3.6 Codes issue & diagnoses

[Lost1wing]

Nope. As soon as I posted that I saw it.

What is your oil change schedule and oil type that you use? Do you start the engine and drive or do you warm it up first? Do you baby the engine or you ride it hard? Asking for our friends. None of it should matter but I'd like to know if anything accelerates the wear.

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[ucijeepguy]

What is your oil change schedule and oil type that you use? Do you start the engine and drive or do you warm it up first? Do you baby the engine or you ride it hard? Asking for our friends. None of it should matter but I'd like to know if anything accelerates the wear.

I change the oil when the computer says. So about5k? Talking to dealer I’ll prop ably
Lower it down to 4k now. I usually start and make sure I have oil pressure and go. I usually ride hard but since this check engine I’ve been babying it. I used to tow a lot when I first got it but haven’t much in the last 2-3 years. I’d say the best thing is shorter oil changes and there’s an adapter you can get to reduce the oil starvation issues through a check adapter on the oil filter. But this is speculation since I’m only now doing repair. By far worse engine I’ve had in the last 20 years.

 

[Lost1wing]

I'm at about 70k now with only one hiccup after sitting a while. I had some cold start tapping that lasted only a second or two. It only did it once and it had been parked while on vacation. Normally it would be driven at least every 3 or 4 days.

I have towed once for about 3 or 4 hundred miles. I had a few hills so the rpm was pretty high most of the trip. I never towed again with it. I'm pretty easy on it and keep the rpms pretty low. I change oil a 10k like all of my other vehicles ( or once a year).

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I change the oil when the computer says. So about5k?

If that's the case, you must use it hard, idle a lot or tow a lot for the oil life monitor to suggest a change at only 5K.
Towing, mine only ever goes down to 8K on the oil life monitor.
5,000 miles for most people would leave at least 20-30% left on the oil life monitor (except for those doing harsh environments and off-roading)

 

[Hootbro]

I'm at about 70k now with only one hiccup after sitting a while. I had some cold start tapping that lasted only a second or two. It only did it once and it had been parked while on vacation. Normally it would be driven at least every 3 or 4 days.

I would say that is normal for extended sitting length. Have had it on all 4 of my JT's if I let them sit for more than a week. It is like 2 seconds of rattle and goes away.

 

[ucijeepguy]

I'm at about 70k now with only one hiccup after sitting a while. I had some cold start tapping that lasted only a second or two. It only did it once and it had been parked while on vacation. Normally it would be driven at least every 3 or 4 days.

I have towed once for about 3 or 4 hundred miles. I had a few hills so the rpm was pretty high most of the trip. I never towed again with it. I'm pretty easy on it and keep the rpms pretty low. I change oil a 10k like all of my other vehicles ( or once a year).

It only took me 2-3 hours to remove the pass side equipment and cover. May be worth doing to check and have peace of mind. I wish I would have done that when the issue first started. It didn’t consistently show up in the check engine light and then figuring out a diagnosis.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I would say that is normal for extended sitting length. Have had it on all 4 of my JT's if I let them sit for more than a week. It is like 2 seconds of rattle and goes away.

That's lash adjusters bleeding down.
That's been the case since the advent of hydraulic lifters.

 

[ucijeepguy]

If that's the case, you must use it hard, idle a lot or tow a lot for the oil life monitor to suggest a change at only 5K.
Towing, mine only ever goes down to 8K on the oil life monitor.
5,000 miles for most people would leave at least 20-30% left on the oil life monitor (except for those doing harsh environments and off-roading)

Harsh wise I wouldn’t say any harder than normal off road conditions that you see for a clean truck in this site. The 5k is an estimate but generally pretty regularly. I did a lot of towing first 2-3 years but it was a tab 400 which only weighs 3000-3500 lbs. but on the highway here in Colorado and to Utah can be challenging if there’s a huge mountain or headwind.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It only took me 2-3 hours to remove the pass side equipment and cover. May be worth doing to check and have peace of mind. I wish I would have done that when the issue first started. It didn’t consistently show up in the check engine light and then figuring out a diagnosis.

Unless the PCM calls for high lift mode, as long as it's in low lift mode, there will be nothing to report or set the MIL. Low lift is just fine, it will idle fine and cruise fine. Only when the high lift is called for - when power is needed - and the PCM senses the problem because there's enough wear to cause the valve to not be opening as far as it should, will there be a code.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Harsh wise I wouldn’t say any harder than normal off road conditions that you see for a clean truck in this site. The 5k is an estimate but generally pretty regularly. I did a lot of towing first 2-3 years but it was a tab 400 which only weighs 3000-3500 lbs. but on the highway here in Colorado and to Utah can be challenging if there’s a huge mountain or headwind.

Higher altitudes it has to breathe harder to generate the same power as low elevations, so that makes a lot of sense. (not to mention the inclines)
Really, the take-away is you did pretty regular oil changes and nothing out of the ordinary in the big picture.

 

[ucijeepguy]

Correct. Which is why I’m pretty disappointed. Like with my LJ I was wheeling really hard! Sideways a lot. Lots of inclines and hard bouncing revs. Never had an issue until it was struck by lightning! Now has a hemi haha

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Never had an issue until it was struck by lightning!

Seriously? Hope you weren't anywhere near it!

 

[ucijeepguy]

Correct. Which is why I’m pretty disappointed. Like with my LJ I was wheeling really hard! Sideways a lot. Lots of inclines and hard bouncing revs. Never had an issue until it was struck by lightning! Now has a hemi haha

Seriously? Hope you weren't anywhere near it!

haha no it happened overnight and was very confusing. Exploded my fb antenna, fried a rabbit hiding under and blew the plastic windows among pcm issues. Ended up swapping a hemi into it

 

[Lost1wing]

I would say that is normal for extended sitting length. Have had it on all 4 of my JT's if I let them sit for more than a week. It is like 2 seconds of rattle and goes away.

When I get settled in at my new place, I may take a deeper look. Next filter is getting stretched out for sure. Time for a lot of other maintenance type chores.

 

[ucijeepguy]

Unless the PCM calls for high lift mode, as long as it's in low lift mode, there will be nothing to report or set the MIL. Low lift is just fine, it will idle fine and cruise fine. Only when the high lift is called for - when power is needed - and the PCM senses the problem because there's enough wear to cause the valve to not be opening as far as it should, will there be a code.

Okay. Now I’m concerned again. I was installing new tappets (cam follower)and checked the springiness and most are springy but one is not. Now I’m worried it will be similar situation. Any thoughts?

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