Welcome to the Forum!
I wouldn't replace anything, unless it needs it. But that is your call..........

 

That is a tough question, worn or failed rockers in a Pentastar engine get a lot of publicity on all Jeep forums and just about every other forum for other vehicles that use the engine. So yes there is a problem there that shows up in some engines.

That doesn't mean all engines go down this road any more than all of them loose the oil cooler and thermostat, both are original at 155k on my 13, no issues with them but I had to change the rockers.

If you do your own work on your engine so that it's only time and parts to fix an issue it comes down to how much it will bother you if you loose a rocker three months from now and can you spend the bucks right now to preempt an issue that may not occur. You are going to have the valve cover off and have the opportunity to see them and look for a loose one or cam wear but if it isn't making noise you probably will find no visible issues.

I do my own engine work and probably would not replace mine if I had to open it up if they had less than 75k on the new design ones I put in. If I was over 100k on that set it would be really on my mind but by the time I get over 100k on this set the engine will be 200k and then I will be thinking rebuild engine, replace engine, or repair engine. A well maintained pentastar should go 300k on the bottom end but the top end design is weaker so that will be a tough decision if it lasts that long and if I last that long.

 

I am coming up on 100K miles and my second spark plug change and I am pondering the same question. During this procedure I am going to check compression and if it is up to standards, meaning it will last another 100k miles I will tear it apart and replace lifters, camshafts maybe and the timing chain. I am not to worried about the timing chain itself but the chain tensioners. I just hate plastic things on an engine. If the compression is not good I am just going to get ready to put a new engine in.

 

It's a big job. Took me a weekend to change the oil cooler, PCV and valve cover gaskets. You might as well think about the oil pump/ solenoid, water pump while your elbows deep.

 

I wouldn't do it but I can tell you that I keep a full set of rockers and lifters stored in a mason jar filled with 5W-20 ready to go, a pair of valve cover gaskets and have two cheap Amazon cam tool kits ready too

 

Mineral or synthetic?

 

New member so thanks in advance for advice. 2015 jku, other than the oil cooler that was replaced under warranty and a wheel speed sensor and a cam sensor this thing has been utterly reliable so far for 120000 miles. Passenger valve cover started leaking (it’s not the oil cooler) so I’m going in to do that, pcv, and spark plugs in a few weeks when we get to spring break and I don’t have to drive for a week. Should Ireplace the rocker arms while I’m in there? I have no ticking but seems like it’s a good idea to put the updated rockers in. But also feels weird to fix something that isn’t broken.
Any thoughts are welcome.

Regarding making preemptive repairs on my 2015 JKU-Rubicon (~45,000 mi), I had my original, plastic oil filter housing replaced with the Dorman aluminum housing before any problem developed.
But the issue of the rockers is a little more costly -- instead, I've followed the practice of (1) upgrading my use of AmsOil (which I've used on all my cars since the late 1970's) from 5W-20 Signature Series to 5W-30; and (2) always, after the car has sit for a day or more, starting in the morning by first priming* my oil filter housing. I think that speeding up the oil pressure build-up may (I hope) extend the life of the rockers.

* by priming, I mean fully holding down the gas pedal when cranking, which makes the engine turn at cranking speeds for about 10 seconds without starting the car. I do this two times in a row, which (looking at the information screen set to display oil pressure) finally reveals during the second priming that oil pressure is finally achieved (there is still no oil pressure at the end of the first priming). Then, I start it normally. By this (my personal) rationale, the rockers during the priming with zero oil pressure rely on only some residual oil, but engine parts are only turning at a hundred or so rpm and because friction/wear is proportional to rpm, any wear is (hopefully) minimized.

 

I appreciate all the advice. I’m probably being overly cautious and hearing your perspective has been helpful. Have to open it up anyway to fix the valve cover leak so I’ll do a thorough inspection when I’m in there and if any are starting to fail I’ll replace them all at that point. To be honest on a more accessible engine I wouldn’t even be considering doing them early but from everything I have seen getting the passenger side valve cover off is a huge pain.

 

Welcome to the Forum!

 

Welcome to the forum.

Preemptive maintenence is good, especially on things that get replaced more often than expected.
If you're going to do it make sure to only use OEM or better quality.
Just because Autozone is handy and may have the pros in stock, doesn't mean they are better than what's in there now.
Jmho

 

IIABDFI

Do the whippersnappers use this acronym yet?

 

Naw! They don't fix anything. Just throw it away and buy a new one. Lol

 

Finally got in there this weekend and did not have to replace rockers. Cams were all good and no wiggle in any rockers. But the pcv valve is total pain in the ass and mine wasn’t even tight. Bolts were barely finger tight so I’m sure that where the leak was. But replaced gaskets while in there so hopefully it holds us. Just wanted to thank everyone for the advice.

 

the opposite. If it aint broke, fix it till it is........

 

I can fix just about anything till it don't work no more.