engine replacement advice request

[markleone22]

Hello, All. BLUF: The Gladiator I own is my first Jeep and I am not mechanically savvy in general. Apologies.

I have a 2020 Sport S with 106K miles. In the past two months, I've (really, the "Stealership") replaced the radiator, ignition coil, several tube seals, a spark plug, and the catalytic converter: approximately $4400 in parts and labor. The engine has been ticking for a couple of months and has been throwing the dreaded code for cams/lifters/rockers, so I am facing those pending repairs. Today, while they were fixing a PCV valve leak, I learned the engine likely has a blown head gasket and they are recommending that, all aforementioned considered, I replace the engine. I do not have an extended warranty. I am unaware of any factory warranties that should cover what needs to be done. I don't want to get into another Gladiator or different vehicle, as I love this one, have a metric sh*t ton of aftermarket goodies on the thing, and don't want any more car payments after this one is paid in two years. I planned on driving this until I or it dies, whichever comes first. So, I'm screwed with needing another engine.

I don't even know where to begin with this process. ChatGPT is telling me my options are "new," "remanufactured," or "used." Any thoughts/experience with this? Any thoughts on anything else about my predicament? Thanks much.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Reman is just fine in these.

Or - find a good low mileage used, but then - what if in 10,000 miles you start to run into similar issues?
Frankly, if it was mine - I'd go a remanufactured engine. I'd not even hesitate.

Your vehicle, but if it was mine, I'd not even blink - I'd order a reman engine.

 

[markleone22]

Reman is just fine in these.

Or - find a good low mileage used, but then - what if in 10,000 miles you start to run into similar issues?
Frankly, if it was mine - I'd go a remanufactured engine. I'd not even hesitate.

Your vehicle, but if it was mine, I'd not even blink - I'd order a reman engine.

Thanks, Bill.

 

[darkhorse13]

I heard reman'd engines cost $31,994.00 and the new AMW 425 installed costs $31,995.00... so for $1 more you could go this route I recently sold my JTR so I'm now here to help members spend their money in the way that I wanted to. ha.

In all seriousness, I hope you get your Jeep fixed in a cost effective manner with the reman'd engine. Sorry to hear of all these troubles

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I heard reman'd engines cost $31,994.00 and the new AMW 425 installed costs $31,995.00... so for $1 more you could go this route I recently sold my JTR so I'm now here to help members spend their money in the way that I wanted to. ha.

In all seriousness, I hope you get your Jeep fixed in a cost effective manner with the reman'd engine. Sorry to hear of all these troubles

HAHAHA - about 10 times off, there.

$3,200-4,000

I'm sure if you kicked in the extra $26,000 he'd maybe consider it.

Some of the remanufactured 3.6s have a pretty decent warranty as well.

 

[Charles 236]

I would definitely go with a Mopar reman engine. The warranty is longer than the warranty on a new engine (unless it has changed recently). There is nothing wrong with a new engine either, except for the cost. Used engines are each unique, you may get a great low mileage engine or one that was poorly maintained and run hard. It is about the same amount of work to install any of these engines in a Jeep, just minor differences such as transferring covers.

 

[gouacats]

Just so you have an idea of the cost of a new one, the dealer replaced mine at 93k miles under an extended warranty a couple of months ago. They replaced it with a new engine and the bill was somewhere around $7500, all of which, except $100 was covered by the warranty. The new engine has a 3-year, 100k mile warranty. Should give you an idea of the high end cost for a new engine.

 

[TheTrailGeek]

If you live near a shop that does hemi swaps, a lot of times they will have engines and transmissions they've pulled that are reasonably price. Example below.

https://www.rubitrux.com/mopar-take-off-engine-wrangler-jl-gladiator-jt.html

 

[markleone22]

If you live near a shop that does hemi swaps, a lot of times they will have engines and transmissions they've pulled that are reasonably price. Example below.

https://www.rubitrux.com/mopar-take-off-engine-wrangler-jl-gladiator-jt.html

So again...as someone mostly illiterate when it comes to this stuff, say more about "hemi swaps." You gotta use language like I'm 5.

Replace the Pentastar with what exactly? Why is this arguably better? How does the "hemi" differ from the Pentastar? Thanks.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Reman is just fine in these.

Or - find a good low mileage used, but then - what if in 10,000 miles you start to run into similar issues?
Frankly, if it was mine - I'd go a remanufactured engine. I'd not even hesitate.

Your vehicle, but if it was mine, I'd not even blink - I'd order a reman engine.

No question. Me too. New is a waste of money in comparison. And some reman companies give you good options for upgraded pistons, cams, and countless other things. Sometimes you get better than stock.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

So again...as someone mostly illiterate when it comes to this stuff, say more about "hemi swaps." You gotta use language like I'm 5.

Replace the Pentastar with what exactly? Why is this arguably better? How does the "hemi" differ from the Pentastar? Thanks.

An expensive gas-guzzling V8........ those outfits pull the original 3.6 out and stick a V8 in it.
HOWEVER, how was that 6 used by the person "needing" the V8 -was it hammered until it was replaced?

 

[TheTrailGeek]

So again...as someone mostly illiterate when it comes to this stuff, say more about "hemi swaps." You gotta use language like I'm 5.

Replace the Pentastar with what exactly? Why is this arguably better? How does the "hemi" differ from the Pentastar? Thanks.

These companies swap hemis into Jeep Gladiators with low miles, then they pull out the 3.6L engines and resell them with varying miles on them. So you might be able to find a low mileage 3.6l replacement from one of those shops and they will typically also do installs. So replacing the engine you have with the exact same engine but with a low mileage engine that was pulled from a truck they swapped a hemi into.

 

[WILDHOBO]

So again...as someone mostly illiterate when it comes to this stuff, say more about "hemi swaps." You gotta use language like I'm 5.

Replace the Pentastar with what exactly? Why is this arguably better? How does the "hemi" differ from the Pentastar? Thanks.

Hemi is a mopar v8. If you’re fine with emissions nightmares, or live somewhere without emissions testing, you end up with a super powerful Jeep, but a monster price tag.

 

[JerseyMark]

You can get used engines from Rubitrux, they do heni swaps and sell the 3.6 they remove. They price them based on mileage and have some with less than 10k miles. Although if it is similar cost for a factory reman, that may be better with the warranty, etc…

https://www.rubitrux.com/mopar-take-off-engine-wrangler-jl-gladiator-jt.html

 

[TheTrailGeek]

You can get used engines from Rubitrux, they do heni swaps and sell the 3.6 they remove. They price them based on mileage and have some with less than 10k miles. Although if it is similar cost for a factory reman, that may be better with the warranty, etc…

https://www.rubitrux.com/mopar-take-off-engine-wrangler-jl-gladiator-jt.html

You worded it much better than I did.

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