Emotional Damage - 3.6L Engine Knock/Tick

[Spank]

I didn’t mention Perkins. And the reason why I suggested Jeep dealerships for engine work is because the smaller shops will refer people with engine work to the Jeep dealerships anyways. Can you tell me one shop in the Colorado area that would be capable and knowledgable to work on engine repair? From your vast experience?

Literally any shop familiar with the Pentastar can do this repair. Cam and lifter replacement isn't some scary, nuanced job a skilled shop is afraid of.

I was encouraging someone to take it to the dealer because they have the equipment and expertise to deal with it. And they can give a guaranteed and viable diagnosis and if they do make a mistake, they won’t charge him again unlike smaller shops.

You have made 0 contributions to this thread

Your contribution was dealership or bust. Mine was it doesn't need to be towed out of Denver and it certainly doesn't have to be a dealership.

I get your point here for sure. I was going to a dealer regardless due to the work guarantee. You are correct I would not enjoy getting charged multiple times.

Well there, it's settled.

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[TyRoosevelt]

Literally any shop familiar with the Pentastar can do this repair. Cam and lifter replacement isn't some scary, nuanced job a skilled shop is afraid of.



Your contribution was dealership or bust. Mine was it doesn't need to be towed out of Denver and it certainly doesn't have to be a dealership.



Well there, it's settled.

Good Job not giving an example of a shop. Any shop is not an answer.

 

[scottiea11]

Good Job not giving an example of a shop. Any shop is not an answer.

Just got off the phone with Castle Rock and they would prefer a new engine. Shared videos they can’t confirm but do not believe it’s valve train. Seems like this is common fatal problem but I’ve never seen anyone post such a loud ass knock just the typical rocker tick so can’t gauge other experiences or fixes.

 

[TyRoosevelt]

Just got off the phone with Castle Rock and they would prefer a new engine. Shared videos they can’t confirm but do not believe it’s valve train. Seems like this is common fatal problem but I’ve never seen anyone post such a loud ass knock just the typical rocker tick so can’t gauge other experiences or fixes.

What do you mean they prefer a new engine?

 

[scottiea11]

What do you mean they prefer a new engine?

As in a whole assembly replacement. I didn’t ask specifics just wanted to talk to a manager and get an idea for time frame and worst case scenario after he reviewed the videos earlier. He said that it’s in a possibly worse state after driving a good 1500 miles to get to Denver as it’s uncertain when this issue actually started. Anyways, he wouldn’t know after his team completed tests and diagnostics.

 

[TyRoosevelt]

As in a whole assembly replacement. I didn’t ask specifics just wanted to talk to a manager and get an idea for time frame and worst case scenario after he reviewed the videos earlier. He said that it’s in a possibly worse state after driving a good 1500 miles to get to Denver as it’s uncertain when this issue actually started. Anyways, he wouldn’t know after his team completed tests and diagnostics.

That sucks man. Hope it all works out.

 

[scottiea11]

That sucks man. Hope it all works out.

Same, thanks for the responses. Fingers crossed I’m dying to get out on the trails such a bummer to get here and not be able to plan weekend trips.

 

[JeepCares]

I've just developed a knocking noise and it came in aggressively. I relocated from Texas to Denver, Colorado on a 4 day road trip. Passing through New Mexico I noticed a noise. After settling in and cruising around Denver I noticed something much louder and repetitive. Listen to the videos. Anyone know what might be going on here?

I've been able to replicate the issue by having my gf put it in Drive, engage the parking break, and step on the pedal to hit around 1500RPM. A loud knock results with the hood open but driving around it sounds like metal clanking really loud and fast but will stop once I pass 55mph or below 35mph. At idle and parked I can rev the engine with no knock at all. Also the engine is silent with no ticking noise like most videos I've seen. This Jeep is at around 100k miles now and prior had engine issues.

There are no CELs and no Engine Light but certainly noticed a slight loss in power where in Texas I was able to catchup with traffic on an 85mph highway easily. In Denver It seems to take longer and is in a higher gear at around 4th or 5th before hitting 50mph and slowly accelerates to 65mph.

Out of warranty, so does anyone recommend a dealer around the Denver area or a shop for diagnostics and repairs?

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[mwilk012]

That sounds very bad, I don't blame them for suggesting engine replacement, but you really never know what you might find until you get one in the bay and start taking it apart.

 

[Deleted Member RoadNomad]

Don't know where your at with all of this right now. A couple of things I would like to mention. Obviously the extent of the damage must be established first before anyone can make an off the cuff statement you need a new engine.

Here is something you can do on your own to get an idea, remove the canister oil filter and tear it apart checking for metal. If you find it to have a silver paste look to it or see pieces of metal more then likely the engine is mortally wounded and changing the camshaft and rockers will be a short lived fix.

Generally if you can catch the camshaft/rocker issue early on and have the parts replaced and a engine flush you might be lucky enough to get away with it. But the rub is the metal that is floating around the engine that makes its way into the other critical surfaces in the engine.

These metal deposits destroy rod and main bearing and will also get into the new rollers and on the lobes of the camshaft just to start the process all over again. From the sound of things and your description if I had to make an off the wall assessment with the facts you presented, the video, noise, lack of power and mileage on the engine my guess is the engine is toast.

If you are seriously considering keeping your JL for the long term plan to pony up for a new engine, or better yet have an LS or Hemi retrofit. It will be a little more but you will never have this problem again. When I had my JLUR I did everything in my power to protect the 3.6 but resided to the fact if it did crap out I would not invest any money in the 3.6.

My best to you, its so sad that many 3.6 owners are having to go thru these problems.

 

[Blues Fan 30]

Sounds like it's time for an LS swap HAHA!

All jokes aside I legit read an article yesterday about the 3.6 being one of the most hated engines and it went on to talk about exactly what you are experiencing. Talked about replacing the roller bearings or rocker arms or something like that and fixing the issue. Said they tore the engine apart multiple times before realizing it as they didnt initially appear bad but were.

 

[scottiea11]

Don't know where your at with all of this right now. A couple of things I would like to mention. Obviously the extent of the damage must be established first before anyone can make an off the cuff statement you need a new engine.

Here is something you can do on your own to get an idea, remove the canister oil filter and tear it apart checking for metal. If you find it to have a silver paste look to it or see pieces of metal more then likely the engine is mortally wounded and changing the camshaft and rockers will be a short lived fix.

Generally if you can catch the camshaft/rocker issue early on and have the parts replaced and a engine flush you might be lucky enough to get away with it. But the rub is the metal that is floating around the engine that makes its way into the other critical surfaces in the engine.

These metal deposits destroy rod and main bearing and will also get into the new rollers and on the lobes of the camshaft just to start the process all over again. From the sound of things and your description if I had to make an off the wall assessment with the facts you presented, the video, noise, lack of power and mileage on the engine my guess is the engine is toast.

If you are seriously considering keeping your JL for the long term plan to pony up for a new engine, or better yet have an LS or Hemi retrofit. It will be a little more but you will never have this problem again. When I had my JLUR I did everything in my power to protect the 3.6 but resided to the fact if it did crap out I would not invest any money in the 3.6.

My best to you, its so sad that many 3.6 owners are having to go thru these problems.

Exactly, my thoughts on the LS but at the moment I've weighed selling as is. Im certain a dealer can fix/mask and move it to someone (sadly). The efforts to protect and ensure everything is maintained is an understatement. So a little annoyed but rolling with the punches I foresee many more jeeps in the future.

 

[scottiea11]

Sounds like it's time for an LS swap HAHA!

All jokes aside I legit read an article yesterday about the 3.6 being one of the most hated engines and it went on to talk about exactly what you are experiencing. Talked about replacing the roller bearings or rocker arms or something like that and fixing the issue. Said they tore the engine apart multiple times before realizing it as they didnt initially appear bad but were.

Bring the jokes! 3.6 started the show, I need the fun side of this comedy lol. I've read the same! It maybe a simple fix but maybe a new engine and if it resorts to that I'm going to run the engine to the ground and replace with an LS or sell to the dealer.

 

[alphawolff]

Sounds like it's time for an LS swap HAHA!

All jokes aside I legit read an article yesterday about the 3.6 being one of the most hated engines and it went on to talk about exactly what you are experiencing. Talked about replacing the roller bearings or rocker arms or something like that and fixing the issue. Said they tore the engine apart multiple times before realizing it as they didnt initially appear bad but were.

As a dealer tech I loved the old 3.6L immensely. Incredibly easy and straight forward to work on. I could do rocker arm replacements in under an hour routinely. Oil filter adapter gaskets in 40 minutes or so, or like 25 minutes on a charger/challenger/300. Printed $ out of thin air on those jobs, even under warranty. The newer 3.6L that we have in the JL is a bit more annoying to deal with for sure, but they're still way preferable to the 2.0L. That shit's a nightmare.

If a shop is declining to do cams on this engine then they aren't a shop you should be taking your Jeep to. It indicates very little confidence in even the most basic engine work. You can even buy the special tool kit required for the complete repair off amazon for like $30 these days.

 

[Racerxray1]

What was the outcome of this scenario? I have a 2025 Wrangler (2400 miles) with the 3.6 and I get a knock after the Jeep transitions from the fast idle mode to normal idle mode only on cold starts (normally, the first engine start of the day). No more knocking after that. Dealership replaced the left side cams, rockers, cam phasers and other associated parts and it had no impact on the problem so back to the dealership the Jeep went. Contacted Jeep Cares and they are sending someone to the dealership to assist with diagnosing the issue.

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