I've spun bearings on every 3.7 I've owned..

[3.7Mech]

Background: I ran 30W MaxLife blend with Napa Platinum filter at 4k intervals. One was 2003 one was 2006 both 3.7 4x4.

Both eventually spun or broke a bearing just commuting on flat grade pavement. The second one a slight knock but would stall at lights and barely start with oil light showing; oil was proper level battery was new and recharging

My question is: was there ever a known defect with the oil pumps? Both of these died the same way with ideal maintenance, but only once they got over 100k.. It seems the oil pump does something to circulation and heat nukes bearings.. Maybe oil pump doesn't handle a high rev on a random takeoff after 100k somewhere?

 

[LibertyTC]

30 weight oil ?
The KJ gasoline 3.7 OEM specification is 5W-30

 

[burntkat]

Two problems...

You're running 30 weight oil.... Why? Spec is 5w30..

And Valvoline Maxlife? If you've had oil issues, why on earth are you running the same oil, still?

 

[3.7Mech]

Since when do people use the cold-viscosity rating to describe weight? It was 5-30W, because it says it on the cap and in the manual..

Why would I use a top-rated brand high mileage oil and filter on a 130k and 150k engine? Gee.. let me think..

If you want to go for it was Valvoline oil with high-mile detergents then more power to you.. lol. I'll stick to some kind of oil-pump defect myself, because mass-market tested oils don't wipe out engines without defects..

BTW I don't rule out the PS and IAC *defect* mentioned on these forums for the last one(2006); clinking after a hard start then oil light. The first didn't have similar symptoms; was just going down highway 55MPH in 60F.

 

[derekj]

Hard life before you owned them maybe?

 

[KJowner]

Shot injectors dropped fuel into the sump when the engine stops??
Racing it from cold?
Previous lack of oil changes?
Bad luck?
Without oil samples and an engine autopsy it's not an easy answer.