2.0 Catastrophic failure at 90k

[Salts101]

My 2018 (Placed in service late April 2019)JLU 2.0 turbo self destructed at 90,550 miles recently. Almost immediately following a recall software update Y40, PMC and HCP updates, I had an Auto Stop/Start failure and Service Auto Stop/Start System message. The next day I get a check engine light with a P0344 code (Camshaft Position Sensor Intermittent - Bank 1 Sensor 1. The next day I get a complete engine failure with a revving and what sounded like a downshifting. No audible bang or anything but on a loud highway uphill after a river crossing everything died and I drifted to the shoulder. No click or response in an attempt to restart. Fortunately I was immediately towed on Mother's Day morning off the highway to the dealership. I should add that I had something related to or the position sensor replaced under warranty a year or two earlier with similar struggling idle behavior and code. When the dealership finally responded to me during my previously scheduled appointment, I was informed that I needed a new engine as the fourth piston apparently exploded and was found in several hundred pieces in my oil pan. This engine has been meticulously maintained with oil changes well before the intervals the engine calls for. The only explanation I can come up with is a combination of improper fuel mixture combined with turbo and pre-detonation or timing. This simply shouldn't happen. If timing or fuel intro is that far off shouldn't it go into limp mode? Any other ideas how this could happen

The dealership simply asks if I have an extended warranty, to which I reply that I shouldn't need one. This engine wasn't worn out, something failed. I could accept a single mechanical issue coincidence with the software update, but not three. Of course, the dealership claims the software update had nothing to do with the mechanical failure. Has anyone else had a catastrophic failure like this? Pic of my oil pan and the destroyed 4th piston. This is the piston closest to the firewall. Piston gone and the engine is seized.

This isn't right.

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[yokramer]

So you had codes, and issues, decided to go on a trip and in the middle of a water crossing the engine just exploded? Yea ok

 

[Heimkehr]

@Salts101
Sorry to read about the engine failure in your Jeep.

If you wouldn't mind providing a bit of add'l intel for context, please:

-As a fellow 2.0T owner, what's the definition of and need for the recall software update Y40, as well as the PMC and HCP updates? I've not received any mailings mentioning any of these things. Are they specific to a particular model year, perhaps?

-What was the depth and duration of the river crossing? Just wondering if there's any chance at all that hydrolock might've occurred.

 

[Remorseless]

-What was the depth and duration of the river crossing? Just wondering if there's any chance at all of hydrolock risk in play here.

This. Pistons don't just grenade, it takes considerable force to do cause such a grenadoodle. Ya know, like the force generated by a high compression engine attempting to compress water.

 

[Heimkehr]

Pistons don't just grenade, it takes considerable force to do cause such a grenadoodle...like the force generated by a high compression engine attempting to compress water.

I'll admit that I had the same thought when I saw the pile of pieces in the OP's oil pan. Still, it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[John VonJeep]

This. Pistons don't just grenade, it takes considerable force to do cause such a grenadoodle. Ya know, like the force generated by a high compression engine attempting to compress water.

Far out! It’s almost like water can’t be compressed!

 

[yokramer]

I'll admit that I had the same thought when I saw the pile of pieces in the OP's oil pan. Still, it doesn't hurt to ask.

Gotta be that emissions control related calibration

 

[C.Sco]

Everyone seems to be interpreting "river crossing" as water fording, but I don't think that's what they meant, the wording was:

on a loud highway uphill after a river crossing everything died and I drifted to the shoulder.​

​

I think they just meant they were driving on a normal highway, and went over a bridge that inclined/declined as it crossed over a river, and it died shortly after that.

 

[autotragic]

I don't know but this kind of thing is exactly why I bought a 8 year 100,000 mile extended warranty for my Jeep when I got it. Engine explodes at 90,000 miles, not my problem.

 

[Opus]

Everyone seems to be interpreting "river crossing" as water fording, but I don't think that's what they meant, the wording was:

on a loud highway uphill after a river crossing everything died and I drifted to the shoulder.​

​

I think they just meant they were driving on a normal highway, and went over a bridge that inclined/declined as it crossed over a river, and it died shortly after that.

Fair point.

 

[grimmjeeper]

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Yeah I'm with the naysayers.

I mean the second you had camshaft issues, you probably should have towed it to your dealership.

I don't know if negligence plays any part in warranty issues, but if it does...

 

[John VonJeep]

Everyone seems to be interpreting "river crossing" as water fording, but I don't think that's what they meant, the wording was:

on a loud highway uphill after a river crossing everything died and I drifted to the shoulder.​

​

I think they just meant they were driving on a normal highway, and went over a bridge that inclined/declined as it crossed over a river, and it died shortly after that.

Never heard of someone saying “after river crossing” when they meant “drove over a bridge.”

 

[Bulletbill]

Guess you’re regretting not getting the 3.6…

 

[autotragic]

Guess you’re regretting not getting the 3.6…

You know when they took him to the finance office and offered him that extended warranty while he was signing all the sales documents and he turned it down... Yeah about that...

Yeah I mean I turned down their extended warranty too because they wanted almost $4,000 and I got a much better deal through one of our forum sponsors but still. I had enough common sense to make sure I was covered.

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