I need help deciding whether to buy this 2012 JKU with engine problems or not.
Here's the bullet. I go into more detail below:
Asking price 11k.
Bluebook 17k.
Leaving $5000-$6000 theoretically to pay for needed repairs.
1) Oil pump $800
2) 02 sensor $200
3) 02 sensor lead $200 (this is a guess)
4) *"Right cylinder head valve train noise" or the infamous valve train "tick". Unknown as to how much this will cost. As car is out of warranty. $2000? IDK.
The vehicle us in excellent condition otherwise and has been inspected at the dealership. Otherwise I would not be considering this.
Further detail:
I ran a Carfax on it. It has 120k miles. No issues. (Carfax is pretty thorough here in CA. I know some don't trust these. It's not my end all be all report on a vehicle. Just one part of the picture.) 2 owner car. Very well maintained at the dealership most of its life. No major issues. And the vehicle has been obviously very well taken care of. I would describe its condition as near excellent. Interior and exterior. With the exception of some lightly faded fenders and flares. The interior is spotless.
The guys ad could not have been more honest. He's not a mechanic. But he's convinced it needs a cat and head gasket replacement. Based on loose recommendations from his local mechanic. And his own armchair diagnosis. He stated this all in his ad. Exactly what was going on, how long and what he had been told by his mechanic. I don't think he got any calls because of this brutal honesty. The ad has since expired.
I've been talking with this guy for a few weeks now. He's an executive type. And is either going to sell it or trade it in on a new Bronco.
We both agreed to have it diagnosed at the dealership. The report came back that it needed an 02 sensor and lead on left bank catalytic converter and new oil pump. But it also said they could hear "right cylinder head valve train noise" that needs diagnosis. Otherwise known as the Jeep JK "tick".
Jeep extended the manufacturers warranty on a very well known cylinder head and valve train noise "tick" problem to 10yrs and 150k miles. Unfortunately that ran out last March for this vehicle.
I added up the average cost of the 02 sensor, lead to the cat and the oil pump. Which came out to about $1200 if done at a non dealership.
However the valve train noise has been well documented online. As a very common "tick" that was replaced quite frequently under warranty. But it included everything from lifters to cams on one or both sides. And since this vehicle is out of warranty I would have to absorb that cost.
There is a very long thread about this valve train tick on another forum going back many years. No one mentioned severe engine damage or failure from it. But like I said the dealership had to replace several different items in many different owners Jeeps. Some just lifters. Others everything from lifters to cams.
It sounds like the oil pump and 02 sensor and lead need fixing asap. And the valve train noise sooner than later.
But I think I need a leak down test to fully determine if any additional damage has been done from the various repairs that need to be made.
Does that make sense? Am I giving myself enough cushion for repairs at $5000-$6000 off the bluebook value?
Is this a stupid idea altogether?
A Jasper replacement engine is over $5200 without labor. But with improvements that avoid the "tick" in the future.
Here's the bullet. I go into more detail below:
Asking price 11k.
Bluebook 17k.
Leaving $5000-$6000 theoretically to pay for needed repairs.
1) Oil pump $800
2) 02 sensor $200
3) 02 sensor lead $200 (this is a guess)
4) *"Right cylinder head valve train noise" or the infamous valve train "tick". Unknown as to how much this will cost. As car is out of warranty. $2000? IDK.
The vehicle us in excellent condition otherwise and has been inspected at the dealership. Otherwise I would not be considering this.
Further detail:
I ran a Carfax on it. It has 120k miles. No issues. (Carfax is pretty thorough here in CA. I know some don't trust these. It's not my end all be all report on a vehicle. Just one part of the picture.) 2 owner car. Very well maintained at the dealership most of its life. No major issues. And the vehicle has been obviously very well taken care of. I would describe its condition as near excellent. Interior and exterior. With the exception of some lightly faded fenders and flares. The interior is spotless.
The guys ad could not have been more honest. He's not a mechanic. But he's convinced it needs a cat and head gasket replacement. Based on loose recommendations from his local mechanic. And his own armchair diagnosis. He stated this all in his ad. Exactly what was going on, how long and what he had been told by his mechanic. I don't think he got any calls because of this brutal honesty. The ad has since expired.
I've been talking with this guy for a few weeks now. He's an executive type. And is either going to sell it or trade it in on a new Bronco.
We both agreed to have it diagnosed at the dealership. The report came back that it needed an 02 sensor and lead on left bank catalytic converter and new oil pump. But it also said they could hear "right cylinder head valve train noise" that needs diagnosis. Otherwise known as the Jeep JK "tick".
Jeep extended the manufacturers warranty on a very well known cylinder head and valve train noise "tick" problem to 10yrs and 150k miles. Unfortunately that ran out last March for this vehicle.
I added up the average cost of the 02 sensor, lead to the cat and the oil pump. Which came out to about $1200 if done at a non dealership.
However the valve train noise has been well documented online. As a very common "tick" that was replaced quite frequently under warranty. But it included everything from lifters to cams on one or both sides. And since this vehicle is out of warranty I would have to absorb that cost.
There is a very long thread about this valve train tick on another forum going back many years. No one mentioned severe engine damage or failure from it. But like I said the dealership had to replace several different items in many different owners Jeeps. Some just lifters. Others everything from lifters to cams.
It sounds like the oil pump and 02 sensor and lead need fixing asap. And the valve train noise sooner than later.
But I think I need a leak down test to fully determine if any additional damage has been done from the various repairs that need to be made.
Does that make sense? Am I giving myself enough cushion for repairs at $5000-$6000 off the bluebook value?
Is this a stupid idea altogether?
A Jasper replacement engine is over $5200 without labor. But with improvements that avoid the "tick" in the future.
