". It also speced 87 octain gas but if you put anything less that 91 in it would have pre detonation issues. My advice would be if you want to keep it use only premium gas and even for as cold as where you are use either a thick 5w30 synthetic or a 10w30 synthetic because that motor has bad drainback problems and is poorly designed and underpowered IMO.
Sad to hear that you got a lemon, but I got none of these problem, it start fine with no noise even at -40,some oil filter like the Mobil 1 don’t work very good with it ,oem are wix filter. I put 87 octane fuel with no misfire at all, even put no name brand from Canadian tire superstore ect with no issue. You had a bad experience, it does not mean it apply for all of them, what you had is bad customer service, no matter the brand it append, you should just had brought the vehicle to a different dealer .Lack of power yes, but what you expect...its a brick and we run oversized tire on it, with the rim mine weight over 67 pound each. You could have solved the power issued with different gearing. So please, say you had a bad experience, don’t claim the vehicle is [censored] because of it. By the way that engine is in use since 1990 of course it lack technology it’s basic, but really reliable. Before you said im sold American, I was shopping for a Nissan xterra or a Toyota FJ cruiser and change idea after an off road trip with the jk my friend own.
Go to a jeep forum and you'll see that these problems are wide spread. Also the over sized tire thing, the only tire size that isent underpowered is the base wheels that look far too small for the vehicle and they put undersized gearing that corispond to that small tire size, they know that most people will not stick with that small tire size. The whole jeep is poorly designed and is made at a very low quality! I love the way they look but they are horrible cars.
Originally Posted By: virtual
Lack of power yes, but what you expect...its a brick and we run oversized tire on it, with the rim mine weight over 67 pound each.
Jeebus, my tire/wheel weigh 150lbs ea.
What did you step up to for tires? A good friend of mine has a new JK 4door 'Rubi with a budget boost and 35's. It loooks very nice.
Lack of power yes, but what you expect...its a brick and we run oversized tire on it, with the rim mine weight over 67 pound each.
Jeebus, my tire/wheel weigh 150lbs ea.
What did you step up to for tires? A good friend of mine has a new JK 4door 'Rubi with a budget boost and 35's. It loooks very nice.
im only 32 right now,have to change my gear first,3.73 is to low for anything over.i plan 35 to and 4.80 gear.Want to put a 2 inch suspension lift and flat fender to accomodate the 35.
The 3.8 works fine with 5w or 0w20 oils. mine runs like a sewing machine and has proven to be a reliable low density powerplant. I use mine for expedition offroading and some technical rockcrawling that I usually have no busines doing in a mostly stock jeep and the only issues I have ever had were purely related to the offroading(ripped tires, Damaged differential covers, Engine stalls with the manual when driven down to about 300 rpmin low rpm high load situations and keeps trying to run_If that one continues I will take it in- but never can recover so I have to kill it and restart it.)
Otherwise the jeep JK's design is hard to beat as far as factory trail riders go.
Otherwise the jeep JK's design is hard to beat as far as factory trail riders go.
Originally Posted By: ryland
Originally Posted By: virtual
Originally Posted By: ryland
IMO X-20 is too thin for a jeep in the first place. I had a 09 wrangler and it was the worst new car I have ever bought! I had to have all the seatbelts replaced because they would tighten up and not release. The motor would make horrible grinding noises at startup that the dealer said was because of the non OEM oil filter then when I put on a OEM oil filter and it still did it they said it was "normal operation". It also speced 87 octain gas but if you put anything less that 91 in it would have pre detonation issues. My advice would be if you want to keep it use only premium gas and even for as cold as where you are use either a thick 5w30 synthetic or a 10w30 synthetic because that motor has bad drainback problems and is poorly designed and underpowered IMO.
Sad to hear that you got a lemon, but I got none of these problem, it start fine with no noise even at -40,some oil filter like the Mobil 1 don’t work very good with it ,oem are wix filter. I put 87 octane fuel with no misfire at all, even put no name brand from Canadian tire superstore ect with no issue. You had a bad experience, it does not mean it apply for all of them, what you had is bad customer service, no matter the brand it append, you should just had brought the vehicle to a different dealer .Lack of power yes, but what you expect...its a brick and we run oversized tire on it, with the rim mine weight over 67 pound each. You could have solved the power issued with different gearing. So please, say you had a bad experience, don’t claim the vehicle is [censored] because of it. By the way that engine is in use since 1990 of course it lack technology it’s basic, but really reliable. Before you said im sold American, I was shopping for a Nissan xterra or a Toyota FJ cruiser and change idea after an off road trip with the jk my friend own.
Go to a jeep forum and you'll see that these problems are wide spread. Also the over sized tire thing, the only tire size that isent underpowered is the base wheels that look far too small for the vehicle and they put undersized gearing that corispond to that small tire size, they know that most people will not stick with that small tire size. The whole jeep is poorly designed and is made at a very low quality! I love the way they look but they are horrible cars.
Anyone who buys a Wrangler expecting lexus like performance and reliability is kidding themselves. Heck, most of us jeepers would be disappointed if we didn't have something to fix now and again. The 4.0L should never have been discontinued, but the 3.8L is about as close as I think Chrysler could get without going to a V8. I know a few people with JKs and they don't have any of the problems you mentioned. If you don't want the stigma and experience of owning a Jeep... Go get something else! And you have no idea about underpowered. We have a 99' Wrangler with the 2.5L 4cly, with the 3 speed auto, and 3.73 gearing running 33s. You want to talk about slow.... And you know what, we survive and it doesn't bother us anymore. Or it wouldn't if we hadn't killed the transmission in it.
Originally Posted By: virtual
Originally Posted By: ryland
IMO X-20 is too thin for a jeep in the first place. I had a 09 wrangler and it was the worst new car I have ever bought! I had to have all the seatbelts replaced because they would tighten up and not release. The motor would make horrible grinding noises at startup that the dealer said was because of the non OEM oil filter then when I put on a OEM oil filter and it still did it they said it was "normal operation". It also speced 87 octain gas but if you put anything less that 91 in it would have pre detonation issues. My advice would be if you want to keep it use only premium gas and even for as cold as where you are use either a thick 5w30 synthetic or a 10w30 synthetic because that motor has bad drainback problems and is poorly designed and underpowered IMO.
Sad to hear that you got a lemon, but I got none of these problem, it start fine with no noise even at -40,some oil filter like the Mobil 1 don’t work very good with it ,oem are wix filter. I put 87 octane fuel with no misfire at all, even put no name brand from Canadian tire superstore ect with no issue. You had a bad experience, it does not mean it apply for all of them, what you had is bad customer service, no matter the brand it append, you should just had brought the vehicle to a different dealer .Lack of power yes, but what you expect...its a brick and we run oversized tire on it, with the rim mine weight over 67 pound each. You could have solved the power issued with different gearing. So please, say you had a bad experience, don’t claim the vehicle is [censored] because of it. By the way that engine is in use since 1990 of course it lack technology it’s basic, but really reliable. Before you said im sold American, I was shopping for a Nissan xterra or a Toyota FJ cruiser and change idea after an off road trip with the jk my friend own.
Go to a jeep forum and you'll see that these problems are wide spread. Also the over sized tire thing, the only tire size that isent underpowered is the base wheels that look far too small for the vehicle and they put undersized gearing that corispond to that small tire size, they know that most people will not stick with that small tire size. The whole jeep is poorly designed and is made at a very low quality! I love the way they look but they are horrible cars.
Anyone who buys a Wrangler expecting lexus like performance and reliability is kidding themselves. Heck, most of us jeepers would be disappointed if we didn't have something to fix now and again. The 4.0L should never have been discontinued, but the 3.8L is about as close as I think Chrysler could get without going to a V8. I know a few people with JKs and they don't have any of the problems you mentioned. If you don't want the stigma and experience of owning a Jeep... Go get something else! And you have no idea about underpowered. We have a 99' Wrangler with the 2.5L 4cly, with the 3 speed auto, and 3.73 gearing running 33s. You want to talk about slow.... And you know what, we survive and it doesn't bother us anymore. Or it wouldn't if we hadn't killed the transmission in it.
Last edited by a moderator:
I hear ya, i know lots of people who did convert their 4cyl gas to diesel using a vw engine, 1.9td .
Back to the oil , i kinda realise as long ill stick with a proper maintenance....and good quality oil ,brand wont change much. People seem to treat their brand like holy watter
.
Thanks to all of you , im happy to see most of the people here do care about their vehicle,and try to keep them in the best shape they can.
Back to the oil , i kinda realise as long ill stick with a proper maintenance....and good quality oil ,brand wont change much. People seem to treat their brand like holy watter
. Thanks to all of you , im happy to see most of the people here do care about their vehicle,and try to keep them in the best shape they can.
And for the jeep bashing......all brand have their lemon ,chevy had cavalier ,dodge the neon ,ford the escort ,nissan micra ect ect. Did it stop the product to be sold .....no ,bad car ill say no again ,i have seen lots of these vehicle going over 300k. Bad owner ..yes , bad dealer and mechanic yes again, be aware ask question, don’t just drop a vehicle somewhere to get it fix and thinking now everything is fine , ask question , make sure the dealer put in your file all your claim , strange noise strange comportment of the vehicle and DON’T BE SHY TO ASK A SECOND OPIGNON, mechanics could be new with no experience , tired or even had a bad day and just miss it. I stop my rant here, simply buy what you want ,drive it and enjoy it the best you can.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: ryland
IMO X-20 is too thin for a jeep in the first place. I had a 09 wrangler and it was the worst new car I have ever bought! I had to have all the seatbelts replaced becaue they would tighten up and not release. The motor would make horrible grinding noises at startup that the dealer said was because of the non OEM oil filter then when I put on a OEM oil filter and it still did it they said it was "normal operation". It also speced 87 octain gas but if you put anything less that 91 in it would have pre detonation issues. My advice would be if you want to keep it use only premium gas and even for as cold as where you are use either a thick 5w30 synthetic or a 10w30 synthetic because that motor has bad drainback problems and is poorly designed and underpowered IMO.
Wow. Sorry you've had such bad fortune with yours. My 08 has been one of the best vehicles I've owned. No problems at all, and runs like a champ. I've run 5w-20 Pennzoil Platinum and Mobil 1. I've only experienced drainback issues with Mobil 1 oil filters, so I switched to Motorcraft. That problem was with the filter, not the Jeep. I've got the 6 speed and tow a camper quite a bit, and I've found the power to be just fine. I've also got 4.10 gears, so that may make a difference. I'd only take the advice you gave if I were experiencing those problems. I've never had any detonation issues, even on cheap gas.
One thing I love about this Jeep is how quickly the heater gets warm. Our temps in Indy are nowhere near Alberta, but this is my most comfortable cold weather vehicle, by far. How does it do in that super-cold Alberta weather?
IMO X-20 is too thin for a jeep in the first place. I had a 09 wrangler and it was the worst new car I have ever bought! I had to have all the seatbelts replaced becaue they would tighten up and not release. The motor would make horrible grinding noises at startup that the dealer said was because of the non OEM oil filter then when I put on a OEM oil filter and it still did it they said it was "normal operation". It also speced 87 octain gas but if you put anything less that 91 in it would have pre detonation issues. My advice would be if you want to keep it use only premium gas and even for as cold as where you are use either a thick 5w30 synthetic or a 10w30 synthetic because that motor has bad drainback problems and is poorly designed and underpowered IMO.
Wow. Sorry you've had such bad fortune with yours. My 08 has been one of the best vehicles I've owned. No problems at all, and runs like a champ. I've run 5w-20 Pennzoil Platinum and Mobil 1. I've only experienced drainback issues with Mobil 1 oil filters, so I switched to Motorcraft. That problem was with the filter, not the Jeep. I've got the 6 speed and tow a camper quite a bit, and I've found the power to be just fine. I've also got 4.10 gears, so that may make a difference. I'd only take the advice you gave if I were experiencing those problems. I've never had any detonation issues, even on cheap gas.
One thing I love about this Jeep is how quickly the heater gets warm. Our temps in Indy are nowhere near Alberta, but this is my most comfortable cold weather vehicle, by far. How does it do in that super-cold Alberta weather?
It does pretty good actually with the cold ,very good.The only problem is with the tpms these dam tire can be a pain in cold to keep at the proper pressure .
1999 Cherokee 302,000km & 2001 Wrangler 236,000km both great vehicles with minimal problems nuff said
Yeah, once in awhile, you just get a lemon. The 4.0's are known for being rock solid reliability wise, but my 05 I had I had nothing but problems with. Now my 08 JK with the 3.8, knock on wood, I havn't had any problems with so far.
Virtual, if you have the automatic, and plan on going with 35" tires, I recommend you go with 5.13 gears. Everyone I've talked to with an auto and 35's or bigger is very happy with the 5.13's. If you have the 6spd., then you can get away with the 4.88's, but I wouldn't go any higher (numerically lower).
Virtual, if you have the automatic, and plan on going with 35" tires, I recommend you go with 5.13 gears. Everyone I've talked to with an auto and 35's or bigger is very happy with the 5.13's. If you have the 6spd., then you can get away with the 4.88's, but I wouldn't go any higher (numerically lower).
I have the 6 speed more then happy with it,4.88 will be just perfect for me.
yeah, those should work out good for you, as long as you don't ever go taller than 35's. Just make sure there is absolutely no possibility of you ever wanting to jump up to 37's.
35 is my limit i was whealing fine in the past with 31 on a yj now im on 32. 35 with a 2 inch lift and flat fender will be a uge improvement.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked