Minivan Engines 3.3/3.8 vs Pentastar

We are looking to replace our 2006 Chrysler T&C with the 3.3L. It's been a good van as far as the drivetrain is concerned.

Looks like we can afford a 2009-2012 vintage van with roughly 70-90k miles. We'd keep it to around 180k miles.

My question has to do with engine reliability. The 3.3/3.8 is a known quantity, but the newer vans would have the Pentastar. I keep hearing about cylinder head issues and lifter/rocker issues.

Are these first years of the Pentastar to be avoided or are the issues overblown?

Also, it looks like some of the vans had a 4.0L. Is this a good engine or a stop gap unicorn?

Last, the transmissions seem like they've been good. Any transmissions we should avoid?

Thanks.

We were looking at nearly the same deal, our 2000 T&C with 3.8 is rusting away.
Seems all the newer designs have some glitches that are serious, we looked at a 2012 T&C, nice vehicle with 55K miles that had failed emissions already, assuming it has the head issue.
We passed and still squeezing the 2000 for a few more months.

As a side note some of the newer seats are terrible to sit in, like sitting on plywood compared to our old one.

I just traded an 07 in for a pos 2011 ram 1500. It was an awesome car. 175,000 miles ran like new-but was a rust bucket.

I have a 2014 as well. Almost 50k on it. No problems yet. I liked the 07 better. More comfortable to drive. The 3.8 will use oil

The 4.0 V6 is another variant of the 3.5 like the 3.2 from the late 90's/early 00's. Good engine but it does have a timing belt.

My 87 year old mother has a
2005 extended T&C
with the 3.3, electric doors, rear AC and Stow N Go seating.

Most of the time I have to look after it,
although I have two younger brothers with extensive machinery maintenance experience.

Wind abrasion has rubbed away the paint at the top of the rear lift door where there is that bump for the "Roofline Extension Spoiler"
and at the bottom of the rear door near the weatherstripping I have recently noticed some rust bubbles at the lower most metal seam.

What other maintenance items
should I try to stay ahead of?

I have seen other vans of about the same year
with rust at the upper wheel well edges,
and also rust at the bottom of the side sliding doors.
Should drain holes be drilled in specific places?

I have heard the rear AC lines may give trouble.

I have seen numerous single drips of oil on the garage floor,
about 2-3 feet rearward of the radiator.
These oil drips appear to have a red color
like trans fluid or pwr steering fluid
when you wipe them with a finger.

The 3.3 V6 has apparently internally burned up
about a quart of Mobil One 5W-20 engine oil every 2-3 months since new.
No sign of exterior leaks.

I am keeping track of the transmission Clutch Volume Indexes (CVI's) number changes with time.

The new Pentastar 3.6 is a very good engine. We have them in Postal vehicles and they are beat on hard. We have not had any problems with the engines or transmission at all.

The power is pretty impressive too, considering.

In Saturdays Wall Street Journal they have a review by Dan Neil of the $44,000 Chrysler Pacifica Plug In Hybrid van with an "Atkinson Cycle" version of the 3.6 V6. It is de-rated down to 248 HP/230 Ft-lbs Torque. In non-electric mode with the 3.6 and a stepless variable transmission it is rated 32 MPG EPA combined.

I think I am going to avoid the 4.0L due to the timing belt.
Good to know about the post office vans with the Pentastar.
I think I'd prefer the 3.3 or 3.8 because it's simple and reliable but if a good deal came up on the Pentastar, looks like it would be okay to go for it.

Thanks for the input.

Sample quote

For 2016, FCA released an updated version of the 3.6 L engine for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This engine now featured two-stage variable valve lift (VVL), a cooled EGR, a new intake manifold, new fuel injectors, and new coil packs. It also features upgrades to the variable valve timing (VVT) system, an increased compression ratio (11.3:1), lower internal friction and lower weight. The new engine also has MDS like the Hemi and will shut off two of its cylinders while driving and make it a v4 while cruising the freeway. These improvements help to increase power as well as efficiency.

Cooled exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) delivers greater efficiency and enables knock-free operation at higher, real-world loads

End quote

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/09/02/fca-pentastar-v6-2016-upgrades/

From what I remember we saw a few problems on the 3.3 in the first few years but then they seemed to be good. We had a few that broke one of the rocker stands on the rear head usually. Some would also come in with the rear rockers squeaking. What happened was the cam bearing that feeds oil to the rear head would turn and block oil from getting to the rear head and after a bit some broke a rocker stand. But I only remember seeing that in the first few years they were out and then not after that. Myself I have a 2003 Caravan wih the 3.3 and it has just over 100K with zero problems. Ron

Ron we had 2 in the shop with broken rocker stands.Seems they just broke.Had the 3.3 in my Concord.Bought new and scrapped at close to 200K.Still ran great and even sitting for say 6 or 8 months it alwasy started.Got great MPG also.Highway I averaged 28 to 31 all the time.Looking at a Journey now in the 10 to 12 range.Rocky