Jerry, Micheal and the Shift Autowerks crew just did a 60,000 mile service on my JL. I WILL NOT go anywhere else for either of our Jeeps. We live 30+ miles away and when you find a good, honest repair shop, you go the extra mile. Thanks, guys, for taking care of us and thanks Brad for introducing us to Jerry and Shift Autowerks. 😉✌
3:28 the oil cooler doesnt fail from revving the engine or hard use. Its from how people remove the oil filter cap. They will slightly push and bend the entire housing when unscrewing the filter cap and will cause a lower crack or allow a seal to leak. 5:01 The aluminum housing will leak from its lower seals. Ive even seen one where it wasnt machined correctly and didnt allow the oil pressure sensor to read oil pressure. They didnt drill the hole all the way through to get a reading lol 6:07 the fuse array is not common to fail unless you Jumpstart with the leads backwards or you don't disconnect the main and auxiliary correctly at the negative terminal. You don't need to carry an extra one lol. 13:32 the nut doesn't become loose all the time because it has a cotter pin in. Some have been found not to be torqued to spec from the factory. There's a TSB on it.
Brad, at 9:30 you discuss carrying a spare serpentine belt on the trail. The best way to do this? When you put in a new belt, roll up the old belt and stuff it under your seat. Instant spare! It’s free, it will get you back to civilization, and you know it’s the right size.
This could be the most useful video I’ve seen on RUclips in a while. I wish there was one of these videos made for every make/model vehicle out there so you know what you’re getting into when buying. This shouldn’t discourage someone from buying a vehicle, all vehicles have issues. I would just love to know what the common ones are so I don’t feel so lost when sometime comes up.
This video is pure gold. Thank you Brad! There are all kinds of opinions on the internet but it is so incredibly valuable to hear advice like this from someone who has so much experience in these vehicles. In my book this goes right up there with your wrangler aftermarket suspension comparison
This is great information for us newbies that have the gladiators and have been driving now for two and a half years now. 😬we need to check all these parts now.
We drove from Oakland, CA to Coldfoot, AK and back, in our 2008 Jeep Liberty (3.7L engine, manual transmission) and our only real issue was a tiny leak in the heater core at the trip's halfway point, which a small shot of Bars Leaks fixed for thousands of miles more. The heater core was replaced over 6 months later. We crossed the 100,000 mile mark on that trip.
really really useful video... although, i feel like one obvious thing that wasn't mentioned that absolutely everyone should check before going on a trip ... the spare tire!!!! check that it has air in it, that it holds air.
Great video. I hate I missed the second day of the show with the show and shine event. Thanks for showing some of the cool rigs there. Hopefully I can catch it in person next year.
Love these videos. Note: While I appreciate the solder job. Solder isn't always better than a proper butt connector, especially under the hood. The heat cycles on the solder connection can cause it to break down and come undone over time. A quality heat shrink butt connector w/grease can be a better option.
My stock 2013 oil cooler went out at 120k when we were having -5 degree days. The extreme temperature swing cracked the plastic and I also replaced it with the aluminum housing.
Great video. Thank you as always Brad for sharing this. As i watch this i have serious doubts about the long term usage of this engine in an off roaster. Perhaps I'm over reacting. I had one in my T&C that didn't fail me. I took great care of it. 160k miles.
Thank you so very much this is exactly the info you need to know before going bush that other brands n most vehicle types info just isn't available for and that's a disaster waiting to happen as you either pack too many tools or wrong ones altogether same with parts n problem areas to look for brilliant idea just brilliant
Brad This video really deflates my desires to buy a jeep. With so many jeep issues that Jerry points out like failure points, weak points and will eventually fail or known problem part in the jeep to a 392 that needs an aftermarket transfer??? What is jeep doing? Cheap plastic parts to seals that can’t last 50k miles. Why buy a Jeep then???
One thing I noticed that was not mentioned while doing the under vehicle inspection was mention on your axle & transfer case vents . If you’re planning a trip where you may be doing water crossings deep enough to go past halfway up your tire height , then definitely make sure your vents are obviously higher than the water level will get , any lubricant that gets contaminated by water entry will cause serious damage in short order , and at minimum carry extra gear oil to possibly change yours out in a pinch if there’s ANY DOUBT about conditions that may have encountered while off the beaten path . Good video otherwise, and curious to see how your rig fared at the end after your epic journey is over Brad . Stay safe buddy . 😎👍
This video really confirms my lack of faith in Jeep products. I keep wondering what will be the next thing that fails and will it strand me in the middle of nowhere.
Great video, I’ll also add the stock version of 3.6L are prone to dry starts due to the configuration of the oil filter assembly. I assume y’all’s adapter assists with that known issue, I installed a baxter performance adapter which specifically addresses the dry starting issue.
Brad I would love if you would do a round table discussion with other prominent Jeep enthusiasts to discuss Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares’ plans on slashing costs. The brand is already suffering from QC issues, he refuses to purchase EPA credits. His business model at other corps has always been a race to cheap low quality. I’m a Land Cruiser guy but I hate to see Jeep and Ram slowly tortured to death.
Great video as usual Brad. This mentioned in the video, but i have some dust and dirt in my under the hood. I see you do too. Should we ever wash it or just use some air to dust it off? Thanks in advance.
Need your help please. Just found your videos as I was researching a JEEP for a future purchase. When I research them I am finding so many people having issues with a few things. For example, what about the dry start up issue because of the oil filter being empty when you first start the engine? Is the $400.00 accessory needed to be purchased and installed that has the special valve ? Also since you are in there, what about the plastic oil cooler that people are havening cracked due to heat? Then some talk of electrical issues and some say they have a generator and others say no they have an alternator? Too, the Corning Gorilla glass people are cracking them too. The rear final driver sensor people say they need to replace it? So I really thought I would like a new Jeep and do not want to buy one every year as some people do because they are afraid to put too many mikes on them and worry if the engine can even last 100,000 miles or so? Or am I being swayed by some people that have just had bad luck? Hope you understand my concern and offer some good advice. I am into motorcycles too and so far this JEEP is reminding me of some of the KTM models that there are so many issues you need to know and correct before you go any where with one. Thank You Sir!!
Sorry to ask an odd question, but I’m looking to buy my first JK and wanted to ask if you would consider a 2009 Sahara Unlimited with 200k miles and automatic transmission. It has aftermarket Dick Cepek wheels and new Yokohama Geolander A/T tires and a 2” spring lift with Fox shocks. It has Rough Country aftermarket bumpers. They are asking a price of $10,000.
The Dorman unit isn't any better than the Mopar one at all. The material used for the oil cooler isn't the issue, it's the overall design and the seals eating it that makes it leak.
0:57 'specific things" meaning anything and everything, at any time, mileage and build level... his shop (jeep intensive care/hospice unit) showed us that jeeps are the most robustly fickle quality trucks for no reason... even look at a wrangler/gladiator wrong and its dead
Step 1: Don’t over tighten your oil filter cap when changing oil. If you take it someplace…. Like most people do it’s only a matter of WHEN not IF it will fail Step 2: Delete that aux battery. You can isolate it taking it out of circuit. Will give your main battery more life even if you use the start/stop function at red lights
Caravan engine? It's in virtually everything they build, including Ram trucks, Promasters, Chargers, Grand Cherokees, etc., and very few engines ever need replacing. Almost all engines have too much plastic anymore, just like the rest of the vehicle... I work at a dealer, and we probably replace three a year, and considering the millions of them out there, that's not bad!
Perhaps it would be worth bringing a small wire repair kit? Extra wires and connectors to fix breaks It’s rare but the porcupines in Alaska and Canada like to eat wires. The Mortells had their truck nearly disabled in Canada a few years ago from one of those things
No any soldering should be allowed in car. Crimped connections are more flexible, heat-resistant and vibration-resistant than soldered ones, especially in tough conditions like off road.
You don't want flexible connections that allow water to enter like crimped wires. You're asking for open circuits and resistance caused by corrosion. Soldering is what most manufacturers do to repair wiring.
Don't buy it. I've seen them leak and even had one that wasn't machined correctly for the oil pressure sensor to get a reading of the oil pressure lol. Go oem.
Exactly! 245K miles on my 4Runner, mostly highway and overlanding as a pro photographer. Thankfully, nothing has gone wrong, and no rattles or squeaks. Only regular maintenance, and TLC❤️
The writings of a noob who's idea of offroad is going to his moms cabin by the lake. Toyotas break as well and usually under far less extreme circumstances.
So you buy a new very capable off-road vehicle from Jeep and pay tons of money but you have to send the driveline if a u-joint fails. Anybody that buys an off-road capable vehicle from Jeep requires a really deep pocket. Poor oil cooler design. Jeep should pay for the repair if it fails. Looks like Jeep is Matt's Off-road Recovery friendly vehicle🤣🤣🤣.
So, one buys a new jeep and then has to spend a fortune on aftermarket parts to make it reliable and serviceable for the owner, not to mention the fact that you cannot access the codes unless you are qualified by Chrysler. I think I'll pass on this new junk, and junk is what it is!
Jerry, Micheal and the Shift Autowerks crew just did a 60,000 mile service on my JL. I WILL NOT go anywhere else for either of our Jeeps. We live 30+ miles away and when you find a good, honest repair shop, you go the extra mile. Thanks, guys, for taking care of us and thanks Brad for introducing us to Jerry and Shift Autowerks. 😉✌
3:28 the oil cooler doesnt fail from revving the engine or hard use. Its from how people remove the oil filter cap. They will slightly push and bend the entire housing when unscrewing the filter cap and will cause a lower crack or allow a seal to leak.
5:01 The aluminum housing will leak from its lower seals. Ive even seen one where it wasnt machined correctly and didnt allow the oil pressure sensor to read oil pressure. They didnt drill the hole all the way through to get a reading lol
6:07 the fuse array is not common to fail unless you Jumpstart with the leads backwards or you don't disconnect the main and auxiliary correctly at the negative terminal. You don't need to carry an extra one lol.
13:32 the nut doesn't become loose all the time because it has a cotter pin in. Some have been found not to be torqued to spec from the factory. There's a TSB on it.
Got to sell them replacement parts and services even if not needed.
Brad, at 9:30 you discuss carrying a spare serpentine belt on the trail. The best way to do this? When you put in a new belt, roll up the old belt and stuff it under your seat. Instant spare! It’s free, it will get you back to civilization, and you know it’s the right size.
This could be the most useful video I’ve seen on RUclips in a while. I wish there was one of these videos made for every make/model vehicle out there so you know what you’re getting into when buying. This shouldn’t discourage someone from buying a vehicle, all vehicles have issues. I would just love to know what the common ones are so I don’t feel so lost when sometime comes up.
This video is pure gold. Thank you Brad! There are all kinds of opinions on the internet but it is so incredibly valuable to hear advice like this from someone who has so much experience in these vehicles. In my book this goes right up there with your wrangler aftermarket suspension comparison
Which video is the suspension comparison?
Cant' seem to find it.
Just got an education, well done.
I have heard that if the small aux battery dies, you cannot jumpstart the truck. Would be interesting to hear Jerry’s thought on the aux battery
Great and very useful video. Jerry’s knowledge is awesome, he’s pure gold. Many thanks for sharing Brad.
Hi Brad, very nice video. Thank you so much for all you do!
This is great information for us newbies that have the gladiators and have been driving now for two and a half years now. 😬we need to check all these parts now.
Thx, guys . Not a jeep guy , did not know had an oil cooler in that (easy to get to ) spot.
We drove from Oakland, CA to Coldfoot, AK and back, in our 2008 Jeep Liberty (3.7L engine, manual transmission) and our only real issue was a tiny leak in the heater core at the trip's halfway point, which a small shot of Bars Leaks fixed for thousands of miles more. The heater core was replaced over 6 months later. We crossed the 100,000 mile mark on that trip.
really really useful video... although, i feel like one obvious thing that wasn't mentioned that absolutely everyone should check before going on a trip ... the spare tire!!!! check that it has air in it, that it holds air.
Awesome video as always Brad. This was a very informative and helpful video on what to look for on Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators.
Great video. I hate I missed the second day of the show with the show and shine event. Thanks for showing some of the cool rigs there. Hopefully I can catch it in person next year.
All great items. We lost a front track bar bolt while running the TAT a few years ago on a WJ. Check those bolts/nuts every few days of off roading.
Most important video you have ever made.
Love these videos. Note: While I appreciate the solder job. Solder isn't always better than a proper butt connector, especially under the hood. The heat cycles on the solder connection can cause it to break down and come undone over time. A quality heat shrink butt connector w/grease can be a better option.
My stock 2013 oil cooler went out at 120k when we were having -5 degree days. The extreme temperature swing cracked the plastic and I also replaced it with the aluminum housing.
Very informative! I was unaware that Jeeps had so many built in defects: Oil Cooler etc…
What a great run down. Thank you both.
Great video. Thank you as always Brad for sharing this.
As i watch this i have serious doubts about the long term usage of this engine in an off roaster. Perhaps I'm over reacting. I had one in my T&C that didn't fail me. I took great care of it. 160k miles.
Thank you so very much this is exactly the info you need to know before going bush that other brands n most vehicle types info just isn't available for and that's a disaster waiting to happen as you either pack too many tools or wrong ones altogether same with parts n problem areas to look for brilliant idea just brilliant
Great video from a master mechanic specific to jeeps. Do more videos like this from experts, like safe recovery techniques ect.
Brad
This video really deflates my desires to buy a jeep. With so many jeep issues that Jerry points out like failure points, weak points and will eventually fail or known problem part in the jeep to a 392 that needs an aftermarket transfer??? What is jeep doing? Cheap plastic parts to seals that can’t last 50k miles. Why buy a Jeep then???
Thanks! Great job from shift!
Good information Jerry thanks for sharing!!! cheers
This video is great. I'm going to do this inspection before my Baja trip this year. 🤘
One thing I noticed that was not mentioned while doing the under vehicle inspection was mention on your axle & transfer case vents . If you’re planning a trip where you may be doing water crossings deep enough to go past halfway up your tire height , then definitely make sure your vents are obviously higher than the water level will get , any lubricant that gets contaminated by water entry will cause serious damage in short order , and at minimum carry extra gear oil to possibly change yours out in a pinch if there’s ANY DOUBT about conditions that may have encountered while off the beaten path . Good video otherwise, and curious to see how your rig fared at the end after your epic journey is over Brad . Stay safe buddy . 😎👍
The red pointer had me lol the whole video 😂
This video really confirms my lack of faith in Jeep products. I keep wondering what will be the next thing that fails and will it strand me in the middle of nowhere.
Great video, I’ll also add the stock version of 3.6L are prone to dry starts due to the configuration of the oil filter assembly. I assume y’all’s adapter assists with that known issue, I installed a baxter performance adapter which specifically addresses the dry starting issue.
One of your best videos ever, thanks.
A great video Brad and Jerry’s knowledge was awesome thanks !!
Loving these videos! Trying to develop
tech skills. Thanks Brad!
Well Done Brad & Jerry. 👍👍
Ok, THAT was a great video Brad! Good info for road trips!!! 👍
Thank you! Very Helpful.
love these vids, thanks Jerry! Gonna download this one for offline use in the bush :D
It would be awesome to do one of these style videos for the 392 specifically if you ever get a chance : )
Don't forget the pcv valve. Having to replace mine at 51k
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks. Great video
Brad I would love if you would do a round table discussion with other prominent Jeep enthusiasts to discuss Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares’ plans on slashing costs. The brand is already suffering from QC issues, he refuses to purchase EPA credits. His business model at other corps has always been a race to cheap low quality. I’m a Land Cruiser guy but I hate to see Jeep and Ram slowly tortured to death.
Thanks Brad
It would be great to have a basic, intermediate, advanced tool kit list/video.
Welp those footsteps at the 16 minute mark made me think someone was behind me when I thought I was alone. hahahaha
My Wrangler only 2 yrs old
1. Death wobble on a stock vehicle at 7,000 miles
2. Start /Stop battery died at 20,800 miles
Death wobble caused by what? I lost my wheel weights and got it, not a big deal tbh, even at 7k miles.
Have it inspected first, oem stabilizers ara complete garbage, install a Fox ats and you’ll be good to go
My gladiator oil cooler, auxiliary battery AND Z fuse all failed the same week.
I watch these videos to know what’s next 🤣
How many miles?
Great advice
great advice, thanks for the info
Wish y’all woulda commented on if certain components/concerns are related to the 3.0 diesel Jeep
Thanks, awesome useful video.
Good information.
Great video as usual Brad. This mentioned in the video, but i have some dust and dirt in my under the hood. I see you do too. Should we ever wash it or just use some air to dust it off? Thanks in advance.
Great video!
Oil coolers generally after 50,000 but more likely 80,000 to 100,000.
all great points!
What about.....a "clunk"......from Park into Reverse......cold or warm start, warm up heightened rpm or
Does this shop work on Ecodiesels?
Brad I NEED you to do this again with a Wrangler 392 I need to know the weak links asap please !🙏
Im not Kreskin, bit I think you'll make it.
Lol
Step 1, park jeep in garage. Step 2, hop in your toyota and enjoy your vacation. All joking aside this is a great video
This is also great info for a Ram Pomaster.
Live in midwest or else I'd give you guys my business, good place!
Hi!
First of all, thank you for useful videos!
Could you, please, recommend any brand of whole aluminium oil cooler for 3.6?
Need your help please. Just found your videos as I was researching a JEEP for a future purchase. When I research them I am finding so many people having issues with a few things. For example, what about the dry start up issue because of the oil filter being empty when you first start the engine? Is the $400.00 accessory needed to be purchased and installed that has the special valve ? Also since you are in there, what about the plastic oil cooler that people are havening cracked due to heat? Then some talk of electrical issues and some say they have a generator and others say no they have an alternator? Too, the Corning Gorilla glass people are cracking them too. The rear final driver sensor people say they need to replace it? So I really thought I would like a new Jeep and do not want to buy one every year as some people do because they are afraid to put too many mikes on them and worry if the engine can even last 100,000 miles or so? Or am I being swayed by some people that have just had bad luck? Hope you understand my concern and offer some good advice. I am into motorcycles too and so far this JEEP is reminding me of some of the KTM models that there are so many issues you need to know and correct before you go any where with one. Thank You Sir!!
Does Michigan have shop comparable to this one?
We already know you made it😅
Well, now I don't have to watch that Sitrep.
Great video. Gives you things to look at on non jeeps.
What brand is that oil cooler is that??
What brand oil filter housing is recommended ?
Can the start/stop function doore damage to the oil cooler or not related?
Sorry to ask an odd question, but I’m looking to buy my first JK and wanted to ask if you would consider a 2009 Sahara Unlimited with 200k miles and automatic transmission. It has aftermarket Dick Cepek wheels and new Yokohama Geolander A/T tires and a 2” spring lift with Fox shocks. It has Rough Country aftermarket bumpers. They are asking a price of $10,000.
Such an expensive vehicle, and cheap parts.. BUT, I love mine! Lol😅
The Dorman unit isn't any better than the Mopar one at all. The material used for the oil cooler isn't the issue, it's the overall design and the seals eating it that makes it leak.
U got a shop near Denver?
Don't forget about the transmission and fluid level, just something he forgot to mention that's pretty important.
every 30 seconds: "its very common these break at..."
0:57 'specific things" meaning anything and everything, at any time, mileage and build level... his shop (jeep intensive care/hospice unit) showed us that jeeps are the most robustly fickle quality trucks for no reason... even look at a wrangler/gladiator wrong and its dead
Fail like the OEM. Good words lol
Step 1: Don’t over tighten your oil filter cap when changing oil. If you take it someplace…. Like most people do it’s only a matter of WHEN not IF it will fail
Step 2: Delete that aux battery. You can isolate it taking it out of circuit. Will give your main battery more life even if you use the start/stop function at red lights
Jeep needs to ditch the Caravan engine and engineer something else. Too complex, too much plastic and a packaging disaster.
Caravan engine? It's in virtually everything they build, including Ram trucks, Promasters, Chargers, Grand Cherokees, etc., and very few engines ever need replacing. Almost all engines have too much plastic anymore, just like the rest of the vehicle... I work at a dealer, and we probably replace three a year, and considering the millions of them out there, that's not bad!
Why would you test the fuse array if it is obvious when it fails? Won't testing it only tell you the obvious?
Perhaps it would be worth bringing a small wire repair kit? Extra wires and connectors to fix breaks
It’s rare but the porcupines in Alaska and Canada like to eat wires. The Mortells had their truck nearly disabled in Canada a few years ago from one of those things
Crazy to me that the start of the video has so many, this part fails all the time, comments. Are jeeps really built that bad and cheaply?
Is Jerry related to Marco ?
No not related. Just really good friends.
Sad part is that Stellantis has not moved to address known issues on their engines... Sad & poor way to do business.
Dang boi, all these
No any soldering should be allowed in car. Crimped connections are more flexible, heat-resistant and vibration-resistant than soldered ones, especially in tough conditions like off road.
You don't want flexible connections that allow water to enter like crimped wires. You're asking for open circuits and resistance caused by corrosion. Soldering is what most manufacturers do to repair wiring.
Is that a Dorman!?
Yes ,Dorman aluminum.
Don't buy it. I've seen them leak and even had one that wasn't machined correctly for the oil pressure sensor to get a reading of the oil pressure lol. Go oem.
"should i buy a jeep?"
No
"why"
Let me show you a video...
Just buy a Toyota.
We have a podcast episode coming up about Toyota “reliability” 🤣
Exactly! 245K miles on my 4Runner, mostly highway and overlanding as a pro photographer. Thankfully, nothing has gone wrong, and no rattles or squeaks. Only regular maintenance, and TLC❤️
Do you read something? Then you know the massive quality problems of the toyota brand all over the World. For example the recall campaign in the usa.
@UlrichGoetz there is a big difference between a manufacturer issue recall and the NHTSA telling a manufacturer they have to do one lol
The writings of a noob who's idea of offroad is going to his moms cabin by the lake. Toyotas break as well and usually under far less extreme circumstances.
In short don’t buy a Jeep, got it!😂
So you buy a new very capable off-road vehicle from Jeep and pay tons of money but you have to send the driveline if a u-joint fails. Anybody that buys an off-road capable vehicle from Jeep requires a really deep pocket. Poor oil cooler design. Jeep should pay for the repair if it fails. Looks like Jeep is Matt's Off-road Recovery friendly vehicle🤣🤣🤣.
So, one buys a new jeep and then has to spend a fortune on aftermarket parts to make it reliable and serviceable for the owner, not to mention the fact that you cannot access the codes unless you are qualified by Chrysler. I think I'll pass on this new junk, and junk is what it is!