Sister in laws jeep

[double vanos]

Ok, the above person checks into the family shop ( a shed with tools and uncovered driveway) with her 2008 Wrangler X. The original problem was pass side wiper not working; fixed that easily enough. Before cutting her loose I check the oil - nothing on the dipstick. Added 3 quarts and the level barely registers.

She tells me she checks the oil at least every 4 - 6 months. Nothing like staying on top of your machine I always say.....

Soooo an oil change is in the immediate future, and I am considering my go to oil: Castrol Edge 0w40 to stop the consumption on this 26k mile engine ( small town, lots of short trip stuff, very limited extended highway miles). While not a DI engine, fuel dilution due to all the short trips is an issue, hence my considering an A3 oil.

Jeep forums are loaded with consumption issues with this engine with many members scrapping the 5w20 for 30 and 40 weight oils, which apparently stops the oil burning muey pronto.
I am now retired and live here in Bisbee Az where she lives so I'll be able to keep a little tighter reign on her car. FWIW Bisbee is high desert (5400 feet ) with road grades of up to 5% and temps ranging from mid 20s to 100 over the year. And the fore mentioned short trip driving ( for her at least).

Is my thinking ok or do I need a brain transplant? Thanks guys!

 

[addyguy]

In Tx, with that much consumption, I'd go with a cheaper 15W-40.

 

[bullwinkle]

Why not 5W20 MaxLife? I ran it for 108K in the company truck, it was worked hard-no oil consumption whatsoever. Be a lot cheaper than the Edge.

 

[Rand]

If its using that much she should be checking every Fillup. and have a QT bottle in the back.

Although the less oil it has in it the faster the consumption.

Pretty sure any fresh oil would be ok in that engine.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: double vanos
Is my thinking ok or do I need a brain transplant?


It would certainly be beneficial if you understand why a Jeep of this vintage is consuming oil...

 

[SatinSilver]

Have your brother check the oil level every two weeks and top as necessary. And yes an oil change asap.

 

[SilverC6]

I'd try PYB 10W-30 first and if that doesn't stop the oil from blowing through the Jeep, then Rotella HDEO 15W-40 as previously suggested.

It's clear Chrysler spec'ed this Jeep for 5W-20 to meet CAFE requirements, because it doesn't appear to be designed for such a thin engine oil.

 

[addyguy]

It's not that the Jeep isn't designed for this oil, it's a defect in the piston rings or their installation that makes 3.8's of this vintage sometimes drink oil like crazy.

Thicker oil is what fixes it to a degree....

 

[OneEyeJack]

There is a last ditch fall back. Tell her that when the red oil light blinks on it's time to add 3 or 4 quarts of oil (lol).

 

[SwampSurvivor]

30 or 40 slows it, but doesn't stop it. It's a ring issue so it's always going to consume.

I ended up dumping some 10w-30 in ours and it didn't make a lick of difference.

 

[cptbarkey]

you are giving her the benefit of the doubt about checking her oil. 4-6 months is code for i never have.

 

[double vanos]

I need to update my signature ..... I've retired and now live in Bisbee , Arizona, 5400 foot elevation, and this is where the jeep in question lives...

There's no doubt that this is a ring issue , but according to Jeep forums consumption can be slowed considerably with higher vis oils, my question was is Edge 0w40 too much? The engine doesn't look too technically advanced compared to BMW or newest Honda, so I should be able to pull it off. Kinda wondering if anybody here is going 40 in a 3.8.

 

[KCJeep]

Ouch, I hope there is no permanent damage. An associate of mine locked his engine up due to not checking oil not sure of the year on his, 2009 maybe?

I definitely would be going thicker especially in TX.

 

[fins]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
It's not that the Jeep isn't designed for this oil, it's a defect in the piston rings or their installation that makes 3.8's of this vintage sometimes drink oil like crazy.

Thicker oil is what fixes it to a degree....


My son-in-law also has a 2008 Wrangler.

He bought the Jeep used.....his 1st oil change he used Motorcraft 5-20.
At 3,000 miles he checked the oil and there was nothing on the dipstick.

Next change I had him switch to 10-30 QS Defy. Still some consumption but has definitely cut down on it.

 

[tired_old_dave]

What a loaded question from a long timer.
You're retired. She's your sister in law.
2008 jk with less than 30k miles. Four by or rwd.
You've searched jeep forums. You know it's a known issue.
Did she buy it new or used.
At altitude, short trips, and thick oil.
Fix the 3.8 or trade it in. Great resale value is possible.

 

[callbay]

My own sister once told me very proudly that she had changed her oil for the very first time. After I questioned her a little about it I found out that she had just checked her oil for the first time. She was about 55 at the time.

I just read in Consumer Reports that about 1/3 of people don't ever check their own oil.

 

[tired_old_dave]

Thanks callbay. While my post may have seemed severe, a better vehicle, one that can go a year and a couple of thousand miles a year without maintenance or repairs might be best for the op and sister in law.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: double vanos
Is my thinking ok or do I need a brain transplant?


It would certainly be beneficial if you understand why a Jeep of this vintage is consuming oil...
rings installed upside down. Chrysler used to fill it. Seal it and have you drive it x amount of miles.if it used more than there spec they replaced the rings

 

[mjoekingz28]

Originally Posted By: SilverC6
I'd try PYB 10W-30 first and if that doesn't stop the oil from blowing through the Jeep, then Rotella HDEO 15W-40 as previously suggested.




2nd

 

[stchman]

The thing is Chrysler vehicles consume oil.

Chrysler has adjusted its acceptable motor oil consumption guidelines for 2012-2013 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep gasoline vehicles (Chrysler Bulletin #09-001-12 Engine Oil Consumption Guideline):

- First 50,000 miles of engine life: one quart per 2,000 miles
- Engines with over 50,000 miles: one quart per 750 miles
- Aggressive driving conditions: one quart per 500 miles

I can MAYBE see i quart ever 2K miles, but one quart EVERY 750 miles. Lets say you change the oil every 7500 miles, Chrysler thinks using 10 quarts during that time span is acceptable??!!!!!!! If your vehicle is drinking a quart every 750 miles and not leaking, something bad is wrong.