Another Cam bites the dust...

[Lochsa]

2024 Gladiator Rubicon X built September of 2024, purchased new in January 2025. Engine sounded noisy from the get go. Went on a month long trip in remote areas in May and June of this year. Engine sound worsened, almost like a diesel. Came home with about 7900 miles on the odometer. Had to park it because I was heading back out, so luckily had another vehicle to use. Cut the filter open before taking it to the dealer on Tuesday this week. Two days later the dealer had the passenger side valve cover off. The failure is the follower on cylinder number one. Since the cam is still installed, it was tough to see if there was damage elsewhere. The dealer noted weeks before parts come in. Went to a dealer who is about 15 miles from this dealer and they have one right bank cam kit in stock, also 10 brand new engines. They would not sell the cam kit to the other dealer, but would sell it to me. At this point, with all of the silver fairy dust in the engine, I am going to push for a new engine. Will post up to see how this goes.

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[DanW]

Sorry to hear that. What about having the work just done at the other dealer and cut out the middle man? (you)

Sorry to hear you had to deal with this. Hopefully they will get you fixed up better than new sooner rather than later.

Keep us posted!

 

[hayduke-TX]

Another failure example of the post Aug 2024 build date.

 

[Old Dogger]

Another failure example of the post Aug 2024 build date.

Yep, not a good sign that the issue has been rectified. But the build date was with-in about a month of the update. Maybe they just missed a few............

 

[Chasm]

Thanks for the video! I was wondering what noise to listen for, now I know. Typewriter.

 

[BLJ]

2024 Gladiator Rubicon X built September of 2024, purchased new in January 2025. Engine sounded noisy from the get go. Went on a month long trip in remote areas in May and June of this year. Engine sound worsened, almost like a diesel. Came home with about 7900 miles on the odometer. Had to park it because I was heading back out, so luckily had another vehicle to use. Cut the filter open before taking it to the dealer on Tuesday this week. Two days later the dealer had the passenger side valve cover off. The failure is the follower on cylinder number one. Since the cam is still installed, it was tough to see if there was damage elsewhere. The dealer noted weeks before parts come in. Went to a dealer who is about 15 miles from this dealer and they have one right bank cam kit in stock, also 10 brand new engines. They would not sell the cam kit to the other dealer, but would sell it to me. At this point, with all of the silver fairy dust in the engine, I am going to push for a new engine. Will post up to see how this goes.

sorry to hear. I have a 24 Rub X built in May 24 bought it in Sept 24. Was the engine from Mexico or US? Mine is listed as Mexico and my Rub X Wrangler is US. Just curious.

 

[Lochsa]

sorry to hear. I have a 24 Rub X built in May 24 bought it in Sept 24. Was the engine from Mexico or US? Mine is listed as Mexico and my Rub X Wrangler is US. Just curious.

Yea this is a hassle and a disappointment. My 2014 JK at least made it to 60K before a rocker arm seized. The engine and transmission on the 2024 Gladiator were both made in the USA as per the Monroney sticker.

 

[Zachanadandy]

There's a theory floating around about this engine needing higher rpms regularly to avoid cam issues especially with the 2 stage oil pump. The idea is that trying to baby it too much is contributing to the failures. Did you drive it hard regularly? My 2023 JTM and my wife's 2022 JLUR are both driven hard often on big tires and we haven't had issues with 70k+ miles between the 2. Small samples size but I figure I'd ask.

 

[Lochsa]

There's a theory floating around about this engine needing higher rpms regularly to avoid cam issues especially with the 2 stage oil pump. The idea is that trying to baby it too much is contributing to the failures. Did you drive it hard regularly? My 2023 JTM and my wife's 2022 JLUR are both driven hard often on big tires and we haven't had issues with 70k+ miles between the 2. Small samples size but I figure I'd ask.

Nope, babied it as per break-in instructions and after that used it for its intended purpose. Like you, I am in California so always going to the mountains and with the grades rpms are going to go up. When I was sure this was occurring, I was on a 45 day trip up in Idaho, Montana, and Oregon towing my 1500 lbs teardrop. Once I leave California, I am towing at 70 mph. During this trip, can't tell you how many mountains I crossed, but definitely up and down many grades. I really feel that I was sold a broken vehicle. The follower was probably screwed up from day one. When my 2014 JK went bad a few years back, I heard the moment the rocker gave out and drove 500 miles home and did the repair. The cam had very little material removed. This cam, on my 2024 Gladiator, had tons of material removed in comparison, in my opinion 7900 miles worth. It was not throwing codes at this point, but was not many miles from the point where the cam lobe would have been worn and the valves would not have been opening and closing as they should.

 

[JTGuy]

With all the cam failures noted here when do we move from a seldom issue to a more certain one? My '22 with 28K on it already has the trans issue and waiting for failure for repair. Don't want to add a cam to the list.

 

[Stan H]

@Lochsa
Factory oil ?
Oil changed during that 7900 miles ?
Type & brand ?
Oil pressures ?

 

[Zachanadandy]

With all the cam failures noted here when do we move from a seldom issue to a more certain one? My '22 with 28K on it already has the trans issue and waiting for failure for repair. Don't want to add a cam to the list.

I'd hardly call it a certainty. We've seen several low mileage failures but I'm pretty sure I've seen more guys post about going 60-80-100k+ miles without issue. It's something to keep an eye on at this point (or ear if you're more literal), but I wouldn't worry too much about it. I certainly won't be so worried that I go out and buy the parts waiting for it to happen or worry about using the Jeeps hard as we intended when we bought them.

 

[Mojave24]

sorry to hear. I have a 24 Rub X built in May 24 bought it in Sept 24. Was the engine from Mexico or US? Mine is listed as Mexico and my Rub X Wrangler is US. Just curious.

How can you tell where the engine is from?

 

[Stan H]

How can you tell where the engine is from?

Your Build sheet. CIN may also reveal this . Take VIN call dealer have em look it up.

 

[Lochsa]

Factory oil ?
Oil changed during that 7900 miles ?
Type & brand ?
Oil pressures ?

Factory oil changed at 1139 miles; another oil change done at 5141 miles as I was going on an extended trip; Oil used was Mobil 1 0w-20 as per manufacture recommendations. I did the oil changes myself. Oil pressures always looked fine.
Really feel my failure was due to a defective follower or some kind of installation issue.

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