How to search for a used engine?

Moab

JK Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2023
Messages
125
Location
90245
Searching for a used engine for a 2012 JKU.

Car-parts.com lists a 2018 Jeep JK engine with 75k for $2850. From a fairly well known Jeep salvage yard in Indiana called Baseline 4x4. Says it was tested and ran. Includes pics of the vehicle and motor. And vin so I can run a carfax.

I have a few questions:

Who pays return shipping on a core fee? Is that included in the core price? Is it cheaper if I have my mechanic order it?

Besides water pump and oil pump (Replacing the stock oil pump with the Dorman unit. As I have read the Dorman is better than the faulty stock unit. Or was this oul pump issue fixed by 2018?), what other expenses are involved in replacing the engine?

I have also read you can/need to use your current 2012 ecm. As the 2018 is different.

I have also read that the the faulty rockers in the 2012 were upgraded in 2014+.

*What else am I not asking that I should be?
 
Searching for a used engine for a 2012 JKU.

Car-parts.com lists a 2018 Jeep JK engine with 75k for $2850. From a fairly well known Jeep salvage yard in Indiana called Baseline 4x4. Says it was tested and ran. Includes pics of the vehicle and motor. And vin so I can run a carfax.

I have a few questions:

Who pays return shipping on a core fee? Is that included in the core price? Is it cheaper if I have my mechanic order it?

Besides water pump and oil pump (Replacing the stock oil pump with the Dorman unit. As I have read the Dorman is better than the faulty stock unit. Or was this oul pump issue fixed by 2018?), what other expenses are involved in replacing the engine?

I have also read you can/need to use your current 2012 ecm. As the 2018 is different.

I have also read that the the faulty rockers in the 2012 were upgraded in 2014+.

*What else am I not asking that I should be?

I only live about a 1hr from Baseline but never been there, I know they sell quite a few parts.

If it was mine I'd just buy a long block with a Warranty, if your planning on keeping the Jeep for a lot longer.
 
I only live about a 1hr from Baseline but never been there, I know they sell quite a few parts.

If it was mine I'd just buy a long block with a Warranty, if your planning on keeping the Jeep for a lot longer.
If I had the cash I'd buy a Powertrain for $5300 with the 5 yr warranty. But then your into it over $7000 with shipping. I may do this if I can wait longer. It runs fine. But there is a god awful coolant smell in the cabin.

I looked into Jegs and the others and found terrible reviews about their warranties. One guy took him two years to get a refund out of Jegs. Plus Powertrain is 5 years not 3.

My JKU is a 2012. So if I have to go used it will at least be a 2014+ with the rockers and other issues ironed out. But ya. The Powertrain is the way to go. If I can stand the coolant smell until I can afford it I'll just go that route.

Baseline appears to be a huge salvager of Jeep engines and parts. They have a large inventory on car-parts. And they are very good about which ones have been tested, great pics of engine and wrecked vehicle, and I think they have a 1 yr warranty iirc. Which I have not seen from other yards. I think they do a good job of testing and backing up their used engines.

Most other yards are very vague about their engines, make no warranty, and post few if any pics.
 
What happened with the Jasper engine purchase? Get a fresh engine with a good warranty, but even if it goes bad, you’re still out the labor to remove and install.
 
What happened with the Jasper engine purchase? Get a fresh engine with a good warranty, but even if it goes bad, you’re still out the labor to remove and install.
It wasn't me. But while researching engines I came across more than one person who had problems with Jasper. One guy took two years to get a refund on his engine. And others had issues too. IIRC the Jasper engine only has a 3 yr warranty. And is the same price as the Powertrain. But the Powertrain comes with a 5 yr warranty. I think it also lists a more complete list if upgrades too. Like things that needed improved in the stock 3.6l.