CEL & engine knock - and $746 hasn't fixed it

[JALC396]

Really don't have much of an update, but on the current tank of premium and Seafoam, there is LESS knocking but it's still there. Runs great other than the knock.

My next question is can I continue to drive it for another 2 weeks or so? We're helping out with our new grand baby in SC and headed to FL after Christmas. We are full-timers in our motorhome so it will be towed behind it to FL but we'll probably put a couple hundred more miles on it before we head south. I can't get an appointment in SC that will work with our schedule but once we get to Central FL I will have more options.

Baffled as to why an engine that has had regular service done without fail would have this kind of problem, especially one with a pretty solid reputation.

Have you had any luck with this issue?

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[Ellbee410]

As a matter of fact, yes.

Went to the shop today for an update. As suspected it is a rocker arm/camshaft problem and #5 cylinder is where the most damage is. Shaft has score marks and there are shavings.

As for the cause, the shop owner says it could be waiting too long to change oil (mine is always done before the dash oil life indicates) or using crappy oil (all oil changes up to this point have been done at a Jeep dealer or Valvoline shop so that's unlikely, but possible). He ordered the shaft and parts needed earlier this week and was told all parts were on national back order till February but to his surprise he got the camshaft delivered today. Remaining parts are SUPPOSED to ship on January 13.

He said his Father-in-law has a low mileage 2022 Gladiator and has the same problem but at least his is under warranty; mine not so much. Estimate right now is $1,500 which is better than I expected. He did recommend that I use synthetic oil from now on. I still would not expect an engine with 75K miles and regular service done to crap out like this but I guess I ain't special.

 

[mwilk012]

As a matter of fact, yes.

Went to the shop today for an update. As suspected it is a rocker arm/camshaft problem and #5 cylinder is where the most damage is. Shaft has score marks and there are shavings.

As for the cause, the shop owner says it could be waiting too long to change oil (mine is always done before the dash oil life indicates) or using crappy oil (all oil changes up to this point have been done at a Jeep dealer or Valvoline shop so that's unlikely, but possible). He ordered the shaft and parts needed earlier this week and was told all parts were on national back order till February but to his surprise he got the camshaft delivered today. Remaining parts are SUPPOSED to ship on January 13.

He said his Father-in-law has a low mileage 2022 Gladiator and has the same problem but at least his is under warranty; mine not so much. Estimate right now is $1,500 which is better than I expected. He did recommend that I use synthetic oil from now on. I still would not expect an engine with 75K miles and regular service done to crap out like this but I guess I ain't special.

Uh...are you not using synthetic oil? It calls for 0w20, which doesn’t come in conventional.

These failures don’t have to make sense, the rocker arm roller bearings are just terrible. That’s a good price on repair though.

 

[MSparks909]

Always ignore the oil life minder. Change it religiously every 5K miles with a good quality synthetic oil and you should be good. Sucks this happened with relatively low miles but it’s not unheard of on the 3.6.

 

[Ellbee410]

I don't have the ability to change my own oil - we live in our motorhome and no campground that I know of allows you to change oil at your site - so I have it done at shops all over the country which means that I am at their mercy.

I can pull all the receipts and double check but that's only a paper trail, not a guarantee that they used the right oil. IF they used the right oil at every change then I'm even more pissed that this has happened.

From now on, I'll have it changed at 5K - after a couple changes in quick succession after this repair is done to get the rest of the shavings.

 

[mwilk012]

I don't have the ability to change my own oil - we live in our motorhome and no campground that I know of allows you to change oil at your site - so I have it done at shops all over the country which means that I am at their mercy.

I can pull all the receipts and double check but that's only a paper trail, not a guarantee that they used the right oil. IF they used the right oil at every change then I'm even more pissed that this has happened.

From now on, I'll have it changed at 5K - after a couple changes in quick succession after this repair is done to get the rest of the shavings.

I wouldn’t doubt that it had the correct oil in it. These things happen. The rocker arms cost something like $3.

 

[AlgUSF]

I don't have the ability to change my own oil - we live in our motorhome and no campground that I know of allows you to change oil at your site - so I have it done at shops all over the country which means that I am at their mercy.

Luckily for a Jeep you don't need a jack, if you're physically able crawl under the Jeep and just drain, the fill takes just 3 minutes. I did a radiator on my wife's car (girlfriend at the time) in a public park behind a thicket of palm bushes.

 

[thecritter]

I have always done mine on past vehicles. It was nice to ask for the printout of milage and oil change intervals with full synthetic. All from the "Grease Monkey" shop ... actual name while still under warranty. The dealership went into oversized tire and bumper BS but jeep backed there product thank you @JeepCares. While not near as common on new 3.6 it still happens.

 

[JALC396]

I wouldn’t doubt that it had the correct oil in it. These things happen. The rocker arms cost something like $3.

Not for the JLs it's ridiculous lowest cost is 65 dollars a piece not including shipping

 

[mwilk012]

Not for the JLs it's ridiculous lowest cost is 65 dollars a piece not including shipping

On the intake triple roller type, yes. The exhaust is the same old design and they’re very cheap.

 

[mwilk012]

I don't have the ability to change my own oil - we live in our motorhome and no campground that I know of allows you to change oil at your site - so I have it done at shops all over the country which means that I am at their mercy.

I can pull all the receipts and double check but that's only a paper trail, not a guarantee that they used the right oil. IF they used the right oil at every change then I'm even more pissed that this has happened.

From now on, I'll have it changed at 5K - after a couple changes in quick succession after this repair is done to get the rest of the shavings.

Do you happen to have the camshaft or a picture of it by any chance? It would be nice to know if it was exhaust or intake that failed, for trend analysis.

 

[JALC396]

On the intake triple roller type, yes. The exhaust is the same old design and they’re very cheap.

I did not know that I was going to buy a couple before taking it apart to see which ones were gone i but I guess I should really take it apart and check first. Thank you for that info.

 

[Ellbee410]

Did get a shot...I am far from a car guy especially when it comes to the new-fangled contraptions so hopefully this will show what you're looking for

Do you happen to have the camshaft or a picture of it by any chance? It would be nice to know if it was exhaust or intake that failed, for trend analysis.

 

[mwilk012]

Did get a shot...I am far from a car guy especially when it comes to the new-fangled contraptions so hopefully this will show what you're looking for

Good god that’s bad. I hope they flushed a few gallons of oil or solvent through the block. Interesting that the newer type intake rocker is what failed, clearly on the primary roller bearing. Absolutely wrecked that cam lobe.

 

[Ellbee410]

A lackluster update. Talked to the shop twice this week and the rocker arms - the last missing parts of the puzzle - have still not shipped...near as they can tell. They were supposed to be sent a week ago and the shop has been trying to track them down without success. They're as pissed as I am - they would like their $$ and to get the Jeep out from in front of their shop but so far it'll be next week at the earliest. Swell, just swell.

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