The 4.7L engine debuted in the Jeep family back in 2002. Designed and built by the American Motors Corporation, they debuted it for Chrysler in 1998 which became the first V8 engine in four decades.
Over the years, the 4.7L engine has become efficient. However, misuse of your vehicle and failure to maintain your vehicle will result in problems. Want to know the most common problems that affect the Jeep 4.7L engine and their solutions?
Keep reading!
6 Most Common Jeep 4.7 Engine Problems With Their Solutions
1. Excessive Noises
On certain occasions, you may hear excessive noises from your 4.7L engine. Well, this is a common malfunction, and you can trace the problem to severe engine failure. One of the causes of engine failure is detonation.
This is the abnormal combustion caused by excess pressure and heat in the combustion cylinder. When this happens, there is excessive cylinder pressure resulting in a strong blow on the piston. This will produce a pinging noise.
A defect in the exhaust seals will also produce excessive noise. Basically, when you accelerate your Jeep, you can hear a firecracker sound. Also, the lack of the right engine oil is some of the issues behind the excessive noise from the engine.
Solution
First, we recommend that you apply internal fluids periodically. Next, before you start your Jeep, warm the engine. When you do so, proper expansion of the metal occurs when the engine reaches the ideal temperature. However, if you live in a cold region, the engine hardly heats up.
When this happens, the metal generates excessive noise as a result of vibration. In addition, we recommend that you consult a professional mechanic if the problem persists.
2. Oil Pressure
The number one reason why your 4.7L engine would have low oil pressure is because of a lack of oil. Running your vehicle without enough oil will lock up the engine. Due to this, your vehicle’s engine performance will be reduced.
Second, the used oil will become too thick. This occurs when the condition of the filling plug and lid gaskets has issues. As a result, the oil will become old. Engines that run long enough without an oil change schedule get so dirty on the inside that it begins building up inside the crankcase. Alternatively, the oil becomes dirty and no longer cycles through the engine properly. This causes low oil pressure.
Solution
The first thing you need to do is change the oil on time. We recommend that you use lightweight and high-quality engine oil. In addition, seek the help of a professional mechanic to choose the right engine oil for your vehicle.
3. Oil Leak
The vast majority of oil leaks occur due to oil seals and bad connections, degraded engine gaskets, and oil pan leaks. If leaks go unchecked, they get on rubber seals and hoses causing them to degrade prematurely.
Leaking oil can leave ugly stains on your driveway. Also, the leaks are an environmental hazard. Worst of all, they are a fire risk and can result in catastrophic engine failure. To ensure this does not happen, fix oil leaks.
Solution
It’s important to keep a close eye on your oil dipstick if you want to check for engine oil leaks. If you notice the oil level dropping over time, then you’ve a leak. Also, when you’re driving, and you see blue smoke coming from the tailpipe, it means oil might be leaking from the engine.
After a drive, we recommend taking a sniff to smell any burning oil. If you notice the smell of burning oil, that means oil is leaking onto the hot components of your engine. Lastly, look out for oil puddles or stains under the engine compartment.
Once you identify signs of an oil leak, crawl under the car and check the oil pan seals. While there, check the oil pan drain plug. Next, check the valve cover gaskets and timing cover seal. These problems require extensive repairs which are not cheap.
Take your car to a service center and let a professional mechanic handle the problem.
4. Bad Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are responsible for generating sparks that ignite the fuel and air mixture in the engine’s combustion chambers. So, if you notice the following signs – poor acceleration, engine misfires, rough idle, and poor fuel economy, then your spark plugs are in bad condition.
Spark plug issues start to occur after driving 80,000 to 100,000 miles. You’ll start to notice your engine misfire. It then momentarily cuts out because the cylinders are not firing correctly. This can lead to higher emissions and an uncomfortable ride.
Bad spark plugs also result in a decline in acceleration. You’ll start to feel your vehicle’s accelerator loose its sensitivity. When this happens, head to the nearest mechanic shop where they’ll change the spark plugs and get your vehicle accelerating again
Solution
Besides changing your spark plugs, we recommend using your Jeep as needed. Basically, you need to use your Jeep more smoothly. This will extend the life of your spark plugs. Remember to follow the maintenance schedule to ensure optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency.
5. Head Gasket Failure
Head gasket problems can pop up on the 4.7L engine due to mileage and age. However, the most common cause of head gasket failure is overheating. If the engine overheats severely and for a long period, your vehicle will experience head gasket problems.
If you notice any issue with your cooling system, it’s best to pull somewhere safe immediately. Do not take risks and try to reach your destination. This is because the 4.7 engine head gasket may give out when the engine overheats.
If you continue with your journey, you risk head gasket failure if you have a cooling issue going on. Besides overheating, other signs of head gasket failure include:
Sweet smell
Engine oil color off
White smoke from the exhaust
Coolant loss
Solution
The solution for head gasket failure is the replacement of the blown head gasket. The cost of doing so is around $500 to $1,000, and most service centers will quote 6 to 10 hours of labor. However, the parts cost $100. This does not mean that you should DIY. Instead, seek the help of a professional mechanic.
6. Oil Sludge
Another issue that affects the 4.7L engine is oil sludge. This happens when the oil builds up regardless of the weight of the motor oil. The sludge occurs as a result of faulty positive crankcase ventilation. It can also be due to a faulty valve or PCV.
You may also encounter another issue called oil foam. This is usually evident on the oil dipstick and oil cap. It happens due to a faulty PCV valve. Because of this issue, your vehicle will require an oil change every 3,000 miles instead of 6,000 miles.
Solution
To resolve the problem, change the PCV and use high-mileage oil.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is a jeep 4.7 a good engine?
The 4.7-liter gasoline engine was originally made by Chrysler and fitted on Jeep models. As their first V8 engine in nearly four decades, the engine is good and can last over 150,000 miles. However, if you don’t keep up with maintenance, the engine becomes a problem.
2. How long does a jeep 4.7 last?
The 4.7L engine has an average lifespan of 100,000 to 200,000 which means it can last around 20+ years. This is more than good enough time to get most of your investment.
3. How much horsepower does a 4.7 liter V8 engine have?
The 4.7L V8 engine has 235 to 310 horsepower. The difference in horsepower is due to the different exhaust and intake designs.
Final Words
There you have it, the 6 most common Jeep 4.7L engine problems and their solutions. From the post above, we’ve seen that most of the problems arise due to misuse of the vehicle or lack of maintenance. To ensure your 4.7L engine lasts long and you get to avoid the problems above, carry out regular maintenance.