Today we tear into a 3.8L V6 from a 2009 Jeep Wrangler with an inspiring 286,000 miles! This engine is a core return from a local salvage yard which sold it to a customer to get this jeep back on the road. So after that many miles, what killed this engine? Lack of maintenance? Improper repair? an off-road scenario? Lets find out why this engine was replaced, and what parts survived the ordeal.
The 3.8L V6 that debuted in the JK Wrangler starting in the 2007 model year was borrowed straight from the Dodge caravan and Chrysler town and country. A Minivan engine you say? Well even though these engines don't get the same love as the iconic 4.0L Inline 6 that they replaced, I personally think these deserve quite a lot of respect for being simple and inexpensive to own and maintain.
Why am I doing this? My name is Eric and I own Importapart. A full service auto dismantler. Part of our model includes dismantling blown up, failed and otherwise bad engines to salvage the good parts. We do not rebuild engines, merely supply parts to those who do!
TO BUY PARTS, visit www.Importapart.com OR email us at Sales@importapart.com
Every week I post at least one teardown video as I have over the last 3.5 years. Here are a few of my favorite videos from the past:
4.0L Jeep Inline 6 IN TERRIBLE SHAPE but still ran https://youtu.be/zuTONFvSUo0
VW VR6 12v Teardown https://youtu.be/UcT51IX7p9E
Mazda Skyactive with 30K https://youtu.be/72q69lb3njo
Dodge Ram 8L V10 BRUTAL DAMAGE https://youtu.be/Ot-GbhaeaDw
00:00 Intro
03:38 Removing all 6 Spark Plugs and Inspecting
06:06 Lower intake manifold unbolting and intake port inspection
08:02 Unbolting the RH Valve cover, first look at valvetrain Looks decent?
09:03 Removing the rocker arm shaft and pushrods. THERES TROUBLE
10:16 Cracking the headbolts loose and removing the cylinder head
11:03 A look at the head gasket, pistons, bores and cylinder head
12:16 Peeling off the LH Valve cover
13:02 Dipstick debacle
13:22 Removing the LH Rocker arm shaft, rockers and pushrods, SPARKLES
14:13 Unbolting the LH Cylinder head
16:42 SCIENCE and UH OH!
18:01 unbolting and inspecting the lifters
19:19 Lower oil pan removal. ANTI-SEIZE DOESN'T GO HERE
20:53 Upper oil pan unbolting and removal
21:58 First look at the rotating assembly, crankshaft, connecting rod ends
23:01 Water pump removal takes a turn for the worst
25:02 How to use a harmonic balancer puller when it doesn't fit
26:26 Tickling the timing cover bolts and removing it
27:18 Removing the cam gear and timing chain set
27:29 WHY WON'T YOU COME OUT CAMSHAFT
29:27 Unbolting and removing the first rod and piston
31:08 Cylinder #5 connecting rod removal reveals ANOTHER problem
32:56 Unbolting the main caps and removing the crankshaft
34:57 Dismantling the oil pump is a DISASTER!
39:05 Complete rotating assembly inspection. Rod and main bearings, connecting rods, pistons, crankshaft, block bore and oil filter
44:06 Summary
I really hope you enjoyed this teardown. As always I love all of the comments, feedback and even the criticism. Catch you on the next one!
-Eric