2020 Rubicon needs new motor

[Steel24]

After 68,000 miles my gladiators engine started having a ticking noise. Sounded more like an exhaust leak to me. I had to wait almost 2 months to get it into the dealership. I got the phone call today from them telling me that the noise is from the bottom end of the engine and I’d need a new motor (over 11k$).
Will probably call around and try and find a motor shop to give me a second opinion. (Madison WI area if anyone knows of a good shop).
Truck drives and runs great. No burning oil and gas mileage is good (18mpg).
I’m trying to get a hold of the warranty department just to see if they can offer any help ( not holding my breath).
If anyone has dealt with this issue or has any advice I’d love to hear it.

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[BearDog]

Hemi time

 

[BearFootSam]

Bottom end huh? Any theory as to what the alleged cause is? I wouldn't expect a manufacturing defect at that mileage yet it's far too few miles to wear anything out down there. Did you have oil contamination or run it dry?

 

[Steel24]

I’m still waiting on a ride to the dealership to get my truck. I’m sure the person behind the counter will have a real detailed explanation for me…. Hopefully a competent mechanic will explain.
As far as the oil goes… it’s never burnt any oil, I’ve always done the oil changes myself (I’ve had 14 Jeeps) , and it’s levels have never moved off the dip sticks perfect mark.
Im curious if there is a good shop near me that wants to look at the problem and try and fix it. I’ve called one and he said finding parts for this motor might be difficult and back ordered then suggested I buy a used 30,xxx motor 9k total. I didn’t like that idea.

 

[Charles 236]

Bottom end issues in the Pentastar engines are incredibly rare. In the thirteen years that the Pentastar has been in production, I can only think of three cases where there was an actual problem with the bottom end at the Jeep dealership I work in. In another case, what the customer thought to be bottom end noise turned out to be a worn intake rocker arm and cam. So my question would be did your dealership actually tear it down to the point of failure? I would want the valve covers off first in order to see the condition of the cams and rockers, I have seen enough valvetrain problems to be suspicious of any diagnosis of bottom end noise.

 

[cranbiz]

I would be looking for another dealer for a second opinion. I can count on one hand the number of bottom end issues I have heard of on the Pentastar.

 

[ecidiego]

You can get a complete new takeoff engine assembly for like 3k.

 

[Benbean66]

I had the exact same situation happen to me, but mine was deemed "irreparable" at 41,700 miles. I had every oil change done at the dealer, and they replaced the entire engine under warranty. The service tech said it suffered from "multiple lower main bearing failure". I had noticed a knocking a few months prior and after 2 trips to the dealership, they finally set me up with their head mechanic, who (upon a short 5 minute test drive) said "that isn't good"...

 

[ecidiego]

https://www.rubitrux.com/mopar-take-off-engine-wrangler-jl-gladiator-jt.html


Free shipping. Dealer is probably charging 8k for the engine.

 

[Gvsukids]

In about the same boat as you with the mileage and year. Mine has a tick and is going in in 2 months. But I have a third party warranty that covers engine powertrain for life.

 

[Renegade]

In about the same boat as you with the mileage and year. Mine has a tick and is going in in 2 months. But I have a third party warranty that covers engine powertrain for life.

If it’s the Pentastar tick (and a single rocker arm), it’s literally $40 in parts and about 4 hours of labor if caught early. If it’s damaged the cam, that’s a different story. Like the others have said, I would get a second opinion.

 

[Steel24]

Got the dealership invoice.
“ Confirmed noise at 2500 rpm’s and up. Noise is not coming from the top of the engine but the lower end”
“Regardless of exact source of noise, it will not be repairable and requires a new motor” $11,200.

I know they don’t fix broken things and only replace parts.
That being said. Anyone know of a good shop to get a second opinion in the Madison WI area?

Thanks for all the replies so far.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Got the dealership invoice.
“ Confirmed noise at 2500 rpm’s and up. Noise is not coming from the top of the engine but the lower end”
“Regardless of exact source of noise, it will not be repairable and requires a new motor” $11,200.

I know they don’t fix broken things and only replace parts.
That being said. Anyone know of a good shop to get a second opinion in the Madison WI area?

Thanks for all the replies so far.

While rare, it's not impossible or unheard of. Stuff happens, even if you do everything right.
There's a such thing as malfunctions and stackup of tolerances, etc. Something could have gone wrong elsewhere and caused the issue. You don't know and anything else is guesswork which is what the internet is experts at.

Dealers do not generally do engine repairs like this - they'll replace engines but none are equipped for that sort of work. It's not cost effective for them. So no surprise.. but know that an engine shop that rebuilds and does GOOD work won't be far behind a dealership.
16 years ago when I did my 390 it was a 5K build and it's a simple V8 with easy to get parts.
They are talking more now.
In our cases there's remove and reinstall and all of the stuff that goes with a modern electronic 4x4 system.

You can go rebuilt/reman, you can go used, whatever.

 

[Viper501]

https://www.rubitrux.com/mopar-take-off-engine-wrangler-jl-gladiator-jt.html


Free shipping. Dealer is probably charging 8k for the engine.

Beat me to it.

 

[DAVECS2]

if it is truly knocking chances are the cams have worn flast and that metal has reN through your engine making tolerances bigger. Your oil was changed often, uou may be ok and the intake cams and high lift solenoids need changed out. I have a thread on here about it. Super easy to spot when u take off a valve cover

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