2020 2.0l knocking

[Otterspace]

I know this turbo engine is famous for complaints of knocking when cold and I've read the threads on it, but it seems there aren't any answers why it's knocking. My 2020 with 70k miles is ridiculously loud and doesn't really go away unless I drive for 30+ minutes. While there doesn't seem to be much of an answer to why it's doing this, let me pose the question a bit differently.

When I start the engine in the garage, which is currently about 40 degrees F, it starts and idles very nicely with no sign of any knocking. The second I put it in reverse (or drive if I'm already out of the garage) it starts with the famous noisy knocking. It's embarrassingly loud and definitely sounds like something is wrong. So the question is: what changes in the engine when I put it in drive or reverse? Valve timing? Oil pressure? Could it be a load on the crank changes and it's piston slap? Just struggling as I don't like the sound and can't accept that this noise is normal. It wasn't happening when we got it. Any suggestions are welcome. Just don't say "I'm not going to say it's aliens, but it's aliens".

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[gl420]

Are you aware of any oil residue in the rear main seal area or on either side of your engine block if you look up from underneath?

I never got around to resolving it, but I noticed I had a leak somewhere that would end up pooling by the rear main seal area and the knock would be exactly as you described and got worse with higher mileage.

Also, it seemed to get quieter after oil changes but would come back about 2-3k miles later. I tried shortening my intervals from 8k to 7k to 6k then 5k and it always came earlier each time.

I would also get a rough 2-3 second grinding-type sound on start which behaved the same in regards to oil changes.

From reading other people's attempts of getting this resolved on the forums here, some successfully, it seems like one person had it fixed with a timing chain tensioner and another one got a whole new block.

It seemed like they also have some kind of non-dripping leak associated with it, either from the upper oil pan, air-oil separator, oil cooler, or some sensor bushings on the block....but not every time if I recall correctly.

I recommend finding and reading through the threads here, there's some insight that might point you in the right direction. You can probably find a bunch of them in the Similar Threads section below this.

 

[Otterspace]

Thanks gl420. I've read all the threads I can find. I'll check out a possible leak. I do have timing chain rattle when cold and decelerating at low speeds but it doesn't sound like it's bad enough to do something about. Maybe I'm wrong in that assumption. I'm changing the oil today. Oil life is at 35% but I like to change it earlier than recommended. Oil seems dirtier than it should be. I'm going to see if there's some "forbidden glitter" in the oil.

 

[gl420]

Definitely good to change it early!

I sent the oil away for lab testing on the last oil change I did, but haven't gotten the results back yet. I'll update here though if I ever hear back from the lab.

 

[Heimkehr]

I'm not going to say it's alie....

Er, sorry.

From new, the 2.0T in my JLU has sounded mechanically busy, so to speak, during cold starts. It settles down into a lower idle speed soon enough, depending on ambient temperature.

Know that the engine sounds heard during such cold starts have on occasion been misinterpreted or mispresented as "knocking", which was subsequently confirmed to not actually be occurring when the owner posted a video that allowed us to hear what he thought he was hearing.

That's not to say that damaging knocking can't or doesn't occur, but it's helpful for experienced ears to be given an opportunity to listen and comment.

What's interesting is that when fully warmed up and idling, the 2.0T is easily one of the quietest engines that I've owned.

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Yes, as a forced induction engine with GDI, these engines do benefit from recurrent oil & filter changes that are based on mileage, and not via the Oil Life Indicator dashboard display. I use 5K intervals, and have sent a used oil sample to Blackstone for analysis after every fluid change interval. The report numbers have always been good. Just a suggestion.

 

[Koolkarguy]

I know this turbo engine is famous for complaints of knocking when cold and I've read the threads on it, but it seems there aren't any answers why it's knocking. My 2020 with 70k miles is ridiculously loud and doesn't really go away unless I drive for 30+ minutes. While there doesn't seem to be much of an answer to why it's doing this, let me pose the question a bit differently.

When I start the engine in the garage, which is currently about 40 degrees F, it starts and idles very nicely with no sign of any knocking. The second I put it in reverse (or drive if I'm already out of the garage) it starts with the famous noisy knocking. It's embarrassingly loud and definitely sounds like something is wrong. So the question is: what changes in the engine when I put it in drive or reverse? Valve timing? Oil pressure? Could it be a load on the crank changes and it's piston slap? Just struggling as I don't like the sound and can't accept that this noise is normal. It wasn't happening when we got it. Any suggestions are welcome. Just don't say "I'm not going to say it's aliens, but it's aliens".

As a dealer I've been watching resale drop on the 2.0 and numerous ones showing up at auction. All the Jeep dealers I do business with wholesale everyone they trade for so theres something going with them for sure

 

[Bandit59]

I know this turbo engine is famous for complaints of knocking when cold and I've read the threads on it, but it seems there aren't any answers why it's knocking. My 2020 with 70k miles is ridiculously loud and doesn't really go away unless I drive for 30+ minutes. While there doesn't seem to be much of an answer to why it's doing this, let me pose the question a bit differently.

When I start the engine in the garage, which is currently about 40 degrees F, it starts and idles very nicely with no sign of any knocking. The second I put it in reverse (or drive if I'm already out of the garage) it starts with the famous noisy knocking. It's embarrassingly loud and definitely sounds like something is wrong. So the question is: what changes in the engine when I put it in drive or reverse? Valve timing? Oil pressure? Could it be a load on the crank changes and it's piston slap? Just struggling as I don't like the sound and can't accept that this noise is normal. It wasn't happening when we got it. Any suggestions are welcome. Just don't say "I'm not going to say it's aliens, but it's aliens".

I had the 2.0 turbo in a 4xe. I thought it was loud. Did not keep the 4xe because of problems. Got a 3.6 quieter zero problems very satisfied. It is still somewhat loud at full acceleration.

 

[Otterspace]

Update: A local shop found that the VVT sprockets prematurely failed. They're replacing chains, sprockets, guides, tensioner, etc. What I originally thought could be lifter noise / failure was the VVT sprocket failing. Good thing I have an extended warranty. This work is close to $5000.

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

Update: A local shop found that the VVT sprockets prematurely failed. They're replacing chains, sprockets, guides, tensioner, etc. What I originally thought could be lifter noise / failure was the VVT sprocket failing. Good thing I have an extended warranty. This work is close to $5000.

Geez…at only 70,000 miles. My 2.0 has always been noisy the first few miles after a cold start, almost to the point of concern. It always quiets up after a bit however. Stories like your’s concern me about this engine. I still have 15 months on my 5 year drivetrain warranty. I suspect by this time next year I’ll be making a decision.

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