I have an 04 LJ with the 4.0 (of course). Even though the manual indicates that it should hold six quarts of oil, 5 quarts puts it on the full mark. Since I bought this Jeep used I thought that maybe at some point the dipstick had been lost and replaced with the 4 cyl stick by mistake. I ordered a new dipstick from MoPar and it turned out to be identical to the one I already have. So, either this motor has a five qt oil pan - if there is such a thing- or I still have the incorrect dipstick.
Could someone please measure the overall length of their 4.0 dipstick and also the measurement from the bottom of the stick to the full mark? I don't want to run the motor at the incorrect level. BTW - the jeep was bone stock when I bought it and didn't appear to have spent any time off road, so I'm leaning towards the incorrect dip stick.
Rkirby,
Wow, talk about dejavu! We purchased an '03 Rubicon with 28,000 miles back in Thanksgiving of last year. I wanted to have a fresh oil change as, I did not know when the previous owner had changed it last. So, I cruised on down to my local AutoZone and, talked with the counter person about how much oil to get for my Rubi. He stated: "6 Quarts".
So, out the door with 6 quarts and, the required filter. Well, I drained it and, removed and installed the new filter. Then, I installed 5 quarts. I then checked the level with the dip stick. Well, just like yours, mine said, FULL! started the engine, ran it for about 2 minutes then, shut it down and let it sit for about 10 minutes. I pulled the dip stick and wiped it off and, re-inserted it to pull back out for a reading.
FULL! Hmmmmmm. What the heck???? I still had the sixth quart sitting on the work bench. I posted this dilemma on the Rubicon Owners Forum and, got all the same exact responses you're getting, PUT 6 in it and, go play. Well, I did exactly what you're doing and, that is, investigate what the hell is wrong with this picture? The owners manual says 6 quart capacity for the engine. I thought too that my dip stick maybe might have been changed by a previous owner, for some odd, outer-space reason.
So, I called a buddy over who has an '06 Rubi with of course, the same exact engine. We compared dip sticks. (that doesn't sound good!) Anyway, his was/is the same exact length and, the markings are in the same exact spot as mine. He's always put 6 quarts in his for an oil change.
Well, this has not answered ANYTHING! That was about 2-3 months ago and, there was quite a few answers on the post I did but, no one, could answer why I was having the issue. Our Jeep is running around with 5 quarts of oil in it and, is running like a top. I check it periodically and, it's still topped off, right at the full mark and, the 6 quart is still sitting in my garage cabinet.
As of yet, no one on this planet can answer what the problem is. It won't really do any good to go to the dealer, they'd just put 6 quarts in it, charge me and tell me to be on my way, over filled all the way.
Scott