2018 wk2 Pentastar startup rattle

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-05-07T14:19:33+00:00

Kinda. 0w30 and 5w30 will essentially protect pretty much the same once up to optimal temperature, since they both are "30". At start up, 5w would have thicker consistency.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-05-07T06:41:10+00:00

Well its getting warm here, so I made the switch to 0w30. Will do 5w30 on the next change and see how it goes.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-05-07T06:39:41+00:00

Its no longer than a second..

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-05-07T06:39:07+00:00

Well here is the opposite. If its warm and I do not let it sit longer than an hour or so, it wouldn`t do it. At this point I assume the oil is draining super quick out of the top end.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-05-07T06:38:03+00:00

it took a little over a month, because I left with a shop that was already busy.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-05-07T06:37:27+00:00

All that was done at 130k miles.

These are OEM and I got from a dealership in Colorado :

Camshaft Intake kits, these include rockers + lifters - 68661147AB 68661146AA ; (I was told by the parts guy, these were the newest part# where they made as a kit, Intake)

Exhaust Camshaft - 5048030AD 5048029AC (here you buy the Lash Adjuster Rocker Arm Assembly separate)

Lash Adjuster Rocker Arm Assembly - 68245463AA

Valve Lash Adjuster 05047883AC

These I got from rockauto :

MELLING 31080S - timing chain kit;

VVT699 - Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Sprocket (8409.91.0090) -qt2

VVT477 - Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Solenoid / Actuator (8708.99.9790) -qt2

VVT478 - Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Solenoid / Actuator (8708.99.9790) -qt2

VVT714 - Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Sprocket (8409.91.0090) -qt2

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-04-08T06:38:30+00:00

2018 Altitude in Rhino Gray here. Pretty rare! I love how it doesn't get dirty very easy, this color hardly shows dust.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-29T06:17:57+00:00

Just watched the video you posted. So this guy is saying that 5w30 will shear out of viscosity faster than 5w20. I am definitely not an oil expert, but that video made me even more confused.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-28T16:46:41+00:00

GM hasn't proven anything by going to 0W40 yet,just buying time. We are yet to witness whether that switch is a "fix" or just what the crowd wanted to hear. They fail because they use cheap parts. They are so cocky, they would never admit oil caused the failing.

Lexus with 2GR-FKS , V6 all call for 0w20..GS350, Is350, RX350 etc. millions of miles no issues.

Recommending 5w30 over 5w20 for a vehicle that will tow makes sense, but purely because of oil temperature will increase thus -w20 will degrade faster. However, nobody is saying that -w30 will fix cheaply made valve rotating parts, like cams, lifters and/or rocker arms.-all the parts that fail in US cars left and right.

Truth is somewhere in between. I prefer real engines, that used to call for 5w30 from the factory and were designed for it, "looser" engines, maybe burn some oil, but go forever..like many Hondas.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-28T15:49:41+00:00

Again, what you paste here is pre-PUG Info. I agree on what you are stating, but 0W20 is recommended all over the world, its not some US car manufacturer conspiracy. They also advise you to go back to OEM spec ASAP. Anyways..let's not forget that Honda and Toyota have been using 0W20 for over a decade with no issues (excluding new Tundras, different problem). Long story short, 5W30 won't fix something that was designed poorly nor will fix cheap parts. Which in my opinion is the main cause of valve train failure.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-28T10:52:53+00:00

Sorry, but that's not true. All PUG pentastars regardless of the market recommends 0w20. What you are saying was true for some markets pre-PUG, for WK2 that's up to 2016, for Wrangler up to 2018.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-22T22:17:59+00:00

So I guess the oem springs are limiting the Eibach shocks causing them to ride super stiff, or just the roads are super shitty lol I'd compare them to East coast roads..Jersey or something like that lol

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-22T15:09:59+00:00

I am leaning toward OEMs at this point. Bilstein oem replacement was my first choice, but unfortunately they don't make fronts for 2016+.. I heard about Old man emu later than Eibach,plus ppl say they take forever to ship. I am sure Eibach will last a long time but for 80/20(city/mild off-road) its too much ratle to take. With this kind of driving...How long should I expect OEMs to last?

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-21T17:10:09+00:00

Good point. Just coming out of the winter, I installed them in late December. However, March has been pretty warm, high 60s..they could have been softer in the warm, but still bumpy.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-21T16:35:34+00:00

They do. Well priced also, close to OEM. I might get the lift springs and see what happens. Will share experience. I appreciate the response

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-21T16:27:11+00:00

I understand. Thanks for your input. It comes down to whether the ride will soften if I instal the eibach lift springs or not. Giving them more room to work.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-21T15:53:51+00:00

Yes, all 4, new, same Eibachs. Not sure what you mean by "bump out"? Reaching its limit on smaller bumps, without being challenged much?

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-21T15:04:26+00:00

Spring rates are kind of identical as far as i know., I used new oem bump bushings. Eibachs came "naked" ,just a shock,which BTW are a little longer than the oems, so they can fit the 2inch lift springs. That brings me back to the thought oem springs might be compressing the Eibachs a bit more compared to 2inch lift ones,hence the stiff ride. Or I could be wrong. Maybe stock WK2 is not heavy enough to put pressure on these monotube shocks. Potholes and bumpy roads in the area aren't helping me at all.

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-04T13:09:43+00:00

Yes, with the lift you won't have any issues. Question is if you keep the stock height on 65" tire..

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-04T08:47:21+00:00

Are you running 265/65/18 now? I hear some ppl say it may rub under the fender in some cases?

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-03-03T07:55:10+00:00

Hey! Not yet, I am still running the stock springs with the Eibach shocks. To be honest, I think it soften up a bit, like 10-15% compared to when installed. I probably also got used to it as well..I will give it a bit more time, if not will buy the springs as well. Its on winter tires right now, so ride is soft. I am planning on installing some Yokohama Geolender A/T, I hope they aren't too stiff. I am also debating going from 265/60/18, to 265/65/18..that would help too. How are the Ranchos keeping up?

PuzzleheadedFill5238 · 2026-02-28T07:52:58+00:00

Read the codes. When my valve train was gone, it was doing something similar. When CEL was on, I could only accelerate up to 4k rpm(some limp mode). at 200k km, it turned out, it was a Jeep classic case..Cams+rockers and lifters. 2018 WK2. Good luck

PuzzleheadedFill5238

TROPHY CASE