Jeep / Chrysler . . . a rant

[Bigbore500r]

Add THERMOSTAT to the list of basic things that Jeep / Chrysler can't seem to figure out, or keep in stock.

Factory branded Mopar thermostats have been out of stock for 18 months+, causing even the dealers to use aftermaket replacements.
The non OEM thermostats have a 50% failure rate out of the box, some people are replacing them 3-4 times to get one that functions. Even then - they will work for a few months, then shit the bed and the engine begins running warm / overheating at speed.

I've just finished rippinig my wife's Jeep engine apart, fixing the famous pentastar "tick" before it grenades the motor. New cam followers, new lash adjusters, etc. Lots of fun watching the wiring crumble as you touch it to unplug connectors.

Of course when I did this work, the thermostat was out of stock, so I had to use an available aftermarket stat. Well, here we are 2 months later with a thermostat failure, just like everyones been warning me.

Super excited to tear back into it and re-do the thermostat, thankfully I don't have to touch the crumbling chrysler wiring to get to it.

I've worked on practicaly everything over the years, but nothing has made me want blow my brains out like this beautiful chrysler feat of engineering.

On a separate note - I found a place in Canada that will repair the failed ABS computer (also on a 12 month backorder from Chrysler . . .) so I can get the dash to stop doing it's best christmas tree impression. Yay!


Even the cat hates this fucking thing . . .

There . . . I feel better.
Thanks for listening

 

[DLC]

What a bummer…

At least it’s the right color jeep !

White Jps just look clean

 

[Bigbore500r]

What a bummer…

At least it’s the right color jeep !

White Jps just look clean

Here's a better pic / video of it . . . it does look super clean when it runs

 

[wzuber]

That'll be $150.00 please, sir. My listening to rants fees have gone up....haha

 

[monkeyswrench]

Look at the bright side, you caught the tick before it ate a cam or 4! Cams are available, about 300$ each I think. Whole bunch of stupidity to swap them

 

[C-2]

I feel your pain.

Our 3.6 has gone through3 sets of rockers.

4 thermostats and I still have the f*in CEL for it

The Christmas tree dash on ours has always been the cheap ass negative cable not being wrenched tight enough. I concluded it's easier to buy a new battery with a new post to get that "initial" clamp down. After you remove the cable a few times...it just never holds the same.

I'm getting the ABS brake pedal bump and traction/light codes/dash lights. It's the failed axle seals coating the ABS speed sensor/tone ring in grease. So now I'll need to replace the rear 2 axles.

 

[C-2]

I think in 2022 they also opened a new class-action over the issues.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

Had all the same issues with my 2012 Jeep pentastar and then some. Finally kicked it to the curb. POS!!!

 

[Bigbore500r]

Look at the bright side, you caught the tick before it ate a cam or 4! Cams are available, about 300$ each I think. Whole bunch of stupidity to swap them

Yea, my wife actually is the MVP here. She heard it ticking and called me, I took it out of service and sure enough - Passenger rear cylinder, failed cam follower!
Cam survived. Was able to swap them all with the cams in place, just loosened them up and slid the parts out and back in carefully.

 

[Bigbore500r]

I feel your pain.

Our 3.6 has gone through3 sets of rockers.

4 thermostats and I still have the f*in CEL for it

The Christmas tree dash on ours has always been the cheap ass negative cable not being wrenched tight enough. I concluded it's easier to buy a new battery with a new post to get that "initial" clamp down. After you remove the cable a few times...it just never holds the same.

I'm getting the ABS brake pedal bump and traction/light codes/dash lights. It's the failed axle seals coating the ABS speed sensor/tone ring in grease. So now I'll need to replace the rear 2 axles.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

Fiat!

I've given into the fact that all new cars are junk and made to break. Give me a 12 valve Cummins or a late model 7.3 Ram Diesel and I will slowly get to where I want without issue.

 

[bilz]

You guys just sealed the deal. No Jeep for me.

 

[rivrrts429]

Worst vehicle I’ve ever owned was a 2012 Jeep. They bought it back. Told my ex in-laws not to buy one and they didn’t listen. Jeep bought that one back too lol

 

[Bigbore500r]

You guys just sealed the deal. No Jeep for me.

You sir are making a wise choice

 

[bilz]

These f'ed up wranglers are driving the xj market sky high.

 

[Gelcoater]

Some of the most fun I’ve had in a car was in a Jeep.

AMC...
And when AMC took it over the purists said AMC was ruining the Jeep name and product.


And when Eagle took them over, Eagle was ruining the name and product.

And when Dialmer/Benz took over they were ruining the name and product.

And now Fiat is ruining the name.

I’ve had 3.5 Jeeps over the years and in each instance “You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred”

Isn’t the best photo.
It was white when I got it.
Body was shot.
Got another used body from Scotty’s Jeep in Fontana.
Had a 232 I6 and the T150 3 speed.

When the head gasket blew I got the Advanced Adaptor SBC swap kit.
And killed a few T-150 there after and a rear drive shaft.
Went to a Saginaw 4 speed after them.


It was the most fun dingy white, with grey (fiberglass) front fenders and the tow bar attached to the front bumper.
The M3/M5 BMW guys never suspected this dirty white junkyard Jeep would gap their ass

This was 89-91ish mind you.

Best burn was a guy in an at the time newish Vette.
In Elsinore it was common courtesy going up the N bound Lake street on ramp to I-15 to move over and yield to faster traffic.
Dude taildragged my ass all the way down Lake street, traffic, he couldn’t pass.

So when we turned left onto the ramp I moved over. But dropped to 2nd and legged it
Hit 3rd and chirped the 31” Winston Fun N Muds
Through 3rd and into 4 we are on the freeway now. I let out.
Going much faster than I want to go in a CJ 5.

Dude gets up next to me and thumbs up!
Then he shifts and is Gone!



A few weeks later

Circle K on Grand. I see the yellow vette and park next to it.
Go inside he’s the only person in there besides the guy behind the register and say very loudly

Anyone here get spanked by a Jeep lately?


Dude turns around to look at me and looks past, outside, to see the yellow Jeep next to his car.
Guy says Fuck Man!
What do you have in that thing?
I couldn’t catch you, you gained on me!


I say a junkyard 350...
With a Rochester 2 barrel

Bullshit! He says.

We walked out and I popped the hood.
Guy was floored.
He says he needs to go get an exhaust and a Hypertech Power chip
(Again you guys, 1990ish)

I say great!!!
I got a Holley 600 from the junk yard the other day. The rebuild kit cost more than the carb did. My step dads an old school Jet botr racer. He knows how to tinker on it
I hope I see you again

Never saw the guy again, sadly.
Woulda been fun.

Sold that Jeep to @endobear I couldn’t get it to pass smog, my “guy” was gone.

jay had a ton of fun with it up in Colorado, and frustrated more people with it up there

 

[phuggit]

In the last month I have replaced the alternator, serpentine belt, all belt pulleys and tensioner, thermostat, radiator and debugged the communication problem between the computer and the engine fan. My arms are so scratched up I look like Ive been fighting a pack of cats.

 

[sml]

You guys just sealed the deal. No Jeep for me.

go drive one of these….had a lot of jeeps over the years (3 currently) and the 2024 392 is the best one yet.

 

[bilz]

Driven one, buddy has one and he was towed from half way down baja. Some pressed fittings were defective. Guess that could happen with any brand.
They are pretty bad ass.

 

[rrrr]

"OkI’ve had 3.5 Jeeps over the years and in each instance “You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred” "

It's not often you see quotes from the 60s cartoon Super Chicken.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

My 94 4.0 I6 Manual has been great. I have had it 20+ years. Have taught dozens of kids to drive a stick. It has 64k miles and I have only replaced the battery and tires. The 4.0 manual is the best Jeep combo. I have had several and they were all great.

 

[Big B Hova]

At least people leave you ducks in parking lots when yore broke down.

V8 Ram for the win

 

[Gelcoater]

"OkI’ve had 3.5 Jeeps over the years and in each instance “You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred” "

It's not often you see quotes from the 60s cartoon Super Chicken.

I’m glad someone caught that reference

 

[Bigbore500r]

go drive one of these….had a lot of jeeps over the years (3 currently) and the 2024 392 is the best one yet.
View attachment 1392642

View attachment 1392643

That’s cause a 2024 is zero years old

 

[Bigbore500r]

At least people leave you ducks in parking lots when yore broke down.

V8 Ram for the win

That’s a Chrysler too…hey did they ever get your sticking brake calipers, clunking driveline and broken exhaust manifolds taken care of?

 

[sml]

That’s cause a 2024 is zero years old

Sorry for your luck lol

 

[bilz]

I’m glad someone caught that reference

Great stories

 

[mash on it]

Some of the most fun I’ve had in a car was in a Jeep.

AMC...
And when AMC took it over the purists said AMC was ruining the Jeep name and product.


And when Eagle took them over, Eagle was ruining the name and product.

And when Dialmer/Benz took over they were ruining the name and product.

And now Fiat is ruining the name.

I’ve had 3.5 Jeeps over the years and in each instance “You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred”

Isn’t the best photo.
It was white when I got it.
Body was shot.
Got another used body from Scotty’s Jeep in Fontana.
Had a 232 I6 and the T150 3 speed.
View attachment 1392641

When the head gasket blew I got the Advanced Adaptor SBC swap kit.
And killed a few T-150 there after and a rear drive shaft.
Went to a Saginaw 4 speed after them.


It was the most fun dingy white, with grey (fiberglass) front fenders and the tow bar attached to the front bumper.
The M3/M5 BMW guys never suspected this dirty white junkyard Jeep would gap their ass

This was 89-91ish mind you.

Best burn was a guy in an at the time newish Vette.
In Elsinore it was common courtesy going up the N bound Lake street on ramp to I-15 to move over and yield to faster traffic.
Dude taildragged my ass all the way down Lake street, traffic, he couldn’t pass.

So when we turned left onto the ramp I moved over. But dropped to 2nd and legged it
Hit 3rd and chirped the 31” Winston Fun N Muds
Through 3rd and into 4 we are on the freeway now. I let out.
Going much faster than I want to go in a CJ 5.

Dude gets up next to me and thumbs up!
Then he shifts and is Gone!



A few weeks later

Circle K on Grand. I see the yellow vette and park next to it.
Go inside he’s the only person in there besides the guy behind the register and say very loudly

Anyone here get spanked by a Jeep lately?


Dude turns around to look at me and looks past, outside, to see the yellow Jeep next to his car.
Guy says Fuck Man!
What do you have in that thing?
I couldn’t catch you, you gained on me!


I say a junkyard 350...
With a Rochester 2 barrel

Bullshit! He says.

We walked out and I popped the hood.
Guy was floored.
He says he needs to go get an exhaust and a Hypertech Power chip
(Again you guys, 1990ish)

I say great!!!
I got a Holley 600 from the junk yard the other day. The rebuild kit cost more than the carb did. My step dads an old school Jet botr racer. He knows how to tinker on it
I hope I see you again

Never saw the guy again, sadly.
Woulda been fun.

Sold that Jeep to @endobear I couldn’t get it to pass smog, my “guy” was gone.

jay had a ton of fun with it up in Colorado, and frustrated more people with it up there

1979 CJ7
Warmed over L79 327
SM465 and NP205 combo.
2.5" soft ride and 33's
Scoots alright.

Dan'l

 

[Gelcoater]

Sorry for your luck lol

How much does the 392 Jeep weigh?

Now, I’m not saying it could?!
But?
Jeep3,5 might have?
Was a CJ5, a Muncie and this

GM 350 crate engine...
If it was still in my driveway I’d be issuing a challenge

On the right road, on the right day, a glimps of sunlight under the front tires on a hard launch.

Coincidentally it was also yellow.

All this shit hanging on it probably helped

I probably should have made a move on buying it.
Was in my driveway over a year.


But?


Sometimes people say to me
You work on boats and work in a shop that makes boats. Why don’t you have one?



Because.

I Fuckin know better.

 

[Waterjunky]

All reasons I will be replacing the Explorer with a Bronco instead of a jeep.

That said, I'm sure the Bronco has its own issues.

 

[DWC]

I’ve had 3 jeeps. 81’ CJ5, 90’ YJ and 00’ TJ. The CJ came with an inline 4, lifted with 33’s. WAY underpowered. My future FIL convinced me to drop a junkyard SBC in it. We did it over a weekend in my parents garage. Turns out I should have invested in brakes, trans and rear end. . Thing was a blast to drive and loud as hell. The clutch pedal was a great workout.
Bought the YJ at a Santa Ana dealership at closing. Traded in a POS Taurus. When the deal was signed they weren’t happy they had to jump start it to bring it into the lot.
The TJ was an old school Sunday ad car in HB. Drove it for 12 years as my daily My son/daughter drove it for a 6 more years until the motor let go. Had it rebuilt and sold it to a friend/neighbor. It’s still running local trails. Sold it for $7,500.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

Best part of any newer Chrysler product….you most likely will have an opportunity to lemon law it and get your money back.

 

[C-2]

My co-worker has a 2021 JL and he doesn't have any issues, other then the death wobble.

He always pops off about maintenance. Yes, I didn't maintain the rockers, thermostat, and axle seals, lol.

I give everybody the Jeep finger, instead of the Jeep wave

 

[TBulger]

Add THERMOSTAT to the list of basic things that Jeep / Chrysler can't seem to figure out, or keep in stock.

Factory branded Mopar thermostats have been out of stock for 18 months+, causing even the dealers to use aftermaket replacements.
The non OEM thermostats have a 50% failure rate out of the box, some people are replacing them 3-4 times to get one that functions. Even then - they will work for a few months, then shit the bed and the engine begins running warm / overheating at speed.

I've just finished rippinig my wife's Jeep engine apart, fixing the famous pentastar "tick" before it grenades the motor. New cam followers, new lash adjusters, etc. Lots of fun watching the wiring crumble as you touch it to unplug connectors.

Of course when I did this work, the thermostat was out of stock, so I had to use an available aftermarket stat. Well, here we are 2 months later with a thermostat failure, just like everyones been warning me.

Super excited to tear back into it and re-do the thermostat, thankfully I don't have to touch the crumbling chrysler wiring to get to it.

I've worked on practicaly everything over the years, but nothing has made me want blow my brains out like this beautiful chrysler feat of engineering.

On a separate note - I found a place in Canada that will repair the failed ABS computer (also on a 12 month backorder from Chrysler . . .) so I can get the dash to stop doing it's best christmas tree impression. Yay!


Even the cat hates this fucking thing . . .

View attachment 1392574


There . . . I feel better.
Thanks for listening

Very talented guy that Bigbore500r.

 

[Bigbore500r]

My co-worker has a 2021 JL and he doesn't have any issues, other then the death wobble.

He always pops off about maintenance. Yes, I didn't maintain the rockers, thermostat, and axle seals, lol.

I give everybody the Jeep finger, instead of the Jeep wave

Didn’t maintain your rockers?
That’s a good one!

 

[Bigbore500r]

Sorry for your luck lol

It’s more of a crystal ball for long term ownership

 

[OCMerrill]

The Pentastar engine starts with no oil in the top end until the filter fills. There are a few cures that eliminate the dry start which causes rocker failure.

Baxter Performance

 

[mash on it]

Even the Buick v6 which was sold to Jeep and bought back by Buick didn't have that problem. Valve train was pretty robust for the time

Dan'l

 

[Yoshiro]

With the OEM T stats not being available and you suffering through crappy aftermarket ones I'd be tempted to install a restrictor plate in there for the time being!

We just got my wife a '24 JL with that 2.0 turbo 4cyl. Man that thing has some power vs her older V6 JK. I'm buying the extended warranty on this one, hopefully this 4cyl isn't junk too.

 

[Big B Hova]

That’s a Chrysler too…hey did they ever get your sticking brake calipers, clunking driveline and broken exhaust manifolds taken care of?

Manifold yes. Brakes sticking worked itself out. Clunk in drive line just means lots of torque.

 

[dribble]

I put an aftermarket stat in the LJ and it started puking immediately. I put the original one back in. I’ve read that a Stant Superstat (available online) will work.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

With the OEM T stats not being available and you suffering through crappy aftermarket ones I'd be tempted to install a restrictor plate in there for the time being!

We just got my wife a '24 JL with that 2.0 turbo 4cyl. Man that thing has some power vs her older V6 JK. I'm buying the extended warranty on this one, hopefully this 4cyl isn't junk too.

View attachment 1392871

If you are dealing with CA emissions, these will cause your Jeep to fail and throw an engine light and it can be a permanent code that only the dealer can remove. The factory thermostat is used to build heat quickly to burn off excessive gases. Ask me how I know, I did the same thing......... It was a pain in the ass, my jeep I sold could not be smogged for 3 months, the emissions portion of the ECU had to acquire 3 months of driving data to prove that the problem was fixed. That JK Jeep brought me much anger in my life, never again....

 

[Bigbore500r]

If you are dealing with CA emissions, these will cause your Jeep to fail and throw an engine light and it can be a permanent code that only the dealer can remove. The factory thermostat is used to build heat quickly to burn off excessive gases. Ask me how I know, I did the same thing......... It was a pain in the ass, my jeep I sold could not be smogged for 3 months, the emissions portion of the ECU had to acquire 3 months of driving data to prove that the problem was fixed. That JK Jeep brought me much anger in my life, never again....

Yep! I dealt with that also, the good old "P0128" - Vehicle taking too long to reach operating temp. That's what made me replace the thermostat in the first place. Had I known you couldn't find a Mopar one anywhere on the planet, I would have let it be since it was at least drivable.

Chrysler makes this a non-clearable permanant code that takes forever to reset. Not a requirement for them to do that - they do it just to be assholes apparently.

 

[Bigbore500r]

If you are dealing with CA emissions, these will cause your Jeep to fail and throw an engine light and it can be a permanent code that only the dealer can remove. The factory thermostat is used to build heat quickly to burn off excessive gases. Ask me how I know, I did the same thing......... It was a pain in the ass, my jeep I sold could not be smogged for 3 months, the emissions portion of the ECU had to acquire 3 months of driving data to prove that the problem was fixed. That JK Jeep brought me much anger in my life, never again....

In addition to this BS, I've also had 2 instances of of "sorry we can't smog your vehicle, there's an emissions RECALL requiring the dealer to reprogram the ECM"

Never had to do that with any other vehicle i've owned to smog them, but i've had to do it twice with my 2003 RAM, and now twice with my Wrangler.
JEEP THANGS? NAH . . . CHRYSLER THANGS

 

[Bigbore500r]

The Pentastar engine starts with no oil in the top end until the filter fills. There are a few cures that eliminate the dry start which causes rocker failure.

Baxter Performance

So do the Hemi's . . . They sound like a sewing machine for 3-4 seconds hammering away before the lifters get oil and pump up

I test drove one and thought it was odd. Then test drove another....also did it

Chrysler says that's normal
Well....unless the engine light comes on anyways - then you should see your dealer.....

 

[OCMerrill]

So do the Hemi's . . . They sound like a sewing machine for 3-4 seconds hammering away before the lifters get oil and pump up

I test drove one and thought it was odd. Then test drove another....also did it

Chrysler says that's normal
Well....unless the engine light comes on anyways - then you should see your dealer.....

View attachment 1392901

This issue shouldn't even exist as long as the Hemi has been around. Flattening off camshafts really sucks because its full rebuild time yet my Neighbor is in a rental now because his truck is awaiting a Reman for lifter / cam issues. Right at the 95K mark and always dealer services. Good thing he bought the extended warrantee.

That said the Pentastar has been around since 2011 in a jeep anyway. Its almost like they want issues to piss off owners. Get some QC or contract it to a company they will.

 

[1tonfun]

And everyone told me to avoid the 3.8 and go with the 3.6. Bigger is always better right??? Went with the 3.8 and cant seem to blow that thing up, it just keeps on going. Would love to LS swap the jeep.

 

[C-2]

My 2013 Honda Accord with 251K miles, and my 2004 Infiniti FX35 with 175K also do the no oil rattle at start-up, but they don't throw rockers or grenade the motors. YT is filled with vids of people chasing the Honda rattle issue...but it still runs great at 251K.

I asked the motor guy to buy a better set of rockers for the 3.6 and I offered to pay for them - but he said no such product is out there.

We bought our 14' JK used in 19'...and I passed on the warranty. That was colossal mistake #2.

 

[Bigbore500r]

My 2013 Honda Accord with 251K miles, and my 2004 Infiniti FX35 with 175K also do the no oil rattle at start-up, but they don't throw rockers or grenade the motors. YT is filled with vids of people chasing the Honda rattle issue...but it still runs great at 251K.

I asked the motor guy to buy a better set of rockers for the 3.6 and I offered to pay for them - but he said no such product is out there.

We bought our 14' JK used in 19'...and I passed on the warranty. That was colossal mistake #2.

The rockers have gone thru 5 different redesigns for the JK version of the 3.6 motor alone - the latest version has a full-floating trunion and is a bit different than the first models. Based on how Chrysler part numbers work, they are probably on the 8th version of this rocker for the 3.6 engine as a whole , but only 5 versions since the engine was placed in the JK in 2012. The "AA" part number goes back to pre-2012 when the motor was first placed in minivans.

JK Current version (newest) - 5184296AH

Old versions (last letter indicates succession / superceeded part numbers - A, B, C, D....etc)
5184296AD
5184296AE
5184296AF
5184296AG

Seems like a common trend is the passenger rear-most cylinder rockers usually start ticking first. That tells me there's a lubrication problem that starves those rockers more than the others. Probably a slight difference that wears on them over time. Eventually they all die...

 

[TBulger]

I have a 2017 Jk with 59k miles, lot invested with suspension and etc. Would those in the know suggest I get proactive with the rocker problem? Read up on the item to add to get oil there quicker or just remain there, but a little complicated for my mechanical knowledge.