My wife's 2018 Stellantis Jeep Wrangler is 'a rolling piece of crap'!!! Along with all the normal Jeep characteristics like ride quality and steering, now we are told this thing now needs a new engine!
We took it in to check a P0303 engine fault code and the Auto Stop-Start fault and spent $425 getting service done just to have the mechanic make the fault code go away but also say that it might be an internal engine issue - and he doesn't do that kind of work. We drove it for a little bit (20 miles of city driving) the fault code came back and the knocking never went away. The engine knocks like crazy when pressing the accelerator - even just a little bit. This has been the problem since at least the first time the fault code showed up.
I thought it was detonation or pre-ignition but it sounded muted/different than pre-ignition I have heard before. A new mechanic we have the Jeep at said it is an internal engine problem in the bottom end. It has oil pressure and only makes the sound when pressing the accelerator, but even when pressing it a little bit - like any time the engine is not just coasting along but asked to make power it sounds like there are rocks in the engine.
Compression testing at mechanic showed all cylinders are OK. P0303 is still present.
Car has 70k miles, 3.6L V-6, ZF automatic transmission, lightly driven for 40k miles by wife. Oil changed at dealer since she bought it 40k miles ago. Replacement engine is $9,000 and I would expect to be just as crummy as the original! Besides, what used engine dealer can you trust the mileage with??
Is the noise from more/all cylinders? What could it be? Wrist pins? Loose piston/bore clearance?
Missing Link
What could it be?
Are you going to repair it?
Love the .jpg of Sylvester {blackemo}:laughtertotears:
Could be the main bearings of the crank, i assume?
A Jeep can be repaired at the roadside in Afganistan, so it will be a nice d.i.y. job.
After doing, you will have a topic to talk about at birthday partys 😀
Wife loves the Jeep but we have tried these methods, per an old CARtoons magazine:
1. Do it yourself - throw parts at it - a.k.a. "the parts cannon'
2. Hope it heals itself
3. The 'rev method'
4. Take it in and spend money on a mechanic (twice)
The final step, step 5, may be in order:
5. The 'shotgun method' where we shoot at it with a shotgun
Seriously, not sure where we go from here, we need some input from the mechanic and insurance first. I would advise the wife to repair it and dump it or just dump it now if costs are too high. Of the 4 AMC/Jeep cars I have had titles to in my life, 3 of 4 had major engine trouble - this being the 4th (and last).
I am curious of two things:
1. What it could be - does anyone have similar experience?
2. Does anyone have a copy of the CARtoons comic that had the methods of car repair strip in it? I saw it framed and hanging on a wall in an auto repair shop long ago. It was hilarious!
ML
You mentioned P0303. Check our FAQ about misfire and see if it helps
Well Jeep quality nowadays aren't what it used to be. That's why I tell people, if you want a Jeep, get the old ones they're much better made or if you really want an new modern ones lease it.
Wife has told the garage to replace the engine. The warranty company does not sound like it will cover much (of course), OMG, what a piece of junk.
OMG, what a piece of junk.
You're not pointing to the wife. I hope??? 😎
Car being repaired and the warranty is covering at least something. More to come on this end.
Mechanic says the cams are worn down.
Jeep is back at home as of last night. Replacement engine (used) installed. Extended warranty covered $7500 and we had to pay $1100. I cannot believe that they covered anything - I just don't trust extended warranties but hey, she took good care of the car, had dealer receipts, and the car shows no sign of neglect (she babies the dang thing).
Wife is cautiously optimistic. I suggested selling it which did not go over too well. I can't wait to drive it, with good cams and no engine faults, it should run much better!
The mechanic sent pictures of the cams and they are worn. Oddly, not all lobes were worn. Perhaps a heat-treating problem or maybe oil galley problem restricting flow to certain areas (maybe a casting or machining problem).
I suggested selling it which did not go over too well
😀 😀