4.0 Engine: Rebuild & Remanufactured

M

mikehkk

Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2018
Messages
31
Location
Alameda, CA
Hello,

I have a Jeep Wrangler 1999 w/4.0 Engine and AX15 Transmission. The chassis has almost 500K miles on it now. In the time I've had the car, there have been three engines in it. The original OEM powerplant lasted until 392K miles. I've had some very stubborn problems since then. The two engines after the first one have been very poor-quality Jasper rebuilds. In fact, I think the current engine is starting to unravel on the insides now (noises, a continuous, declining fuel economy over the last three years, and other symptoms).

My problem though is that I can't locate a quality mechanic locally to diagnose engine problems. Nor can I find a quality engine rebuilder. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I've pretty much exhausted all the shop possibilities located here.

I'm willing to consider shops/builders outside of the Bay Area now (even out of state if that what it takes). Could you all give me some ideas in that direction? Would really appreciate any and all advice.

Thanks very much.
 
Jack_Stefan said:
My ATK ticked after install and now I’m in warranty claims. I’d say try sj or some other brand
Click to expand...

Right. ATK is really no better than Jasper; lots and lots of bad reviews. I noticed S & J has its own share "one stars" associated with it as well. What a crap-shoot though!
 
Might be better off buying a used engine.

I'm 30/30/30 on the fence that when it's my time I buy a rebuilt engine vs doing my own overhaul vs doing a 5.3 LS swap.

S and J is reasonably close enough to me that I can drive up and talk to them in person.

-Mac
 
mikehkk said:
Right. ATK is really no better than Jasper; lots and lots of bad reviews. I noticed S & J has its own share "one stars" associated with it as well. What a crap-shoot though!
Click to expand...

Sounds like their QC has gone downhill. I put in a ATK back in 2010 and have over 65,000 miles on it without any issues. I did replace the timing chain and sprockets when I first put it in as I didn't like the simple roller chain they used. I put in a Cloyes set.
 
Andy-WhiteTJ said:
Sounds like their QC has gone downhill. I put in a ATK back in 2010 and have over 65,000 miles on it without any issues. I did replace the timing chain and sprockets when I first put it in as I didn't like the simple roller chain they used. I put in a Cloyes set.
Click to expand...

Interestingly, the timing chain set was one of the issues I had with this current Jasper engine. After they installed it, the thing had this real loud "whining" sound, that just got louder with revving. Turns out it was a mismatched pair of sprockets (cheap-o parts that they threw in with the build). After I had my mechanic install a new Cloyes set (like you), the whining went away. But after about 30K miles, the whining has returned!
 
This was the original set they used:
Old Timing Chain.jpeg


Here is the one I used instead:

New Timing Chain.jpeg


I replaced them before I even installed the rest of the accessories. I didn't trust a simple roller chain.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: lBasket
ATK i smanaged by LKQ junkyard. Had i known i wouldve gone a different route.
You can buy a reman from Chrysler but its almost 70% more.

Jeeppartsdepot also rebuilds engines and they only specialize in jeeps. But thier warranty is like less than a year.
 
Jack_Stefan said:
ATK i smanaged by LKQ junkyard. Had i known i wouldve gone a different route.
You can buy a reman from Chrysler but its almost 70% more.

Jeeppartsdepot also rebuilds engines and they only specialize in jeeps. But thier warranty is like less than a year.
Click to expand...

Can you really buy a reman 4.0 from Chrysler? That's a little hard to believe. Do you have a link for that? Really appreciate it if you do. Thanks.
 
I'm about 60K miles in on an ATK engine and it's running fine (2.5L not a 4.0) - Knock on wood. I think if/when it comes time for another overhaul I'll probably just do a V8 Swap. Considerably more expensive, but considerably more fun too....
 
  • Like
Reactions: macleanflood
Top Bottom
Back