New jeep engine questions

goin camping

Explorer
So the Mrs. is looking at a new Grand Cherokee Limited and her engine choices are the Penstar V6 and a V8.

Does anyone know about the reliability and durability of these two engines?

P.S. I drooled over the Rubicons while I was there. I thought they were more expensive than they are. Not that it matters as it's not my turn to get a car.
 

Dr. Marneaus

Station Wagoneer
The pentastar is SUPPOSEDLY some "amazing" new engine that is fantastic in every single way ever! I don't really know though, they are new. We have one in our 2011 challenger, and it's peppy and all, but the car has only been driven 8000 miles in the last year. Hardly any sort of reliability testing....so while I have first hand experience, I cant say much about longevity or maintenance.

The Hemi, on the other hand, is a pretty bullet proof engine. many people will agree, or at least I read about many people agreeing. My experience here is having put 140,000 on a 2005 dodge magnum with the 5.7 hemi. I replaced ball joints, tie rod ends, and torsion arms like they were going out of style, but the biggest thing that ever had to be done to that engine in all 140,000 was replacing the oil sending unit. Motor ran as strong as the day we bought it.
 

crawler#976

Expedition Leader
We've put 10K on the new V6 in a Rubicon JKU.

I'm not sure about weight, but I suspect the GC is heavier, but probably not by much. Our mileage is averaging about 17 - and that's with a 2.5" lift and 33" tires and 4.1:1 gears. Stock, we got closer to 20 MPG. The 5 speed auto is a perfect match to the motor - if it's available in the GC, go for it. Power wise, it's pretty good. It doesn't have the brute power of the Hemi (the Hemi in my Power Wagon is different from the light duty, it's the 385PH/404FtLbs version), but in the Jeep, it performs quite well. Passing is easy, almost too easy. Last time I went around a slower vehicle in a 65 zone, we started at 55, and were going over 90 (with four adults) when I pulled back in. That's pretty good acceleration.

Would I prefer the Hemi in the JKUR? Having driven a Hemi powered AEV JKU, I'd seriously say it's a toss up. Yeah, the Hemi is fun - real fun, and it would be in the GC too. But with the price of fuel, and trust me, it's going up again, I'll stick with the more efficient V6.
 

SSF556

SE Expedition Society
My FIL has the V6 in his minivan...15,000 miles and no issues.....My brother has a JK with the V6.... No isssues.


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PGT

Adventurer
I've got a '12 Rubi MW3 with the V6 and WA580 5sp auto. It's plenty quick. I drove a '12 Chrysler 300 for a few days before buying my SRT8 (also with the WA580), as well as a 5.7L Hemi/WA580 300C. I had another Pentastar equipped 300 as a loaner when my wife dropped her BMW off for service.

The Pentastar/ZF 8HP combo is FANTASTIC. The 8sp shifts lightning quick and almost feels like a CVT (we have one in the BMW too so I've got a good base to know engine behavior vs. tranny behavior). It felt nearly as quick as the 5.7L/WA580 and so my decision came down to either the V6 car or the SRT8.

For me, a Grand Cherokee with the Pentastar/8HP combo would be my choice. I'm not sure if/when that will happen but the WA580 that also comes in the GC (and the Wrangler and 300 SRT8) is mediocre at best. If the '14 300C SRT8 is equpped with one, I'll be trading in my '12 for one.

Chrysler is working with ZF to license the 8HP and begin production stateside. For 2012, all Chrysler 300's with a V6 got it while Dodge Charger's with V6 and SXT trim got it. Not sure about the Challenger or 2013 models. I suspect we'll be seeing more of it as its the standard automatic now in BMW, Audi, etc.
 

PGT

Adventurer
I should add that I had a Chrysler minivan as a loaner while my Jeep was getting an AEV hood and leather; the minivan was a V6 w/ FWD and had a 6sp auto. Man, that motor made it a tire-shredder. LOL. A hint of rain and NOTHING but wheel-spin. :sombrero:
 

bdp1978

Adventurer
First? I would research your local dealership... Check and see if any complaints are filled with the BBB, second, meander in the service bays note where the very back exit is, approach from that end and start your inquiry whose who and whose been working there the longest. If you can establish service techs that have a lengthy work history, thats a plus. Third, look around at their work area, organization? Are they slobs? Dirty nasty tools that never get wiped down or cleaned, they're clothing? Who wants all their filth in/on your $38,000 rig. Meet with the service manager, how long has he been there? Five star rating? If not, there can be mitigating circumstances, such as awful owner/s, where the sell is more important than any kind of service afterwards. The express lubes pay the least shop rate, hence, the WORST service. Not always, but, check everything before driving off the lot.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, but always be kind. It helps if you take a moment and introduce yourself as a first time potential Jeep buyer and are curious what they think, mechanics are some of the coolest folk you'll ever talk too... because they are not the guys selling you the vehicle. If you have any concerns about specifics of the vehicle you have your eye on, ask the tech who has worked there for 5 to 15 years! If their certified techs, even better! They can give you an idea of the little quirks that owners seem to complain about with such and such modal Jeep.

Meet the general manager, how long has he worked there? Does he pass your mental assessment test? Or is he just another hustler?

Sales personnel: I live in California so? Don't hold this against me ok? In the event you get approached by some wannabe gangstah kid whom cannot fathom the Kings Lingo... do not let your heart be dismayed. This has happened so much my wife with checkbook in hand suddenly, before I have a chance to say a word, has disappeared from the scene!

I wrote a whole bunch more, let's just say, "see the sells manager and explain you wish somebody who really knows Jeep product, and someone who does not insult your knowledge of Jeep. Much of the time, just as you've indicated here, you are reading, researching, way more than the average Joe car sells men out there. Its sad far to many are only there for a paycheck, thats it. Another wards, sells people do not think out of the box and consider their clientele. Other areas of the country may not be this way at all, and I do not wish to disparage all Jeep dealership, as I LOVE Jeep. It just discourages me how something so good, can be ran by the So Lame! It begins from the Top down...

My meaning here is, do not be afraid of establishing a friendly customer relationship with your jeep dealership. Meet and greet, ask questions, make it your home sorta. They need you and your wife to give them preferable excellent marks after your purchase, to include any subsequent service you have done in the future. Another-words, if your dealership truly values your business, and they remember your name each time you come back, and it is always with a smile and a handshake, well?

Thats just purdy darned cool in my book.

I'll even pay alittle bit more if I have too~why? Because they earned my trust.

Try that at CarMax, or Internet CharlieJeep.com where we guarantee the lowest prices anywhere... Yah sure buddy? Until you need service under warranty and you drive that machine of your's into the very dealership you, the wife and management got into a big flap over...

Regards to a 6 or an 8? How much and how offen you wanna tow? I love the new PenthouseStar [;>0 V6, unless you don't mind the lousy city milage the V-8 will give you.

Reliability of engines? These engines are also packaged in many other chrysler/Dodge products. Someplace (?) I read and viewed a Jeep durability report/video in detail describing all that these vehicles must be expected to endure and perform. This months Peterson FourWheeler Magazine has an article on the New Moab versus Limited Grand Cherokee TrailHawk edition.


<<<



:victory: Holy crap Ive never seen a post so long mean so little.
 

JP5EDC

New member
:victory: Holy crap Ive never seen a post so long mean so little.

Agreed- was scratching my head too, didn't even come close to answering the question. Sorry /offtopic...

Both seem to be great engines, but the hemi has enough history to prove it is a good platform. If you feel like you'd regret the MPG for the V8 over the V6 then I would probably recommend getting the V6. But on the other hand, if you want/need the power, HEMI all the way!
 
28, 000 miles on my sport JKU with Pentastar and not a single reliability issue yet... not even a hint of an issue

Sent from my IBM selectric typewriter using Tapatalk 2
 

Bennyhana

Adventurer
To me going from a 07 with 6sp to the new 13 with the auto is amazing. The only thing I've noticed is a bit more lag time in throttle response but when it catches up you're off. My buddy was floored at the break away power when were side by side on the freeway. Him in his 2011 3.8 jku at 70 mph, I pulled away like he was standing still.

On the reliability note, after 1 month of ownership and 2000 miles, nothing so far. There is a couple of threads on jk owners about bad cylinder heads in the early 12's
 

The Swiss

Expedition Leader
25,000 miles so far on my JKU and as expected no issues at all. Love the engine, nice torque and good mileage. Will ad soon a Grand Cherokee with the Pentastar to our stable of Jeeps.
 

Garbinator

SeekTheMoneyTree
Thank you for letting me know, now I know what not to type anymore, plus, I deleted the rest of my posts in here. I merely visited here for many years before registering, shame on me.


<><>
 

goin camping

Explorer
Thanks for all the replies so far. (Even the deleted ones.) The V6 seems like a good engine.

Does anyone really think jeep will have a diesel engine option in the first quarter of 2013? It would be worth the wait but the Mrs. would be most unhappy if I convinced her to wait 3.5 months for a diesel using the better mpg argument and no diesel appeared.
 

crawler#976

Expedition Leader
IMO - The cost of the deisel would, just as it does for the truck, require you to drive it for 10 years or more to make up the difference in fuel prices. In the case of the truck, it's an $7500.00 option - if the Jeep was even close to that, and the difference in mileage is no more than 5 to 7 MPG, I don't really see the advantage. The only other advantage the deisel has in a light weight vehicle is if you plan to travel where gas is not the common fuel. And, obviously, the Jeep won't be used to tow a heavy load like a 3/4 or 1T truck can.
 

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