3.6 Penstar Poll!

[Erievon]

Huh, intresting. Mine came back fine. They did do an alignment and it isn't actually aligned lol

That sad, Jeep SFA alignments are so straight forward (no pun intended).

My best friend bought his from the same dealer on the same day, identical JTR to mine except for color. I had him call the service advisor and run his vin, it didn't apply to his. Must be a very small batch on a certain day or something.

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[Hootbro]

Day later then promised, just got my truck back. Here's the paperwork if it's helpful to anyone. The service advisor said it only applied to a select few trucks? Hopefully this means my cams will live a long healthy life.

That listed Rapid Response Transmittal "RRT 23-131" would have the lowdown on what drove that replacement. Must be pretty fresh as it has not been picked up on Google. Would need someone with Tech Authority access to get a copy.

 

[Erievon]

Well, 24 hrs since I got it back. Other then some greasy fingerprints all over my intake manifold, it's just as smooth, quiet, and peppy as it was before (Shrug). I'd love to see the substance of this RRT and why my truck was part of the specific target group.

 

[MudderNuker]

I currently have both an Ecodiesel and a Pentastar. I also have a 2.0 E Torque turbo in a JLU Rubicon. The Pentastar is unacceptably gutless in western mountains but it has proven to be the most reliable.
The published towing numbers for the Pentastar are ridiculous unless you’re ok with “safely” towing at 45 MPH @ 4,500 RPM.
I love the Ecodiesel and I’m considering grabbing another one before they’re all gone.

Coming from a '21 Sierra 1500 AT4 Duramax diesel and towing the same flatbed and camper, all I can say is that the 3.6 on my JTW is more than adequate. While it doesn't have a mountain of torque I was surprised at how well it tows our 20 foot Geo Pro and our tandem axle flatbed with my YJ on top. Gas mileage is similar to the Duramax while towing as gas engines tend to be more efficient than diesel when towing. 14 mpg on the Dmax and 13 MPG on the JTW. Not having to worry about DEF fluid and expensive diesel makes up for the slight disadvantage on the 3.6. By the way, I live in a mountainous area in NM and our property sits right at 7,300 ft. in elevation. My JTW has 33" tires and I didn't notice much difference if at all when I upsized from the 32" tires it came with.

Also, I owned a '13 Grand Cherokee for 10 years and the only issue I had with the 3.6 was the oil pressure switch which I fixed.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/first-toad-verdict-?-1992-yj-with-the-2021-willys.70419/

 

[BigRed2020]

60K on my 2020 Gladiator and my wife has 19K on her 2021 Grand Cherokee… also we had a 2012 Grand Caravan with the 3.6 w/160K when we got rid of it and the only maintenance I did was spark plugs, the front half of the rocker arms and a thermostat… other than general maintenance the motor was very solid. Never left us stranded!!

 

[cranbiz]

It's a solid motor. I have a Gen 1 in my JK and 2 Gen 2's, one in the Grand Cherokee and in the Gladiator.

Yes, I have a 12 JK and it needed the head replaced under warranty but that's the only issue I had with it that was Jeep's fault. I proactively replaced the oil cooler in the JK at 110K with a Dorman but that was because I was in there to replace the temp sensor. The Grand is at 120K now and I have only put plugs in it at 100K.

The 3.6 does everything I ask of it.

 

[Mr Miami]

Not to hi-jack this thread, but since we are talking about the different generations of 3.6 motors, what exactly are the range of years of the generations? And are they further divided by the PUG, VVT or whatever acronyms we are using? I have a '16 Wrangler JKU and a '24 Gladiator JTR, both with the 3.6.

Just a: 20xx-20xx = Gen 1
20xx-20xx = Gen 2 etc. would be nice.

 

[Charles 236]

The first generation of 3.6 is the Classic Pentastar, made from modelbyear 2010 until 2023. It had VVT (Variable Valve Timing) but not VVL (Variable Valve Lift). The second generation is the Pentastar Upgrade, or PUG. It has both VVT and VVL, it was introduced in the 2016 model year and is still in production. In addition to VVT and VVL, it has high compression, coated main and rod bearings, cooled EGR, and other upgrades, many aimed at improving durability in vehicles equipped with stop/start technology.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The first generation of 3.6 is the Classic Pentastar, made from modelbyear 2010 until 2023. It had VVT (Variable Valve Timing) but not VVL (Variable Valve Lift). The second generation is the Pentastar Upgrade, or PUG. It has both VVT and VVL, it was introduced in the 2016 model year and is still in production. In addition to VVT and VVL, it has high compression, coated main and rod bearings, cooled EGR, and other upgrades, many aimed at improving durability in vehicles equipped with stop/start technology.

...........and different oil pump design, different timing chain design...........................

I believe the PUG came out in the Grand Cherokee and Durango in the 2016 model year, and others slowly from there.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Not to hi-jack this thread, but since we are talking about the different generations of 3.6 motors, what exactly are the range of years of the generations? And are they further divided by the PUG, VVT or whatever acronyms we are using? I have a '16 Wrangler JKU and a '24 Gladiator JTR, both with the 3.6.

Just a: 20xx-20xx = Gen 1
20xx-20xx = Gen 2 etc. would be nice.

In a nutshell, only 2 generations. Wrangler didn't get the PUG, or 2nd gen until the jl. The PUG was introduced slowly so no distinct cutoff other than what Charles said.

 

[Mr Miami]

Thanks all for the replies. So from what I understand, my 2016 Wrangler JKU probably is not the PUG. Is there any reason to know that it is or isn't a PUG (type of oil later in life or something) or just something a mechanic would need to know?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thanks all for the replies. So from what I understand, my 2016 Wrangler JKU probably is not the PUG. Is there any reason to know that it is or isn't a PUG (type of oil later in life or something) or just something a mechanic would need to know?

JK is always the old version 3.6, gen 1. Always.
The upgrade (Pentastar UpGrade) didn't hit Wrangler until JL. So the break is 2018 model year - that's when the JL and upgrade engine came to Wrangler.
If it says VVL it's a PUG, or 2nd gen engine.

There are other tells (external signs) - like the cooled EGR, a coolant temp sensor in the thermostat housing of the PUG engine, VVL oil control solenoids mounted front and rear on each bank.

 

[Mr Miami]

Many thanks. At least I know what I have and can put on some aura of intelligence when the subject arises.

 

[Stan H]

Option 3 & 5 ....

 

[DanW]

PUG showed up in the 2018 JL

Not to hi-jack this thread, but since we are talking about the different generations of 3.6 motors, what exactly are the range of years of the generations? And are they further divided by the PUG, VVT or whatever acronyms we are using? I have a '16 Wrangler JKU and a '24 Gladiator JTR, both with the 3.6.

Just a: 20xx-20xx = Gen 1
20xx-20xx = Gen 2 etc. would be nice.
.

PUG showed up around 2017 in the Grand Cherokee. It was also in the JL and the JT.

If the Jeep has ESS and is a V6, it is the PUG. The JL with EToraue also is the PUG. PUG is also often called the Gen 2.

There are always minor changes year to year, but not enough to earn a new name.

The Gen 1 served in the JK through the 2018 model year, which was the last in a Wrangler and last year for the JK

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