Blown engine under 12K miles

[redrider]

"Operating Conditions can cause the change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles" From the manual. I never have liked those extended intervals and not saying it caused your troubles but most all driving is deemed to be high load and hard on oil. Only 2 so far. Shrug. That danged robotic bearing inserter is your culprit. Probably did it to protest lack of health insurance and other bennies given to the humans.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Not sure what changes have been done, but this is a GEN II 3.6 and not in millions of vehicles. Does seem isolated.

Bruce

Still in place since, what, about 2015? That's still many thousands of vehicles - including my wife's Grand Cherokee.

>>but most all driving is deemed to be high load and hard on oil. <<

Where'd that come from? I'm curious as that flies in the face of technology, testing and more. Most driving is light load and not hard on oil. Pulling a trailer, driving hilly ground, mountain driving, driving short drives, or in extreme heat - that's hard on oil.
Normal driving isn't hard on oil at all. In fact the best oils will indeed go way over 5,000 miles, as far as 10,000 miles with the right filter and normal conditions - meaning no trailer towing, no heavy loads in high heat, no SHORT drives (that's hard on everything, even exhaust systems).

I go 3,500 miles on the oil in my 94 WJ 4.0 in my Eagle and it's not even "filthy" looking, nor is the filter very heavy. (I change it that frequently as it's an old-school engine, ODB I, and not as highly controlled as modern engines)
My Chevy LS engine went 5,000 miles depending on conditions but I tended to work it harder.
I have no reservations about going 7,000 on these engines - I'd go 10 but want to use the free Jeep Wave changes.
If things get back to normal and I start pulling my trailer again, I'll change more often because I'll be running things hotter and harder, but normal driving is nothing at all for modern oils.
(I'm talking as a mechanic and engine builder)

 

[Cadpat7]

Not sure what changes have been done, but this is a GEN II 3.6 and not in millions of vehicles. Does seem isolated.

Bruce

Gen II 3.6 have ben around since 2016. Gen I were from 2010 to 2015 MY. Overall, Pentastar production reached 10 million milestone in February 2019 - so yeah the Gen II on the road count by million. To the engine itself, close to NO CHANGE for the Glad compared to others in the line-up.

 

[DAVECS1]

so I was looking for an obvious issue from under the truck sitting in the dealer's lot - thoughts?

Found the same spot no idea what it is

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Could be for a fixture while performing some process, lifting, manipulating engine or block at some point in manufacture or installation.
Since these engines are also used in Dodge cars and other Jeep products, it could be for some other accessory or some item associated with those other FCA products. Don't they use these in the small Ram trucks? These are not Gladiator-only engines, so it's pretty wide open.

I guess i'd not sweat it since it appears nothing has been bolted in place, there's no mark as if anything is missing or leaking. It's amazing even on blocks from the 60s and 70s you see similar machined holes - used in the production of the engine to align, or machine or assemble at some point.

If it wasn't late I'd go get some shots of the engines and blocks I have in my shop with obviously machined holes in them - but no reason for it as far as the owner is concerned.
So I use to help hold or secure the engine while working on it, or hold a block while boring it. Makes good clamping spots.

 

[MrZappo]

"Operating Conditions can cause the change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles" From the manual. I never have liked those extended intervals and not saying it caused your troubles but most all driving is deemed to be high load and hard on oil. Only 2 so far. Shrug. That danged robotic bearing inserter is your culprit. Probably did it to protest lack of health insurance and other bennies given to the humans.

Nothing here makes sense. Opinion backed up with nothing.

Most all driving is high load? Huh? Based on what?

 

[DAVECS1]

What would be super killer is if that is an oil port, I could hook an oil cooler to.

 

[Shootist]

I am having a hard time figuring out exactly where that is. But since one hole is plugged it is going into either the water jacket or oil gallery I would guess. So potentially oil feed and return for turbo application or a cooling feed and return for additional cooling? Just an educated guess but definitely an interesting find.

 

[andrew8404]

Yep, regular is 85 octane here in Colorado. It works just like 87 octane at this altitude. I've never heard any pinging at all from my Gladiator.

Modern, fuel injected engines have knock sensors. If the engine is experiencing detonating/pinging/knocking, the sensor will cause the ignition timing to retard and stop that problem. While anything is possible, I think it's unlikely it was a knocking problem.

If a rod comes through the block on a new engine, it is most likely an oiling problem.

My Gladiator has a no 85 picture on the gas lid. So not sure 85 is something you want to use regularly.

 

[RedTRex]

Found the same spot no idea what it is

Looks like an oil cooler boss

 

[cecaa850]

Maybe they had an old case of the original oil filters and used them by mistake.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My Gladiator has a no 85 picture on the gas lid. So not sure 85 is something you want to use regularly.

They specify 87 so I'd not put anything less in it. Otherwise they'd have "high altitude versions". The PCM compensates for altitude differences. MAP does that.
I'd leave 85 for legacy vehicles, personally, those tuned for high altitude.
If the book doesn't say "you can feel free to run 85 if you live above xxx feet", since they specify 87, I'd never run less, myself.

This is straight from the book - have an issue? Good luck arguing with 'em as they spell it out very plainly - your call, but this seems pretty black and white to me - use less than 87 you are on your own because you didn't take them seriously. But then everyone on the internet is an engineer better than those making these engines LOL.

--------------------FROM THE BOOK------------------

While operating on gasoline with an octane number of 87,
hearing a light knocking sound from the engine is not a cause
for concern. However, if the engine is heard making a heavy
knocking sound, see your dealer immediately.
Use of gasoline with an octane number lower than 87 can cause engine
failure and may void or not be covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Query - why is everyone so concerned about a machined hole that they obviously saw a reason for in the design, but no one can figure it out?

I know now I need to go out to my shop, uncover a bunch of engines, blocks and heads I have out there and get some photos and post and see if the members can figure out some of those areas.

This hole shown is obviously not hurting any engines, so why such a mystery?

IS there oil leaking out of that hole?
Is there wear or marking as if something was bolted there but is now missing?
Is there coolant seeping out?
Did the block crack there?

 

[DAVECS1]

I have no idea why the original post on the hole. I am now curious to investigate it for adding an auxiliary oil cooler. As my forced induction can use all the cooling help it can get

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have no idea why the original post on the hole. I am now curious to investigate it for adding an auxiliary oil cooler. As my forced induction can use all the cooling help it can get

How hot is the oil getting?
How much boost - these are open deck engines, prone to breaking with too much boost.

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