Arkie wrote:
Just got a 2002 Liberty with 3.7. Has rattle I thought was timing components, turns out no oil pressure, somebody's been into it and patched just enough to find a sucker (me). I own/operate an automotive repair shop, have a customer/associate who goes into the deep mechanical repairs. It's his diagnosis that any money spent on present engine will be a waste unless a complete rebuild is done. I take his word, so lets not get into you should/you could scenarios.
Anyone know why 02-03 3.7 is different from earlier or later engines? According to interchange listings ONLY 02-03 can be used in these model Liberty.
If anyone's had positive experience with any particular engine source, new or used please chime in. I won't give within $500 for a 100K used motor of what a 3 year warranty unlimited mileage reman from OReilly's costs ($3,000.)
Bob
Anyone know why 02-03 3.7 is different from earlier or later engines? According to interchange listings ONLY 02-03 can be used in these model Liberty.
If anyone's had positive experience with any particular engine source, new or used please chime in. I won't give within $500 for a 100K used motor of what a 3 year warranty unlimited mileage reman from OReilly's costs ($3,000.)
Bob
From one Bob to another
The '02 & '03 Jeeps (and other Chrysler products) use the JTEC computer while the later ones use the NGC computer. The two systems don't talk to each other so there are two parts internal to the engine that are different - the cam timing sprocket and the crankshaft reluctor ring. Here's an overview with explanations of what needs to be changed from one engine to the other to get it to work with your Jeep's computer.
If you want to do a swap from a low-mileage Chrysler product you can use a block up to a 2011 (maybe a '12 thru '14 but I can't vouch for that from personal experience) and swap in the two parts I mentioned plus an EGR blocking plate and you're up and running. Trying to find a low-mileage '02 or '03 will be very difficult and expensive; Liberty-specific engines cost more than the same model years of other Chrysler products because there are fewer of them and of the uniqueness of components like the oil pan, exhaust manifolds, etc. for the Liberty. The blocks are exactly the same - it's the external components that are different but some folks just want to take out the old and put in the replacement without changing anything else out.
As far as new/rebuild engine sources... The only thing I've heard is that Jasper engines aren't what they used to be. There are a ton of rebuilt engines out on eBay, etc. but others will need to chime in with their experiences/opinions of the quality and reliability of those engines.
Keep us posted...
Bob