2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7 Engine: 5 Problems & Solutions

Reliability & performance are the two best factors of the Jeep Liberty 3.7L engine, and these two features make it a compact SUV. Unfortunately, people, including me, have experienced significant problems with this 3.7L engine. 

Faulty valve seats and damaged piston rings are two major problems of the 2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7 engine. Apart from them, Defective PCV Valves and lash adjusters are another two concerning facts. Including those four, you can count 5 major 2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7 Engine Problems.

Today, I will go through all those issues and provide solutions accordingly. Before that, watch this video to get a gist.

Key Specs of 2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7 Engine

The 2005 JEEP LIBERTY has two editions; one is a regular sport model, and the other one is a limited sports edition. Therefore, they have two different engines; the first comes with 150 horsepower and a 2.4L engine size.

And the second one comes up with the 3.6L engine size you are looking for in this write-up. It has 6 cylinders, and it is a 210-horsepower engine. It’s budget-friendly and a compact SUV that can produce enough power for daily driving. However, this 3.7L engine has some significant issues discussed below. 

2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7 Engine Problems & Solutions

You got through the engine specs and have an idea about its reliability and performance. Still, this engine may fall you into some trouble once it hits 100k miles. Although it is supposed to provide you with a minimum of 200k miles, problems will arise after half its lifetime. 

It’s time to get through all 5 problems of the 3.7L engine and see how to solve them accordingly.

Faulty Valve Seats (Most Common Problem)

The valve seat on the V6 Cylinders will ensure the perfect airtightness of the 3.7L engine combustion chamber. If you go through your 2005 Jeep Liberty engine, you will find a total of 6 cylinders, and each of them will have 2 valve seats.

Sometimes, they will get damaged or decay over time. As a result, these valve seats will fail to maintain air tightness. Eventually, these valves will expand and hampers the engine’s performance. 

However, the faulty valve seats will create the following problems:

● Increased Smoke

● Excess Oil Consumption

● Less Acceleration Power

● Engine Idling

Solution: As soon as you notice any faulty valve seats, you should replace them immediately. Remember, the defective valve seats cannot be repaired or reused if they are decayed or broken. I am trying to fix my damaged valve seats. Guess what? It was a big mistake in automotive life.

Defective PCV Valve Fail to Release Air 

Another common problem of the Jeep Liberty 3.7 engine is defective PCV valves. This engine part will regulate the pressure; consequently, the PCV valve will be damaged after maintaining high temperature and pressure for a long time.

When I found that PCV valves were not working correctly and getting damaged, I faced some engine problems. They are:

1. Oil Leaks
2. Sludge Engine
3. Check Engine Light 
4. Whistling Noise

Most people experience similar challenges once their PCV valve gets damaged and fails to release the excess guess.

Solution: Sometimes, the dirt and other engine leftovers will be stuck to the PCV valve and clog the valve. In such cases, you can clean your PCV valve and reinstall it. If the PCV valve is damaged, you must replace it with a new one.

The damaged Piston Ring is Not Working.

Most of the Jeep Liberty 2005 users experience improper piston ring landings. This part is installed between the cylinder & piston and transforms the heat from piston to cylinder, and the piston groove and engine coolant are connected through the piston ring.

Do you know why the piston ring is damaged? 

I found three reasons for the damaged piston ring.

• Worn Liner
• Bad Fuel
• Wrong Combustion Process

Once the cylinder contains bad foil and processes it with poor combustion, the piston rings will be damaged, and they will go wrong and fail to transfer heat as before. In such cases, the engine will use excess oil. And the overall engine power will be decreased. 

Solution: Try to find out the reasons behind your bad piston rings. Maybe the fuel is bad, or the combustion process could be better. In such cases, you must change the existing oil and make your consumption process perfect. 

Stuck Lash Adjusters 

You should check the lash adjusters if you ever notice any rough idling or tick noise from the 3.7L engine. The lash adjusters will usually be stuck since they ensure the minimum fuel flow, and these lifters are also responsible for airflow.

From my experience, I saw that the lash adjusters or other lifters get enough sticky things and quickly become stuck. Dirt and dust are also significant concerns for stuck adjusters or lifters. Also, if the engine remains unused for a long time, the adjusters or lifters will be stuck too.

Eventually, the lash adjusters will end up lowering the engine performance.

Solution: Replacing the bad adjusters or lifters is the best solution. People only repair their lash adjusters if it gets a little sticky that can be removed.

Check Engine Lights for Exhaust Manifold 

Some 2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7 engine problems are associated with the exhaust manifold. This part of the engine collects all the exhaust fumes from the 6 cylinders, and then the exhaust manifold directs those fumes to the convertor. 

However, this process will get affected by exhaust leaks and damaged issues. When you use the 2005 3.7L engine for a long time, the exhaust manifold will get a lot of leaks. 

Once the exhaust manifold gets damaged or leaks, it will show you the below signs:

• Abnormal Engine Noise
• Decrease Fuel Economy
• Check Engine Lights 

Solution: Once you find any leak on the exhaust manifold, you need to repair it and cover that area. If the exhaust manifold gets too old, it needs immediate replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s The Worst Problem of the 2005 Jeep Liberty Engine?

Faulty valve seats & damaged or leaked exhaust manifolds are the worst problem of any 2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7L engine. If you count a single engine problem, it could be the damaged valve seats. 

Can I Solve My 2005 Jeep Engine Problems Myself?

Yes, you can solve your 2005 Jeep engine problems yourself if you have the required DIY skills & tools. However, some significant issues, including a damaged exhaust manifold, would need professional help to replace it. 

Is the 2005 Jeep Liberty Engine Reliable & Durable?

The 2005 Jeep Engine is reliable & durable too. It may last anything from 10 to 15 years. If you count the miles, this may last for 200,000 miles. But the engine will show you the above problems after 100k miles.

Is Jeep Liberty 3.7L Engine Powerful?

The Jeep Liberty 3.7L engine is powerful enough to cover daily tasks, although you cannot expect to get the most powerful engine performance. 

Closing Words

The 2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7 Engine problems should be considered along with its benefits. No doubt about the engine’s reliability & durability, but the engine parts, including valve seats, exhaust manifold, and other lifters, may create some common engine problems. 

However, you have problems with the 3.7L engine, and I have solutions for them. Go through each situation described above and try to sort them out accordingly.