Traverse, Enclaves look like nice cars but I'm afraid of the 3.6

[Johnd393]

Read a lot of stuff about 3.6 timing chain issues and the difficulty & cost to fix. It has caused me to avoid anything with this engine. We were also thinking of a Impala but I looked for a 4 cylinder. For now we bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but there's room for replacement of one of my older vehicles. Am I wrong?

 

[mrrsm]

Congratulations...You have made a Splendid Choice for your SUV with the purchase of your Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee. Towards the end of last year, my Daughter In Law drove hers (2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee) right into destruction on the interstate, not understanding that an All Aluminum Engine such as the Chrysler Pentastar 3.6L Motor will soon become -=unusable=- if there is any mysterious Loss of Coolant either from a Failed Radiator ...or via hose connections to the Heater Core failing right at the Firewall.

Also ...with Plastic Parts for the Oil Pump Housing and Water Pump that can suddenly crack...these are Single Point Failures worth anticipating and fixing well before any issues develop by insisting on replacing these delicate plastics items with Cast Aluminum Parts.

These failures resulted in my underwriting a $12,000.00 Engine Replacement for her ($6K for the Engine and $6K for the Authorized Pro Shop Installation with extended Parts and Labor and Warranties) via "The Fraser Engine and Transmission Company".

While a very expensive lesson in caution and care evolved from this event, my understanding of just how incredibly well designed the Chrysler 3.6L Engine has much improved. God Forbid you should have Users and Drivers of that Jeep without a keen understanding that at the VERY INSTANT they can see or sense any Steam, Coolant Odor or Increase in either Oil Temperature or Water-Coolant Temperature... to Pull Off The Road ...SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY ... and Call for a Tow... and Save that Engine from Total Failure.

By doing my MUCH Due Diligence, my choice of the Fraser Company was a Life Saver. For your benefit... Have a look at just how astonishing your Engine really is...and observe all of the Modifications and Improvements such that it comes with an Un-Limited Mileage Warranty against internal Engine Failure. As times passes... look into making any changes suggested below to ensure a very long life for your Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L Pentastar Motor:

Find out as much as you can well in advance of any hidden weaknesses with your Engine and Drive Train and be Very Pro-Active in making whatever changes and upgrades necessary and you will Enjoy Driving that Jeep ...For as long as Grass is Green... and Skies Are Blue!

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fraser+engine+and+transmission

 

[Johnd393]

Thanks for that detailed response. I had not read about the water pump issue. Will watch all those videos. My take on it is the water pump, valve lifter, & oil cooler issues are all things that can be fixed just working under the hood.
What happened is a rental for a 3000 mile road trip ended up being a 23 JGC Limited. We enjoyed driving it and it just felt right for us. Was a surprise. I had never drove a Jeep before. Part of it was how 2 tall old people fit in it. I'm really a GM guy, Our other cars are old, We appreciated the new safety tech. I started looking for a deal on off rental cars. No need for off road capability. RWD for less stuff to go wrong. Took a while to find a low mileage 2024 Laredo base model with RWD. Cars history was some kind of corporate lease. Some money came in from a dead relatives estate. He would be pissed that he didn't buy us a Ford. I'm getting too old to keep fixing cars. I was time for a new (almost) car. Bought a 8 year 85k extended warranty. With the expected use that should get me to 2030. I'll be 90.
I have a 2001 Impala waiting for me to fix a rusted brake line and a 2004 Trailblazer project car. So I'm still a qualified GM guy.

 

[northcreek]

In reading your first post I believe that you were concerned about GM's 3.6 not the Pentastar V6.
The timing chain issues are believed to be caused by people allowing oil levels to get low, when this happens the hydraulic chain tensioner cannot do it's job and thus the problem.
We presently drive a 23 Blazer 3.6 and love it, previously we had a Equinox 3.6 with over 100K miles and no issues, neither one used much oil between changes but, hey you have to check it every now and then, right ?

 

[Johnd393]

We owned a couple Buicks in the past. I was concidering getting a bigger vehicle with some towing capacity. I developed an interest in a Enclave. But I read horror stories of multiple timing chain failures with repairs being a engine out procedure. I'm not a truck person. I see the Traverse/Enclave as less truck like. I'm normally a used car buyer and I'm seeing some car seem to be lasting well beyond 200k. On the used car market my 2005 minivan with 120k on it looks like low mileage. The 3.8 in my 2001 Impala has a reputation for longevity, is at 80k. Was wife's work car but she retired 15 years ago. so low mileage for it's age. My 2004 Trailblazer runs great at 178k.
So used cars I might purchase for secondary driver use may start with 100k miles on them.

 

[TollKeeper]

The 3.6HF Engine that GM has been producing since 2005 is just simply a planned obsolescence engine. They made slight improvements with the engine in 2012, but its still a junk engine. I will not own one.

The 3.6 Pentastar engine CAN be decent. My brother owns one, and has had remarkably good luck with it in his 2014 Dodge Ram 1500. He has just at 100k on it.

Another person I know owns a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500, and he is currently working on trying to get his oil cooler/filter housing replaced. I got him a all metal replacement. Thing has A LOT of miles on it. Last seen it was at 236k miles.

 

[Mooseman]

Shamelessly copied from Google AI:

Timing chain issues in the GM 3.6L engine (LY7 and early LLT) were largely addressed by the 2012–2013 model years. While severe issues were prevalent in 2007-2010 models, updates to the PCV venting and revised oil specifications significantly improved reliability in 2012+, although some minor, less common issues continued in later, high-mileage engines.
Key Details on Timing Chain Resolution:

• Significant Improvement: By 2012, changes were made to reduce the common, premature timing chain stretching issue.
• Major Fixes: The 2013-2016 models are generally considered to have the most robust fixes, including improved oil flow to the chains.
• Maintenance Factors: While the design was improved, these engines still require strict maintenance (specifically frequent oil changes with full synthetic) to prevent oil sludge and eventual chain stretching.
• Recommendation: When buying a used 3.6L GM engine, 2013 or newer is recommended for better reliability, though proper maintenance is critical even on those.

The most severe, widespread issues are linked to 2007-2010 models, with 2011 acting as a transition year where improvements began.

Personal comment: I'd look at 2013+ as long as maintenance was done religiously or, even better, at shorter intervals.

 

[Johnd393]

I'm at a transition period as I'm aging out of my willingness, motivation, & ability to repair my own vehicles. I still want to do some work, but there 5 cars waiting for their turn. I'm gonna have to sell/junk something as is, just to shorten the work list. Before I add anything else
I have a 1963 Jaguar XKE. I will own it till I die. Wife can sell it. Whether it runs or not. I own an XKE.

 

[TollKeeper]

In between the Jeep GC, its kissing cousin the Dodge Durango, or owning any GM with a 3.6... As much as it pains me to say it, I would take the Jeep/Dodge. They have their own set of problems, and they are just as expensive. But the transmission issues, and the timing chain issues that the GM 3.6HF have.. Just no.. NO NO NO

 

[Johnd393]

I also have a 2007 Chrysler Aspen. The seller had recently relocated here from Arizona. Paid too much but It was RWD and beautiful. It's got the 4.7L V8. Was a bit of a impulse buy. Everything here is rusty. It was to damn nice to pass up. I knew about Aspens and liked the look. The Aspen is so much prettier than a Durango. Turns out without the towing package, I can not confirm any towing capacity beyond 2000 lbs. Any information I can find is qualified with "for vehicles with factory towing packages".
I did have some thoughts of getting a camper, but wife want's nothing to do with it. So I guess I don't need towing.

 

[mrrsm]

You'll appreciate observing "Rain Man Ray"...a Pro Mechanic of much YT Channel Repute from Bradenton, FL ...performing the Oil Cooler R&R for the 3.6L Pentastar Motor that will give you an excellent "One Over The World" View of all that this entails as "A Necessary Evil":

 

[Johnd393]

Should be covered by warranty until 2031
Yeah, Rain Man Ray & South main Auto are frequently watched. Like fixing cars without getting my hands dirty. Interesting how they handle difficult diagnostics.