Most Common Jeep 4.7 Engine Problems

Jeep 4.7 PowerTech was first introduced in the Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999 as the base engine. Later on, it became part of various Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler models. The standard 4.6 PowerTec engine is an 8-cylinder engine rated 335 hp for horsepower and 330 lb-ft torque.

Standard 4.7 PowerTech

This engine 4.7L V8 offered a 235 hp and 295 torque.

• 1999-2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2006-2009 Jeep Commander
• 2000-2007 Dodge Dakota
• 2000-2009 Dodge Durango
• 2002-2007 Dodge Ram 1500
• 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen

4.7L PowerTech High Output 

In 2002, A higher output version of this engine was released in Jeep Grand Cherokee that offered 265-310 horsepower and 320-334 torque. It came in the the following vehicle models

• 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2007-2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2007-2008 Dodge Dakota & Ram 1500

The engine has been in the market for more than 2 decades and over this period it has got both good and bad reviews. Like all other jeep motors, it is also prone to some common faults and failures. If you are going to buy a vehicle with a jeep 4.7 engine, you need to be aware of its common problems and their possible solutions. Let’s have a look at jeep 4.7 engine problems and their solutions. Here are the issues you might face with the Jeep 3.8 engine.

Jeep 4.7 Engine Problems – Magnum Dodge Ram, Dakota,

1. Troublesome Cooling System

Overheating has a devastating effect on the engine performance so a faulty cooling system is on top of the jeep 4.7 engine problems. It is not a sporadic issue, instead, it develops over time. The cooling system of the Jeep consists of various parts like hoses, radiator, coolant chamber, and thermostat. These parts wear out over time leading to overhaul issues.

Also, the damage to any part can affect the performance of the whole cooling system. The common symptoms of this problem are uncontrolled and unusual heat, steam under the hood, low coolant level, or coolant leaks. A problem at one part of the cooling system leads to overheating that can cause serious damage if not handled on time.

The problem can occur as early as 70,000 miles. The problem of detection is a little bit challenging because the science coolant system is complex. If your engine is reaching 200 degrees on an on-road drive the cooling system is surely damaged. Only a well-trained mechanic will be able to detect the problem and find a solution.

Solution

• Replacement of the damaged parts like the water chamber or hose.
• Fix the coolant leakage issues.
• Replacement of the damaged parts.
• Installation of the temperature monitoring system.

2. Oil Pressure And Sludge

Oil pressure is one of the most commonly reported 2001 jeep grand Cherokee 4.7 engine problems. Irregular oil pressure is associated with poor oil maintenance and faulty PCV valves.

A positive ventilation crankcase valve is responsible for keeping the exhaust gasses away from the crankcase. If this valve is not working properly it may lead to sludge build-up leading to poor fuel economy and more oil consumption.

Increased oil pressure is one of the most commonly reported “Chrysler 4.7 v8 problems. Oil becomes excessively thick when the filling plug and gasket lid are in poor condition. Overheating and higher friction lead to coil damage. Sludge build-up makes the RPM too high and leads to rough idling.

Solution

• If the PCV valve is damaged you can replace it. The replacement cost of the PCV Valve is not high since it is not a labor-intensive task.
• Changing the oil on time is another easy way through which you can get rid of bad oil pressure issues.
• As the engine gets older, it works better with lightweight oil. So it is advised to use high-quality synthetic, and lightweight oil.

3. Gasket Failure

Gasket failure is one of the most serious jeep 4.7 engine problems. This problem is interrelated with overeating and cooling system damage issues. Gasket failure can develop in any engine with age and mileage. However, the issue is reported for jeep 4.7 engines as early as 60,000 miles.

It is because this engine is less tolerant to prolonged overheating sessions than the other. If you do regular off-roading the gasket failure can develop at the early stages of the engine life.

When the temperature of the engine remains higher than 200-degree Celsius for a longer period of time it ultimately results in gasket head damage. The problem is not easy to detect however it has some unusual symptoms that can make you check the gasket head.

Low coolant level without any visible leakage point, bad engine oil color, and white smoke from the exhaust is commonly associated with gasket head failure. The coolant chamber leaks internally and the color of the smoke is white when the coolant is burned. Since gasket head failure is directly related to the cooling system, it can lead to serious damage if not handled at the early stages.

Solution

• A bad or blown head gasket should be replaced immediately after detection.
• Head gaskets for jeep 4.7 engines are available over a wide range of $600-$1000.
• It is recommended to go for a professional installation since its performance highly depends on how precisely and efficiently it is installed on the gasket.

4. Valve Seat Failure

Valve seat failure is a less common but serious problem that is reported for the jeep 4.7 engine. The valve seats are responsible for perfect valve seals. The valve head rests against the valve seat when it is fully closed. These valve seats are highly prone to wearing and misalignment. Since it affects the performance of the valve the first thing that you notice is the poor compression.

The engine’s inability to maintain compression is associated with a collapsed valve seat in more than 90% of cases. If the valve set on only one or two cylinders is damaged, you may not feel a low power issue.

However, when valve seats on more than 3 cylinders have collapsed you will notice more serious symptoms like cylinder misfires and frequent loss of power.

Solution

• The most reliable solution to this problem is valve seat replacement.
• These valve seats are machined into the cylinder head. You may or may not be able to remove and re-machine the old worn-out heads into the cylinder heads.
• Therefore you need to replace the whole cylinder head to get rid of collapsed valve seats.
• It is tedious and labor intensive. A valve seat set for a jeep 4.6-liter engine can be as high as $1200.
• Plus the replacement or rebuild cost can be as high as $300 since only a well-trained technician can handle it.

5. Spark Plug Issue

Spark plug failure can happen any time after a mileage of 80,000 miles. The spark plug failure can lead to more serious issues like trouble starting, engine surging, low acceleration, inability to start in low-temperature conditions, and cylinder misfires.

Spark plug failure is not a big problem, but if it is neglected it gives birth to more serious conditions. Poor fuel economy is also most commonly related to spark plug issues.

Lack of power and acceleration can be due to many other reasons like valve seat failure, but before going deep down in the engine you must check the spark plugs. After a mileage of 70,000 miles, you should periodically check the spark plug condition as the issue can occur at any time.

Solution

• A spark plug is probably the cheapest component used in engines.
• The high-quality spark plug for a jeep 4.7 engine comes as low as $20. You can easily manage this issue by regularly checking the spark plug condition.
• If it is not working fine, get it replaced as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Jeep 4.7 a good engine?

Jeep 4.7 is a good engine considering its low operation cost, impressive power, and solid torque output. The best part is that the engine has been upgraded many times from 1999-2010. The biggest issue reported with Chrysler 4.7 V8 is its inability to handle prolonged overheating sessions.

How much power is the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 capable of making?

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 uses an upgraded variant of Chrysler 4.7 liter and is capable of producing 334 lb-ft torque and 335 hp horsepower.

Wrapping Up Jeep 4.7 Engine Problems Guide

At the end of the discussions, we can safely conclude that the jeep 4.7 engine is pretty reliable. Most of the issues related to this engine develop over time. Only a few sporadic issues are reported with this engine. With proper maintenance and quality oil usage, we can easily get away from jeep 4.7 engine problems.