A special Jeep liberty to me

[godtheater]

after mom passed I purchased her Jeep Liberty from my dad.

It had low Mileage and well taken care of.

I put around 10k miles on it and then the unexpected happen.

This 55-60k Jeep blew out lifters and one shot through the head. No one could explain why it failed with only a few k on it.

Make a long story short I need a new motor.

After a long stay at the dealer they could only find one with 150k motor and wanted 7k for it and install.

I am not dumb I told them where to go!

Anyway I see I can find other 3.7 from different years. Is this true?

I am looking for low mileage ones can I get a newer year motor to work? Or do I have to drop in only a liberty motor? What was the last year they stop making the 3.7? What year was the best?

2008 Jeep liberty 4x4

Thank you everyone! and nice to meet you all.

I appreciate any and all help.

 

[KJowner]

Ebay / local scrapyards are your best bet for second hand, however if it's only heads then rebuilding yours may be better, depending on what is actually damaged, I'm guessing this was a snapped cam belt?

 

[godtheater]

Ebay / local scrapyards are your best bet for second hand, however if it's only heads then rebuilding yours may be better, depending on what is actually damaged, I'm guessing this was a snapped cam belt?

Shot and went through the side of the cylinder head

 

[KJowner]

Shot and went through the side of the cylinder head

Owch!

 

[godtheater]

So yea barely used stranded me in the worst possible time of my life

 

[KJowner]

If it's only damaged a head I'd just replace that, the low mileage bottom end should be good for lots more miles & it will cost much less than buying a new engine and paying someone to do an engine change.
I believe there are differences between early and late v6 engines so try to get parts from a similar year car, mine is a diesel so I can't offer too much advice on the V6 but most of the folk on here can.

 

[lfhoward]

I believe 2007 and 2008 are compatible with each other. The 07 KJ has all the same electronics as the first KK year in 2008. I am on my second engine and this is what I remember. Granted, it was 11 years ago so my memory isn’t what it used to be…