Dodge Caravan 3.6L Pentastar V6 Teardown! Why Won't This Engine Turn All The Way Over?

[@mayna2083]

Just want to say "i dont think force is the answer but it may be the solution" is one of the best lines ever

[@nuclearchadwick]

need to have t-shirts made with that

[@rustymotor]

Maybe the engine was driven for short trips and never had a chance to reach operating temperature, carbon would build up and maybe also clogged the oil control rings causing extra oil burning in the cylinders adding more carbon. Possibly a good Italian tune up on a long highway would have helped to clear up the carbon deposits.

[@TheMajorLeagueGinger]

The ole Italian tune up 🤣 My little car practically does nothing but highway driving

[@schlite60]

possible very poor gas and long idle times

[@dougrobinson8602]

@@schlite60 My thoughts exactly. The owner at least seemed to stay on top of oil changes.

[@truckinNloving]

@@schlite60 old people do drive slowly and sit in their cars so that could be the culprit.

[@jeremymcauliff8485]

I'm betting elderly owner who drove very little. Likely driven around town, never took any trips and everything was low speed. The internals were extremely clean which suggests low miles and the owner kept up on the oil changes.

[@Chippy569]

As a subaru tech, I really want to watch you take apart an EZ30. Especially if you can find a nice crusty midwest/northeast one. Bonus points if you can get it done in warranty time.

[@82_KID]

Heh. Could had my EJ251... are you in NJ? Had two of same car, the other an 02 Bean with EZ30D. God that engine was sweet. Now put it in a light car....

[@82_KID]

If you come Monday it MIGHT Still be there pay my mechanic more than what they'd get for scrap or core ? However that does.. ????

[@Alex_Bket]

🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@timbrown9731]

Agreed however I’d like to see an EZ36

[@timbrown9731]

Also you’re just harassing him with the 50 million front bolt covers on the timing chain cover

[@brianrinehart4231]

Thank you for the 3.6 Pentastar tear down. I have a 2015 Charger and 2021 Charger, both with this motor. The 2015 was purchased new and has 264,000 miles and climbing. No issues as of yet.

[@CrazyLegsFE]

Been waiting for this one judging by the sheer number of these with high mileage still on the road they can't be too bad. Thanks for tearing one down for us!

[@whatchalookin429]

Made the ward's top 10 engine list multiple times

[@Danat-Monat]

Carbon build up from oil vapor from pvc. Needed an oil catch can. Luv ur videos

[@Theultrazombiekiller]

The 3.6 pentastar is a tried and true engine. Yes the first couple year models had some issues, but since they were fixed, these things will go 250k+ with good maintenance. I drive a 2016 Wrangler with 120K miles and my wife has a 2015 Grand Cherokee with 92k, both have been super reliable.

[@queensapphire7717]

My 2016 Wrangler, the rear main seal & Oil Cooler went at 50k miles, and I change the oil every 4K with Pennzoil Ultra Synthetic 5w20 and use Mopar filters. Never over tighten the filter cap.

[@SuperShori]

my 2016 Dodge Challenger V6 Pentastar has 93K mileage and no issues.

[@Electricmarquis]

@@SuperShori 2014 Durango 3.6. Timing cover leak. Just enough to soak the cover in about a 4" circle. Have not done any thing about it. Not a huge leak.

[@tomc8157]

My 5.2 Magnum which has a little less HP but more torque lasts me 300k no problem. Cost me all of 3 grand to rebuild and super easy and will last another 300k. I don't get why they use this thing. The 5.2 Gets same mpg as my 3.6 Wrangler which is 20ish.

[@bebeslife4519]

No hate, but update us when you get your 3.6 to 250,000 miles.

[@je1279]

Love the tote shield for timing chain tensioner removal but you should do yourself a favor and buy a clear one for that.

[@dodgefree1400]

That’s the centrifugal oil air separator driven off the back of the exhaust cam. The Teflon seal goes bad and oil consumption skyrockets to more than a quart in 400. I’ll guess the carbon source. Just had one repaired and now zero oil burn. There’s a service bulletin.

[@mphilleo]

Yep, just mentioned this to another commenter. These are a pain to change, at least in the longitudinal application. I did mine and have no oil burning.

[@dodgefree1400]

@@mphilleo yep. Four door Jeep so back of passenger cylinder head. You can’t even see it. Dealer reluctantly did it for about $400. Factory recommends replacement every 100k. This was a neighbor I was advising after a shop told them the engine was shot at 105k. He was very thankful. They seem to be good motors overall.

[@ericschofield3244]

The PCV? At least on the vans and other fwd vehicles it's easy to access. I change mine about every 6 months "just in case".

[@PeeterPuncher]

garbage, more high quality chrysler built products.

[@mails5054]

@@dodgefree1400 I did it myself, its super easy, just get one of those mini bit "holder" wrenches. Fits back there no problem is you loosen the dipstick bolt under the car.

[@joevaagen6170]

I've got a '12 dodge grand caravan with 104k miles and at just about 100k I dropped a valve seat on the head under the cowl but dodge wouldn't warranty it due to time nott mileage. I drive this vehicle like I stole it but do keep up on the maintenance but once had forgot due to my wife's stroke then ultimate passing and went 3 1/2 quarts low on oil. I've put up graded coils and the Banks petal monster on it and ITS FREAKING AWESOME.

[@anthonybertone2336]

See this is why we love you so much you do what we ask and we really appreciate it, Hands-down this is the best teardown channel there is and the only one I watch

[@alphasheepdog9683]

Saturday late afternoon PDT, with a beer watching the tear down. Love this routine and love your videos, thank you for doing this for so many of us who have incorporated you into our weekends.

[@MattyEngland]

Sunday early morning here, 4.20am. Lol

[@johanisthestig]

Its like your the love child of Ryan reynolds and Adam Sandler. Great videos dude! A vr6 or any w engine would be pretty cool. Also congrats on the 2nd kid. I can tell you're a hell of a dad because you did videos ahead of time so you can focus on your family.

[@je1279]

My wife's is currently getting the rockers and camshafts replaced. 2018 Wrangler JL Unlimited with less than 100k miles and routinely dealership maintained. Seems like a semi-common problem on these engines.

[@centurybug]

I really look forward to these every Saturday, and I almost always get inspired to work on my own car! I've made a ton of progress in the past couple months. If you ever have the chance, I'd love to see some old Volvo stuff. The redblock i4 and the whiteblock i5 would be super cool to see inside!

[@davidandrew1078]

It is Sunday morning in Australia. My Church Service.

[@harrywalker5836]

hey.

[@diablocls55]

Problem is those old Volvo engines never die. My 850 still purred fine when I unfortunately had to take it to the junkyard

[@centurybug]

@@diablocls55 I love 850s! My first car was an S70. The redblock I'm told is even more reliable - also had a friend whose engine outlived his chassis lol

[@timesup6302]

I would love to see a 2.5t teardown. Those engines are rock solid

[@Later2u]

Thanks for showing me how well build my Pentastar 3.6 is built.

[@magneticpulseengine3605]

these engines were the builders dream back in the 60's and 70's and only the top fuel engines had this kind of engineering built into them but no v6's only 8's, this would have been considered exotic back then, the guys over at dodge used everything they learned on these from moving the oil pump from a tubes distance away from the sump to right on top so those dry starts are almost done away with, crossbolted mains, dual over head cams, roller lifters, forged rods and cranks, the details go on and on, it's a marvet to behold and most of you younger gearheads won't be able to appreciate all this but I sure do. kuddos to you for keeping it interesting and educational and like others have commented on you skip the b.s. and anoying emusic, thanks for this

[@dannysdailys]

My supercharged Charger has 20k on it and no problems so far. I did add two catch cans. And you forgot, they also have two stage oil pumps. They pump up to 100 lbs when the engine is cold.

[@Troy-McClure81]

I had a 2016 T&C with that 3.6 piece of crap,traded in by 80k miles..8 rockers ,4 valves,coolant system replaced, cam phasers were clicking ever so slightly that I prayed the mechanics wouldn't care or hear it when I traded it in..strong motor but they went cheap on those rockers..6 months after trade in got my money back for the last repair done because it was the number 2 again lol Never been so happy that the misses got the extended warranty

[@jfan4reva]

That's an amazing amount of carbon! Seeing as how it's from a Caravan, maybe it's 'Soccer Mom' driving (school, dance class, t-ball practice, groceries, dry cleaners, pizza takeout, etc.) Of course a 'low mileage' van is at least 100k....

[@michaelhofer9149]

Every time I watch you tear down these late model engines it makes me glad I walked out of the shop after 10 years in 1986!

[@MegaMarclar]

I saw this a few times back in my dealer days. sometimes people put a bit of diesel in the fuel tank, causes it to carbon up like that. the original engine probably locked up, and they replaced it with this one but didnt clean out the fuel tank.

[@deliciousgixxer3670]

my caravan with this 3.6 has 340k miles. it has had new camshafts put in, a water pump and a battery. thats literally it, its a great engine!

[@88jopar]

What year is your Caravan? That's incredible! 340k miles! Wow. I've heard so many stories of these pentastars with incredibly high mileage.

[@deliciousgixxer3670]

@@88jopar im now at 383k , mines a 2018 . Its power has for sure seen a decrease, but its still going

[@daveman591]

The white exhaust valve indicates that the exhaust valve seat was burnt causing a misfire. Common issue with the 2011-2014 model year pentastar classic left/front cylinder head. The amount of carbon build up indicates that the engine was run with the misfire on cylinder two for a while.

[@matthewmoneypit1558]

May I please ask what causes the misfire on cylinder 2?

[@Later2u]

@@matthewmoneypit1558 Spark plug, coil pack?

[@billsanders3604]

Love my 2018 3.6 in my Jeep grand Cherokee. I recently got 31.8 mpg! I have all wheel drive too. Drove 100 miles at 60 mph. Stuck in bumper to bumper traffic for 9 miles on way down. Took 45 minutes for 9 miles. I averaged 27.5. Was over 31 mpgs until this. Love your tear downs. Keep them coming. How about a 1.5 turbo Honda ? Thank you.

[@jeremyharshe2337]

Congratulations you did it! You “cracked the cam caps loose” been waiting on that one for a few videos now. Keep up the great work man! And I can’t get enough of the safety tote

[@TheCrimsonFoxx]

recently replaced the low flow lower intake manifold, the plastic oil cooler and spark plugs on my challenger, and she runs better than before. 3 pentastars in the family and they've been dead reliable. the aluminum dorman oil filter housing makes the earlier cars use a 2016^ cartridge oil filter with the 3 pronged gazebo on the top. also they love having the absolute fuck revved out of them, they aren't a low RPM motor, they crave speed.

[@sfbfriend]

That engine had to come apart. Unfortunate, yes but necessary. You said low miles, but how do you get that much carbon buildup on a low milage engine! Have never seen this on your channel, in fact I have never seen an engine with carbon lock! Truly unique. Nice work Erick, as always I enjoy your content.

[@marshall1157]

Thank you for helping a family through rainman rays with 1 of those engines.

[@wysetech2000]

I have been thinking about suggesting an easy way to remove those dipstick tubes but keep forgetting. (old age) I was a mechanic for over 50 years and I found that if you heat up around the base of the tube they come right out. Most have an O ring that swells and sticks. Even a propane torch is enough to soften them.

[@StephenSandquist-mn9vf]

I have a 2014 Caravan I bought used at 60,000 miles. It burned a little oil at start-up at first, but no longer at 120,000 miles. I run a little thicker oil in Summer, and a little thinner oil in MN winters. It got 31 MPG on a recent trip. It’s a great engine! Thanks for the great videos!

[@chrisg7551]

“Well, there’s lots of a….lots of junk in here. I’m not talking about the stuff Chrysler put here, I’m talking about other stuff.” Don’t ever change, Eric

[@markredf150]

💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀 one of his best lines ever haha

[@Bandit69ply]

My 3.6L Caravan has 233,000 kms/ 144, 779 miles. It has never given me any trouble, i did buy it used, so i can't speak to the history of the engine and if it had any previous repairs. I first checked KZbin when i bought it to see what problems to look for, but so far i haven't had the dreaded ticking issue from the number 6 cylinder lash adjuster, so I'm thankful for that. I've only done plugs on the engine itself and have used synthetic since i bought it with 168,000kms/104,390 miles on it 3 years ago. She moves considering its in a Caravan.

[@omerqawi9096]

It was fun watching this video as a Chrysler tech dealing with this shit all the time 😂😂 good work on the tear down! Just for future reference the short bolts don't need to come off of the water pump or thermostat they can stay on for timing cover removal but I understand that for tear down purposes you need to look at everything

[@sbond1963]

Dealing with what all the time? Engines locked with carbon buildup?

[@omerqawi9096]

@@sbond1963 no tear downs in general. The rocker arms fail a lot of them and take the cams out with them. Plus the oil pump tend to fail a lot too. Or the valves leak causing misfires mostly top end stuff. Bottom end is fairly solid on theses engines as look as they are maintained

[@mails5054]

@@omerqawi9096 Yeah thats what i like about them, most the problems a DIY like me can fix. I also have access to a lift at work

[@rogerpr364]

I'm so glad to have droped Chrysler "Fiat" product, my last was a 2012 Dodge Journey witch I've had so many problems that I kept it only two years,, I now own a 2016 Toyota RAV4 2.5L that turns out to be the best choice ever, still have this vehicule with 190,000 km and still runs and sound just like the first km out of the dealer!

[@Jakek200]

My mom has an early 3.6 (2011 Grand Cherokee) and fingers crossed it's been totally trouble free for the 160,000 miles its been in service (I think when she bought the car it had 40,000mi on it). Even the oil filter housing has been fine except the little check valve in the middle pinging off, one little plastic piece later and good as new.

[@RJARRRPCGP]

Reminds me that I loved riding in a 2011 Avenger with the Pentastar 3.6 option! I would take those over the booooring "World" N/A 2.4 I4 any day! Unfortunately, the Avenger that my sister had, which was also a 2011, had the "World" 2.4 I4 and by 2018, it started bucking on acceleration, more like I would expect from a GM Iron Duke N/A 2.5 I4 from 1983!

[@paulj9821]

About ******* TIME you took the legendary 3.6L PS Chrysler engine apart. Kudos...

[@houstoncowdog]

I owned a 2012 Wrangler for a couple of years and it’s the only non V8 vehicle I’ve ever owned, I thought this engine performed remarkably for what it was. Large displacement V6 engines usually do ok as long as you service them and don’t constantly push them around. MY Jeep had a 2 1/2” lift and 35’s and while is was probably a bit underpowered I just took it easy on throttle most of the time.

[@jamescole6846]

You know I keep hearing everyone say that but I have a 2013 with a 4 1/2 inch lift and 35's and it seems fast to me. I mean a lot of times I chirp or spin the BFG ko2's on take off from red lights and stop signs with out even meaning too and it will hit a 100 on the freeway with no effort. It is a 2D though. The engine is stock but I have about 10k worth of other upgrades like steering, control arms, big brake kit etc... but one mod I made that may be the difference was in on the JK's gas pedal up under the dash in the most hard to get to place there is, there is a double spring encased in a plastic housing that provides resistance against the gas pedal when trying to "give it the gas'. Mine was wearing my dam calf muscle out on long trips so I hit the Jeep form and there was a post on removing one of the springs. After I did that, I now have like a Cadillac gas pedal that is much easier. So maybe it's just perception ???

[@dannytreadway4561]

Thanks for the tear down. My Granddaughter put 269,000 on a 2016 Jeep Trailhawk and I was always was more afraid of the 9 speed Fiat Trans that they were having so many software problems with. She traded for a 2021 with 6,000 and now has 36,000 and I am gonna make sure I de carbon this one. I was an old school builder but appreciate this inside look. Had a Mazda Millenia my wife had a cracked oil sending unit 300 miles from home caused her to trash an overhead cam set on which I paid the dealer $5100 to put new heads on then the bottom end knocked. I wound up buying a actual 10,000 mile pullout for $2000 which I should have looked for before I spent the money on the new heads. Ran that car for 259,000 without another problem.

[@Frank-fz4tm]

Got a 3.7L in my Ford Transit work van. I’d love to see you tear one of these down, it seems like one heck of an engine and I’d love to see how it’s built. Mine personally idles for 2-3 hours a day then gets the living crap revved out of it trying to move a 10,000# van down the highway; 105+k miles it has never given me an issue, nor did the last one I had that had 150k on it before my company “retired” it. It’d also be cool to see the new 2.0L turbo that’s in the Jeep Wrangler JL

[@jackets64]

The 3.7s are very similar to the 3.5 Ecoboosts, check those out. Basically yours plus turbos and stronger internals

[@hdrenginedevelopment7507]

I ran a 3.7 transit for a few years. It sounds good, but that 2nd gear pull to highway speed, especially on an uphill on ramp is well into sandwich eating in one hand driving with the other territory, at least on the 6 speed transmission. The trick was to hit the upshift button in 1st at just the right time so the rev cut helps bounce the engine speed down to the 2nd gear engagement rpm quicker. That thing did 150k of that on a steady diet of the cheapest jiffy lube oil changes and never needed anything or consumed a drop of oil. It was also noticeably stronger in the midrange on E85, so I ran that whenever possible. The 3.5L turbo transit is orders of magnitude better, especially on grades, but they just don't sound as good and the 6000 rpm tach isn't as much fun, especially since the stock ecoboost power delivery is pretty much circling the drain past 5500. It is fun to troll other cars that don't expect a transit van to be able to make them look bad, lol.

[@Frank-fz4tm]

@@hdrenginedevelopment7507 agreed! For as much weight as I have in that van it does go surprisingly well and isn’t afraid to rev over 5k if the need arises. I’ll agree with the second gear thing, although I don’t remember that being an issue in the ‘16 I had.

[@hdrenginedevelopment7507]

@@Frank-fz4tm it wasn't an issue with 2nd gear, more like an issue with a V6 that makes 270 hp at 6500 rpm pushing an 8000+ lb vehicle on fairly long ratio gearing of the 6 speed transmission. The sooner you can get past 4500 or so rpm, the better everything goes on that setup.

[@jcollins311]

Blew mine that was in a 2012 wrangler. Pretty sure it was either the mystery oil in the gas or the flush i did a month before. End result was a see through block.

[@Alex-io5el]

I'd say that the excessive carbon was because the engine, being low mileage, never got driven long enough to warm up properly. It reminds me of Car Throttle and the 430,000 mile Hero they used to have years ago. Despite it having that many miles, they found very little carbon when they took apart the motor since the car's constant periods of run time had burned most of the carbon away.

[@ehsnils]

I think this is a likely cause - or a lot of idling. Some vehicles are idled a lot. 17:30 - that odd valve might be due to bad valve clearance, and that could be a potential culprit causing the system to get the wrong mixture. Not that likely, but a possibility.

[@greebj]

the amount of carbon in the intake before where the port injection is, on an engine that looks that clean on the top end, suggests rubbish implementation/failed EGR or PCV. but yeah the chambers shouldnt be that clogged unless its never been WOT Wtf that plastic cooler is for cooling EGR? whyyyyyyy

[@dannysdailys]

No, this is a known issue with the Pentastar. They cool the EGR gasses and send it right back into the engine instead of burning it up in the exhaust. This kills any venting and creates positive pressure in the crank case that soaks the intake manifolds with oil. That oil is the reason for the carbon build up on the piston tops and heads. These engines need catch cans to separate it. My Charger only had 9,000 miles on it and the intakes were soaked with oil. I was shocked. I added two catch cans and it cleaned it right up. I have them drained at every oil change.

[@okcmoparguy724]

​@bennyg That's an oil cooler, the Pentastar classic has in cylinder egr via the phasers. The cooler are prone to fail from quick lubes zipping off the filter cap with a ¼ impact.

[@rabbottracing]

Love the sarcastic comment about the oil cooler. That was the first part I had to change on my Town and Country shortly after I bought it with 97k miles.

[@stevenk6638]

the v 6 in my 2004 dodge caravan has been great ! regular oil/filter changes with Penzz 10 - 40 and it runs strong ! Best v 6 engine ever made !

[@jgranger2002]

Definitely not.

[@scottcooperii7217]

Your 2004 has a completely different engine than the pentastar displayed in this video. It utilizes cam in block, whereas the pentastar uses dual overhead cams. The displacement of the cylinders is different as well.

[@andrewdonohue1853]

NOPE, buick 3800 is pretty close to the best V6 made. it's a tough engine, and in supercharged form can make a ton of power if you build them right.

[@kelsycunningham8452]

Steven is quite correct about the old 3.3-3.8's being, arguably the best V6 ever made. Not overly powerful but you couldn't kill em if you wanted to.

[@dougrobinson8602]

@@andrewdonohue1853 The Buick 3.8 is the best V6 Detroit ever made, and it's not even close. If you don't run them out of oil, they will run forever. The highway mileage they can get in a full size sedan is amazing. I saw over 30mpg consistently. I gave it to a friend at 175K, and he ran it another 100K. It was still running when he took it to the junkyard.

[@oneeyedjack4727]

I bought a JDM low milage 2.2 engine for my Camry. I put it on the engine stand and it turned over freely. I turned the engine upside down to check the bottom end. After that I turned it back up and could no longer turn the engine completely over. Pulled the head and found a big chunk of carbon had settled in the squish area of the chamber. Cleaned, assembled and engine ran great.

[@lichking3711]

I see some of these go for ages and the head problem is a recall and will be warrantied afaik. One customer had a 2012 wrangler with an unsolvable miss. Checked comp, driver side was low in the center cylinder, and that was the one with casting defects. Otherwise it was good. They are also fairly resistant to neglect but being a quad ohc engine with vvt I would still be really mindful of oil changes. I see these at higher mileages as well and they have few problems but thermostats are a common problem and oil cooler problems are relatively common but not omnipresent. You can take apart most of the top end with 8, 10, and 12mm sockets and it's all you need to pull both intake halves.

[@julioblanco]

I own a 2012 Wrangler and the head was replaced under warranty early on. Other than that and a thermostat stuck open, it has been extremely reliable. I would trust it over the 2.7l on the Bronco I ordered in January to replace the Jeep. I change the oil with Pennzoil Platinum religiously every 3k miles.

[@JustasNarbutas]

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[@bobbarron6969]

I'm on my 3rd Pentastar engine in my work vans and to date I have no complaints about these motors. They've been reliable and relatively easy to maintain. I'm grateful for the look inside a good engine. It wouldn't surprise me to one day find a leaking oil cooler, from a failed plastic part, and now I know what that part looks like. BTW, there's an updated aluminum oil cooler available as an aftermarket part.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

it looks like something was up with the crank case ventilation. Looked like it was burning a lot of oil, and by the looks of it, the owner of the car knew about it, and was clearly keeping up on oil changes, hoping the poor running would fix itself.

[@mphilleo]

Yep. The PCV on these are a pig to change (at least in longitudinal applications). Ask me how I know... 😅 But they run great and burn no oil if you keep on top of 'em.

[@lawnmowerdude]

I don’t know about anyone else but I love seeing parts like cylinder heads go through your parts washer.

[@jackets64]

Yay a Pentastar! I find these super interesting because of some of the build decisions in them, can't wait to watch the whole video.

[@e.l.9589]

What type of decisions?

[@realdeathpony]

@@e.l.9589 To sit on the couch and watch naked or not.

[@Anarchy522XD]

@@e.l.9589 The plastic crossover pipe for the thermostat, the electric variable oil pump, the crossplane crank, the fact the breather has to be removed to remove valve covers, the entirely plastic oil filter housing assembly... I could go on. It's a very weird engine.

[@jackets64]

@@e.l.9589 Specifically what interested me most was the 6 bolt crank main caps. Seems like overkill for a motor that had at max like 350hp, maybe.

[@e.l.9589]

@@Anarchy522XD Thank you.

[@hokehinson5987]

As a younger person working in a municipal fleet maintenence shop, experienced a knock in a 1970ish chevy c 10 pickup with a straight 6 cyl. The boss was more of a clerk than mechcanic, retired armed service type. Told him it was carbon...and what needed to be done. He had other concerns directed to have head removed...whole lotta labor VS a ten minute procedure... it was even that way in the dealership..old style management...

[@corystansbury]

The Pentastar is a favorite is mine. They have an impressively low part count, are smooth as glass (at least for a big bore V-6), and run quite strongly.

[@kelsycunningham8452]

My '12 has been simply flawless. 220,000 K's and running as new. I've replaced the thermostat and alternator, one day I'll replace the factory plugs...

[@RJARRRPCGP]

@Bo Blu If the Pentastar runs rough at idle, you need to investigate: 1: Is the check engine light on? 2: Does it mostly shake at only idle? 3: Is there a pungent exhaust odor? If most of the mentioned symptoms, then it probably means bad valve train, which I heard that the valve train is part of the head, so head replacement is required. Unless you found the cause elsewhere. This is based on a 2014 Dodge Journey with the Pentastar 3.6 that was shaking at idle, and the check engine light was on.

[@frederickjeremy]

My wifes 2016 durango has this engine. It has been an economical workhorse. On paper you wouldnt think this engine would motivate that 5,000 pound durango out of its own way, let alone tow much of anything due to its anemic hp and torque numbers. But it has suprised the fool out of me. Has drug my 9n ford with bushhog and disc 2.5 hours one way to my inlaws more times than i can count. Pulls our 18’ pontoon boat, which isnt much weight, but has the aerodynamics of a barn. It even with all things considered, manhandled my dads new holland tc 35 with bushhog, loader, and water filled back tires up a pretty serious grade between my house and his. It gets really good mileage both pulling or no. 24/25 lite, 14 pulling the boat, 16 pulling my tractor. And somehow it does this without needing to scream just under the rev limiter. I generally back off of it if it goes over 3000rpm pulling a hill and let it bleed off a few mph just to pick it up on the other side. I have been dang impressed. 160,000 miles and counting. I initially grossly underestimated that vehicle.

[@AJ67901]

I bought a 2018 Challenger with about 18k miles that had been a Hertz car. It was really loaded with equipment and I liked the room inside. I had no experience with the Pentastar before buying that one, but I drove if for a year and 3 months before trading it for a 2019 Challenger R/T. I had a great experience with the Pentastar and respected it for the fuel mileage and it's eager attitude. I found it to perform very well and had no complaints about it. I wonder if this teardown engine was driven slowly around town and never taken out on the highway and opened up. Perhaps an elderly owner, who knows? Thanks for tearing one of these down! I look forward to your Saturday night episodes :)

[@dougrobinson8602]

Even on the highway, these things are barely ticking over. If it weren't for me driving my wife's minivan on occasion, I don't think it would ever see over 2500rpm. A few runs to redline under full load every now and then isn't a bad idea.

[@MrDrmorbid]

This reads like one of those fake amazon reviews

[@AJ67901]

@@MrDrmorbid I don't know why you'd say that. It was my experience with a 2018 Challenger with a Pentastar. If it offends you, don't read it.

[@philbrutsche8928]

It's a great engine when you treat it right. 30+ MPG on the highway all day long!

[@ericneeds1512]

They retooled these in 2016 a bit. I have the same in a Durango. At 65mph it's sleeping at 1600rpm in 8th.

[@johnathonready9347]

Ours went 200k with normal maintenance, blew up recently because of a water pump failure. Sad thats why it failed, but we are about to put another one in it😊 Loved that engine, its got plenty of power and torque for pretty much any job. We had the towing package too, so our Durango was no slouch. Its going to me after the engine swap, going to love it with all its glory.

[@christianguzman8228]

*Casually runs into every issue I have with these engines.* Trying to do this while it's in the vehicle is a nightmare. I would recommend to you to upgrade your hose lines and fittings. I was losing 300ft/lbs out of my impact gun. Makes a whole world of difference for removing truck tires. You lose a lot with long thin lines. Still would like to see a 2.0 LTG. Piston carnage likely if you need a video of it.

[@gregorylyon1004]

That oil looks great. That's the cleanest engine I've ever seen inside. That's definitely a Valvoline engine. That vehicle definitely had regular oil changes unlike most vehicles. Most people just skip the oil change so they can go shopping or buying lotto lickets

[@douglasmayherjr.5733]

The Safety Tote reminds me of Dark Helmet from Space Balls. Every time I see you use the Safety Gear, that’s what I think of. Looks like a decent little engine still. I wonder what would cause the carbon to buildup like that?? Thanks for the videos. Hopefully everything goes smooth with your wife and new baby.

[@richardwelsh8448]

The problem is the direct injection system, that is why there is so much carbon on the valves and pistons. Regular fuel injection sprays fuel on the valves to clean them . Rick

[@cohocarl]

@@richardwelsh8448 I could be mistaken, but I believe the 3.6 Pentastar is still port injected. My '15 V6 Camaro was D.I. and I put a catch can on it. I couldn't believe how much oil it accumulated.

[@ConanTheEmployer]

@@richardwelsh8448 If it were a direct injection problem, the carbon would build up on the valves at the head ports, but not inside the cylinders like this. Besides, these 3.6l engines are injected at the lower intake. Other commenters pointed out that this was probably Grandma's grocery getter/church ride and built up carbon from never being driven hard enough to clean the cylinders out.

[@ferrumignis]

His Schwartz is impressive.

[@lawdawg1942]

I am your father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former roommate

[@Ponyo3816]

Oh man. You literally pulled a part an engine. That I have a relative dealing with issues with. It's a CRACKED head! I was hoping to see this engine turndown and here we are.

[@paintballpro830]

I’m a mechanical engineer. It’s cool watching you take things apart. It would be cool to see you put one back together once and a while!!

[@63Imp283]

Like this one!

[@dougowens2686]

I don`t care what you tear down just keep doing it !! Thank you

[@mridaho7871]

That was probably the cleanest engine I’ve seen taken apart aside from a brand new one, except the carbon. Really odd that it built up so bad so quickly.

[@gregorylyon1004]

That's a Valvoline engine. It cleans that good

[@Jon-O.]

@@gregorylyon1004 no it's the constant addition of oil to keep the level up that kept it so clean. At this point any oil would do this. If you really want a oil that keeps a engine clean you run Amsoil the best oil out there, and the oil everyone tries to copy or imitate sorry guys but there formulations are patented and proprietary so no one can steal them because Amsoil is the best! Liquid gold!

[@billvose7360]

My supervisor at the lab I worked at had a 1987 Chevy Blazer that developed an engine knock at a low mileage. He was going to have another friend and I tear it down, but changed his mind and had me get him a new 350 from the local Chevy dealer. No core, his brother took the engine, pulled the heads and found a load of loose carbon in the cyllnders, cleaned them out and reassembled it. He uses them in his farm equipment.

[@jeffreygoss8109]

I had a 3.6 in a wrangler. I added a “catch can” and it used to catch quite a bit.

[@greenman7612]

What do you mean by catch can?

[@jeffreygoss8109]

@@greenman7612 it sits between the Pcv and the intake. When the Pcv opens it sucks oil with the pressurized air and fouls plugs and leaves carbon on the intake valves and maybe clogs oil rings. I’m no mechanic so …..

[@ericneeds1512]

@@jeffreygoss8109 Makes me think of the old school 'cans' from my slant 6 days.

[@gabeh7373]

I have a 3.6 Pentastar in my Pacifica Hybrid absolutely zero issues motor runs great in the hybrid configuration super gas efficient!

[@chady6126]

Great video again! I work where these are manufactured. Good to see them coming apart instead of going together 👍

[@robertdickerson16]

Doing my mom's 2013 charger ,same engine ,low pressure and dead cylinder 6,changing the head this weekend and needed this video badly,15 year self taught mechanic,already had to change bank 2 timing chain , exhaust camshaft,and 4 rocker arms in bank 2 just to get it running now I gotta take it apart again and change head and gasket of course, thanks

[@44hawk28]

Really low mileage, a lot of really good parts. Those heads and valve train should be sold as is. The problem was more than likely the PCV valve was stuck open and was acting too aggressively to carbon it up that quickly. I've seen those engines run to 200 plus thousand miles and the only reason they had to be worked on is because the timing change had stretched to a point where it just was running rough. These are very capable engines unless you drive them too hard. As for that oil cooler base and the oil filter housing, Dorman does make a replacement aluminum casting for that, however you must switch it over to the newer system so it has a slight Plumbing change you cannot use the oil cooler from the 2011 and 2012 engines, you have to go with the 2013 and newer oil cooler. If I thought that that were normal I would suggest that you put an oil catch can on that engine. Given as low miles is that engine head, it was sucking way too much oil. An oil catch can would have relieved much of that issue on that particular engine but a proper PCV valve might have been better. It's amazing how that little 49 cent PCV valve cause that engine to be junked when it was perfectly good. I don't recall seeing a lot of oil Ash on any of the plugs. That was unusual.

[@jordankendall86]

Doesn't a PCV move gases from the crankcase to the combustion chamber? So theoretically a clogged pcv wouldn't cause carbon build up, right?

[@bobkonradi1027]

I have a Pentastar 3.2 liter engine version of the 3.6 in my 2017 Jeep Cherokee (not Grand Cherokee). . Built in the same plant. In fact, I've read that the block is the same casting#, they're first bored before the liners are put in. The article I read said the only difference between a 3.2 and the 3.6 is the bore liners on the 3.2 are thicker, to achieve a smaller bore, but both go down the same machining line until time to put in the bore liners. Its now at 99K miles and has had absolutely no work done on it at all other than one computer upgrade. It gets regular synthetic oil changes and that's it. Uses only a part of a quart of oil per 1000-miles. It IS coming due for its 100K maintenance and trans fluid changeout. Gets 31-32 mpg between SW Colorado and Phoenix, either way, vs a 25 mpg EPA highway rating, for over 25 round trips with the 9-spd auto trans. Based on my experience with the engine, I'm its biggest cheerleader. Thanks to Eric for having this teardown and general discussion of the engine. It never hurts to learn a little more and more about your car's engine on an ongoing basis.

[@Driver0378]

Cool to see how my engine was built and comes apart. (16 Chrysler 300). I’m thinking it just wasn’t driven hard enough, often enough. I don’t think I’ll have much of any carbon problems with mine as I take backroads to and from work, on 2 lane roads, and there’s always some slow truck or tractor I need to pass quickly with oncoming traffic. Lol. Great vids Eric! Keep it up!

[@63Imp283]

Thinking about doing the catch cans simple to make, easy

[@ronniedale6040]

You know what this channel needs? That most notorious of gm masterpieces..NORTHSTAR

[@randymagnum143]

They are powerful, and fuel efficient. We had no trouble in 200k miles with the 2011 we had.

[@nicw5963]

They also come in 2010 - 2019 journeys. Thank you for this video. I own 2 journeys with this motor in them. You sir are awesome. What if someone wanted them guides

[@localroger]

It was actually kind of fun watching you take apart a good engine as you realize it was a good engine until you tore it down.

[@bertsdealz8950]

The block for this engine is also the base for the Maserati/Ferrari F160 Twin Turbo. Do one of those next, they're easy to find! LOLOL, JKJK. Those however also get carbon in the intake valves like this one, but I never heard about carbon issues in the combustion chamber. Great video as always!

[@DangitBobby...]

Really enjoy the videos, congratulations on your upcoming second kiddo! As far as engines to tear down in the future... a Mercedes M177 (hey, long shot) or maybe one of those new variable compression Nissan/Infiniti engines would be cool.

[@morpheus_9]

Those nissan engines arent even out yet??

[@CaptainSpadaro]

@@morpheus_9 The variable compression ones have been available for a few years now, in the Infiniti QX50 and the Nissan Altima (why it's in the latter I do not know, given the rep Altima owners have for being lax on maintenance).

[@Donald_Shaw]

For some reason, I find watching you teardown an engine is so satisfying to me. Thanks for my Saturday evening relaxation video,

[@reubensandwich9249]

I often wonder, do you eventually pick up the parts you throw around, or do your coworkers arrive in the morning and realize you stayed late to do a teardown video.

[@grilobite]

Where they fall, they stay. They serve as a warning to future engines to not disobey the will of Big Blue and the breaker bars. Some say when the shop is closed and everyone has gone home you can still hear the tortured cries of head bolts cracking loose and the distant rumble of an air compressor building up pressure.

[@I_Do_Cars]

I usually pick them up if I can find them. Trajectory not always known

[@hellfire_2923]

@@grilobite well said 😂

[@2017Michael]

This is my engine. 14 Charger. Thanks for letting me see inside 🙏🏾

[@benupde1979]

This engine was in a van/car that was driven in very short trips. Didn’t get a chance to warm up enough to start heading the combustion chamber up to burn that carbon off.

[@reddpanda7240]

I have one of these in a 2012 Charger, 100 K and still running good. A couple of recalls, replaced the alternator and change the transmission software. 290 HP/3.6L = 1.3 HP/C.I. I can remember when a Horse per C.I. was a big deal.

[@hdrenginedevelopment7507]

Had a couple as rentals. Not quite as exciting to rev out as the GM 3.6 LFX, but they're still pretty motivated and reasonably sporty. They have a good power delivery and the factory calibration will actually pick up a bit of low end ignition timing advance on higher octane fuel and make them a bit more fun, at least with the newer ones. The GM for all its problems still had about the most remarkably broad power delivery of any modern non turbo engine...really excellent low end response, no bog anywhere in the power curve, and will actually pull right up to the 7200 rpm rev cut with authority. Most things these days feel like the last 500-1000 rpm on the tach is just kind of optional/pointless.

[@BabyGators]

Could the excessive carbon buildup just be from long durations of idling?

[@benaldredge2671]

I was wondering the same. That’s a boatload of carbon.

[@ralphallen5779]

I agree 👍 That's really the only way this could happen

[@youtbe999]

Police car?

[@nicholasvinen]

@@ralphallen5779 it could also be lots of short trips.

[@Dagrond]

"Don't make me get the loader." LOL, that was epic. Happy you didn't have to go through all that again though.

[@Takticals]

Id love to see a 12 or 24 valve VW/Audi VR6 engine teardown

[@289hipo]

My favorite "carbon lock" story was working on a neighbor's 1970 Lincoln when I was 17 - had a bottom end knock; after checking the lifters, pulled the pan and a rod bearing....pretty worn, so spun a new set in. At start up it still had a knock.....old mechanic showed me it was a carbon knock

[@Joshuabryabt-gf6sc]

I'd love to see a 6.4 srt hemi motor! Love the channel, this is a great way for me to distress from a terrible Saturday of work.

[@e.l.9589]

RAM 6.4L is not the SRT, that is the Dodge 392.

[@Joshuabryabt-gf6sc]

@@e.l.9589 they used the same block as the ram 6.4 but changed a few things including the heads from what I was told before having mine built but was curious to see a bone stock one go up to his channel

[@e.l.9589]

@@Joshuabryabt-gf6sc SRT has the orange block with more power, my RAM has BGE stamp. Pistons may have higher compression on SRT. I'd like to see either one, but that may be a good thing if none are available.

[@jcreeker5581]

My bet is on oil changes were done at around ~10,000 + miles. Though may owners manual say you can go that long between oil changes, others have documented failures related to those long oil change intervals. Their research shows that the oil rings start to stick and oil gets into the combustion chamber. Of course that would lead to the carbon build up in the engine's combustion chamber. Since this motor had some sticking oil rings, the data suggest that this is a reasonable hypothesis.

[@RJARRRPCGP]

Yep, if it looks black like rodent poo, it's time to change the oil!

[@EATSLEEPDRIVE2002]

This was an awesome one to watch. I just bought a 6-speed Gladiator with the Pentastar and am very pleased with it. I’m glad it’s port injected so I don’t have to worry about intake valves carboning up. It has plenty of power for what it is, and the best I’ve gotten is 26.7 mpg. And it sounds damn good with an exhaust as well😎

[@Eccentricplum]

Love how you compliment the component, then throw it.

[@Stealth86651]

As usual the effort/content is greatly appreciated, thanks for the videos.

[@DanielJohnson-ps4xv]

I’m looking at buying a new Durango with this engine. I’m glad you have a tear down video

[@Wtrxprs007able]

"These oil coolers never go bad" Me laughing as I get flashbacks to 3 I've done in the past 2 months at work 🙃 😅

[@willfixthingsfordonuts]

Your comment about the oil cooler made me smile. I've had to replace those twice. Not hard, just tedious. THEY ALL LEAK

[@marklowe330]

That engine was eased to death. You have to run them a little hard or the carbon doesn't get blown out.

[@MomirPeh]

That's true for many other engines, I guess. Especially diesels.

[@map3384]

Or run the engine on 93 octane.

[@zacht9447]

@@map3384 93 octane on an engine designed for 87 provides no benefit

[@map3384]

@@zacht9447 Says who? You . 87 octane means carbon build up. My dad who was a mechanic told me that when I bought my CJ7 brand new in 1986. So I used nothing but 93. When I sold the vehicle it had 157,000 miles and purred like a kitten.

[@zacht9447]

@@map3384 No it doesn't At ALL. Low load low combustion temperatures mean carbon build up. All High octane fuel does is prevent preignition. It has no impact on carbon deposits. It doesn't "Burn Hotter" or make more power.

[@lawdawg1942]

My company has bought at least 15 caravans from 2011 and up. The older vans got slightly better fuel mileage and the build quality on the older vans seems better. We sell them off at 185k miles and I don't think we have ever had a bad motor or transmission. Lots of brakes however. We also have a few promaster vans with that motor. I can't imagine having to work on those.

[@smitr123]

I got 2 of them. They are great engines IF you change the oil with full synthetic every 5k miles. Never trust the built in oil life monitor. I change oil at 5k and it says I still have 48% oil life left.......yaaa right

[@MrC9Oh3]

I change mine every 4k tops

[@PardnerCLUTCH]

I really enjoy your channel. Good balance of real know-how and shop humor without corny voice overs and intro/outro music.

[@willgriffin3490]

Lots of carbon.. that engine needed to spend a weekend with a teenager to run it wide open. Looks like it was well maintained and driven way too easy.

[@the_haunted_outhouse]

I agree. A solid Italian tuneup probably would have done a lot of good for this one.

[@matjordan82]

Now I have a reason to hammer on my caravan!

[@DAxBatres]

Perfect timing on the video, I just got a ram with this engine. Also the way he YEETED the dip stick across the room was hilarious

[@jamesdiamond1582]

My guess was the pcv stuck open on a car that sits at idle for a long period of time 🤔🤯

[@mattfissell3068]

"That rail is absolutely perfect!"---immediately gets thrown into the scrap pile. Love it.