3.6 Pentastar Issues Thread

[Treburkulosis]

19k on my wife’s 19 Pacifica Limited. Minus it Falling on its face when you need to pass and some electrical issues, ours has been fine. This is her second 3.6 Pacifica and it will our last unfortunately when it left me stranded due to the stop start taking out the battery at 12k miles she was done. Lease is up next August.

 

[Gort]

The only 3.6 that I have is in my 2012 Wrangler. It's the version of 3.6 with the cylinder head issues. I've got 48K on it right now (I don't drive the Wrangler every day). Jeep did extend the cylinder head warranty on it to 10 years or 150K, but I still haven't needed a new cylinder head. Mind you, it does have "the tick" but still hasn't thrown any codes. The only non-recall issues that I've had with the vehicle are the obligatory axle seals and that my thermostat stuck open about 9 months ago.

I do notice that it's been running just a tad warmer than it did when I got it (about 1 or 2 needle widths warmer on the gauge - haven't checked the actual temps since the 2012 didn't have the fancy-schmancy instrument clusters that provide all that info and I don't feel like driving around with my laptop on the seat next to me and plugged into the OBD port).

I did a cooling system flush/fill at 5 years and again when I replaced the thermostat and used the proper coolant (in the case of the 2012s, it's HOAT). It does seem to lose just a bit of coolant over a longer period of time, but it's not in the oil and it's not leaking out anywhere -- or at least enough to leave a puddle. I don't see any symptoms of a warped head/burning coolant either.

My next step is to replace the radiator. Overall, it's not really that big of a deal as it's never overheated, even going up long hills in 95-degree weather. Still, I'm curious whether it's related to the head issue or the oil cooler issue (or even a failing temp sensor) and what the ultimate solution could be.

 

[rvance]

I had a 13 with 83k miles, no issues. I have a 17 now with 59k and no issues. Very happy. (knock on wood)

 

[SteveBlack]

I have a 2015 SLT with 128,000 and have not had a single problem. I had a coil pack go on me once, but other than that, it's been running beautifully.

 

[brad byron]

There must be somebody that's had a problem with the 3.6 as nothing is perfect.

had to replace some cam followers that started to clatter. 79+ thousand miles. replaced all 24 as well as all 24 lifters(all Mellings parts) even thought only a few had failed roller bearings. was a big job to get to them....didnt want to have to tear it down all over again if some other s went bad. cam lobes were fine with no sign on all 4 cams from the worn followers........

 

[rule18]

Updating my original post from April 2019. Now at 30k miles, still no motor issues at all.

 

[NOV87]

Just a little over 30k on our 3.6. No issues with the motor.

 

[Ramalario123]

My wife had 178k miles on her 2011 durango citadel when she traded in. Just regular maintenance. Thermostat replaced at around 140k because it was running 15-20 degrees below normal. Besides that 0 issues. Not even a water pump or serpentine belt!

 

[Boxman]

My 2013 4x4has 105,000 miles on it. The only issue has been a cracked thermostat housing at about 100k mile. It was replaced under my maxcare wsrranty. I was surprised that the housing is plastic also.
With 8 spped and 3.55 rear, it has plenty of power.

BTW. I have an overall average of 20mpg. About 60% highway.

 

[AK-red]

80k on a 2015 Durango and it is leaking oil in several locations around the valve covers. Otherwise no issues however it does sound like the valve train is getting noisier. The engine has been a pretty good performer, very reliable and has seen a bit of towing near the vehicle rating. I really like the Pentastar overall and am more confident having it in my Ram that I would be with a Hemi based on what I have seen my friends deal with. On the Durango I plan on changing the coolant and thermostat this spring. Already did the plugs.. PITA! Always synthetic oil at 5k intervals.

 

[Rado]

2015 1500. Pentastar V6 83000 on the clock

Has anyone replaced the Plastic Oil Filter with the Dorman Metal one ?

If so is there any change in Oil temps ?

Is it a royal pain to change ?

Just thinking of changing it next oil change , As they are prone to cracking as they get older

Dorman Products - PA900389

Steering Pitman Arm

www.dormanproducts.com

Thanks

 

[SitKneelBend]

2015 1500. Pentastar V6 83000 on the clock

Has anyone replaced the Plastic Oil Filter with the Dorman Metal one ?

If so is there any change in Oil temps ?

Is it a royal pain to change ?

Just thinking of changing it next oil change , As they are prone to cracking as they get older

Dorman Products - PA900389

Steering Pitman Arm

www.dormanproducts.com

Thanks

I haven't but I'm totally going to. I didn't know this all metal one was made (or if I did I forgot).

 

[Rado]

I haven't but I'm totally going to. I didn't know this all metal one was made (or if I did I forgot).I do not remember how I found it, But probably here ! I know plastic does turn brittle from heat , So game plna next oil change I'll have my mechanic do it ! I can give him my parts and he will do labor only, But he dioes discount my parts, I used to deliver parts to him :0 Plus fill up at his dad's pumps for over 20 years !,

My guess about 3/4 hrs @ maybe less ! But I plan on the 500$ range parts and install ! Hopefully done cheaper lol.
Some cool videos out there on You Tube Seems the OEM has plastic plugs that sometime blow out :O

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAo99Md85hE

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dorman+926+876

 

[DILLIGAF]

Wife has this in her 2018 JK. I was shocked how underpowered and gutless this 3.6L is.

She just hit 35xxx and No issues yet. But will be getting a custom tune and 4.88 this summer.

 

[SitKneelBend]

My guess about 3/4 hrs @ maybe less ! But I plan on the 500$ range parts and install ! Hopefully done cheaper lol.
Some cool videos out there on You Tube Seems the OEM has plastic plugs that sometime blow out :O

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAo99Md85hE

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dorman+926+876

Just FYSA, you have a 2015 and they improved the upper intake manifold in 2016 to one with improved airflow/efficiency.

I believe you'll be right there and a few fasteners away from that mod too if you are already replacing the OEM with the Dormant. You may want to add it to tour list?

I plan on doing the Ripp coil packs too when I finally get around to this (my extended warranty is almost up).

 

[TommyGuns777]

Trade my Jk with 248,000km on it and it was still running strong.

No issues to report. I really liked that engine.

 

[Rado]

Just FYSA, you have a 2015 and they improved the upper intake manifold in 2016 to one with improved airflow/efficiency.

I believe you'll be right there and a few fasteners away from that mod too if you are already replacing the OEM with the Dormant. You may want to add it to tour list?

I plan on doing the Ripp coil packs too when I finally get around to this (my extended warranty is almost up).

I did not know that. A great idea, I will have to find that part ! A little extra now say $$$ later lol

any one specific ? I assume OEM ?

What improvement did you notice id any ???


Thanks

 

[rvance]

I put 88k miles on my last 3.6, a '13, before it got totaled, and I have 68k on my '17. Zero defects to report.

 

[SitKneelBend]

I did not know that. A great idea, I will have to find that part ! A little extra now say $$$ later lol

any one specific ? I assume OEM ?

What improvement did you notice id any ???


Thanks

Here's what I'm referring too. All the info you need is in the description...

Pentastar V6 | PUG Upgrade | Lower intake manifold

So here we go. We are installing the lower intake manifold from the 2018 and up Chrysler, Dodge, RAM, Jeep V6 Pentastar Engine with the start/stop technology...

youtu.be

 

[Rado]

Here's what I'm referring too. All the info you need is in the description...

Pentastar V6 | PUG Upgrade | Lower intake manifold

So here we go. We are installing the lower intake manifold from the 2018 and up Chrysler, Dodge, RAM, Jeep V6 Pentastar Engine with the start/stop technology...

youtu.be

Thanks for the link