The Jeep Wrangler has four engine options to choose from, though the 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine is the standard engine on most of their models. The other choices are the 2.0-liter turbo, 3.6-liter eTorque, and the 3.0-liter turbo diesel.
What are the specs of the Jeep Wrangler engine?
The 3.6-liter Pentastar engine is a 24-valve engine with variable valve timing, which allows for better fuel economy. The Pentastar engine also has engine stop start (ESS), which means that the engine shuts off when you come to a full stop. It starts back up once you press on the gas. You can press a button to turn this feature off.
Basics
The Pentastar engine makes 290 to 305 horsepower and about 270 lb.-ft. of torque, depending on the application. Rear-wheel drive vehicles are 290 horses, all-wheel drives are 292 horses, front-wheel drives are 283 horses, and when you drop this engine in the Challenger, it makes 305 horses.
The engine does have an open deck, which means that you do not have as much support for the upper part of the cylinders. The old aluminum slant six engines also had an open deck design. Additional features include:
- Variable cam timing
- Timing chain
- Lightweight block (high-pressure die-cast block)
- Runs on regular gas (87 octane)
- Canister-free oil filter element
Top-End and Timing
The Pentastar engine uses four timing chains. One drives the oil pump and the other three drive the camshafts. Only the chain that drives the oil pump uses a spring-loaded tensioner. The other uses oil pressure controlled tensioners or a ratchet tensioner.
The T7 heat-treated aluminum heads feature powdered metal guides, roller rockers, hydraulic lifters and sealed spark plug tubes. The dual overhead camshafts have roller finger followers.
A multi-port fuel injection system sprays fuel into a composite intake manifold. The throttle bore diameter is 74 mm.
The Bottom End
The high-pressure die cast aluminum block features an open deck and cast steel cylinder liners. The four main bearings are powdered and cross-bolted with six bolts. The #2 main bearing has a two-piece upper half thrust bearing.
Engine accessories are bolted directly to the block, which helps with vibration. The oil filter is on top of the engine and uses an element instead of a spin-on filter.
The vane-type oil pump is chain driven and uses the engine management system to determine flow rate and pressure. A solenoid sets the pump for high or low pressure, depending on rpm. The oil pump is mounted below the block instead of running off the crankshaft. It has features to manage cold starts.
The bore and stroke are 96 mm and 83 mm, respectively. The pistons are cast aluminum and feature low-friction rings and shorter skirts. The connecting rods are forged steel. The compression ratio, as of Oct. 2010, is 10.2:1 regardless of application.
Finally, the Pentastar engine uses a nodular iron crank supported by six-bolt mains.
History of the Jeep Wrangler Engine
Chrysler engineers developed the Pentastar family of engines for Ram, Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler vehicles. They also developed a re-engineered version for the Maserati. The 3.6-liter engine found in many of the Jeep Wrangler models has the same 0-60 times as the previous Hemi at 6.6 seconds.
The 3.6-liter version of the Pentastar was first manufactured in 2010. The engines are built in the Trenton Complex, the Mack Avenue Engine Complex in Detroit, and the Saltillo South Engine Plant in Mexico.
People Also Ask These Questions Related to the Jeep Wrangler Engine
Is the 3.6-liter Pentastar a good engine?
The Pentastar engines have been around since 2011, so all of the bugs have been worked out of the design. It is considered one of the most reliable engines on the market.
How much horsepower can a 3.6 Pentastar handle?
The 3.6-liter Pentastar is rated for 305 horses and 270 lb.-ft. of torque.
How long with a 3.6-liter Pentastar engine last?
The engine will last as long as any other engine as long as you keep up with the maintenance. Many have driven over 200,000 miles on a Pentastar before having to rebuild it.
How much oil does a 3.6-liter Pentastar take?
The 3.6-liter Pentastar engine uses six quarts of SAE 5W-20 oil when you change the filter.
Why is the Pentastar engine good?
When the engine first came out in 2011, it had some issues in the Wrangler. Since then, the engineers have worked on it to make it a solid, reliable engine.
