Is that a diesel?

[Lochsa]

Purchased this 2024 Rubicon X in January of this year. The engine has never sounded completely "normal" to me and seems to have a lot of valve train noise. I am well aware of the valve train issues the Pentastar 3.6 can have. I had a 2014 Jeep Wrangler. When I was up in Oregon a few years back with about 60,000 miles, I heard the minute a rocker went bad. I had to drive about 500 miles home before I could do anything. Took it apart and found a rocker had just barely started to eat the cam. The rocker was on the rear passenger side, I replaced all of the rockers and lifters in the entire engine, the cam had only minor amount of wear. After that, it ran like a champ.
I just returned from a 3000 mile trip with my Gladiator through Idaho, Oregon, and Montana. Many people during the trip would ask when it was running " is that a diesel.?" I currently have 7500 miles on the vehicle, Mentally, I have been in a state of denial. How could this happen on a brand new engine? Then I remember this is a Stellantis product. Listened with a stethoscope and the tick appears coming from the passenger side front valve. Next, I will pull the oil filter and look for metal. I think I will also send for an oil analysis. I have a dealer appointment on the 22nd of July. I am not throwing codes as of yet. I wonder how long it takes to eat into the cam to the point misfires occur? IS VVT that much nosier than the valve trains in the pre-2016 Pentastars?
I attached a video of the noise the engine is making, also a glamour shot. Does it sound normal to you?
Thanks

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[Vtur]

It's either heat treatment or machining issue or both. I don't think it's a design issue.

 

[kb5zcr]

Congratulations, you did get a diesel, and didn't have to pay the premium for it.
Honestly, I hope they get it straightened out for you.

 

[Janster]

Thanks for the video…. I’ve never owned one of these motors before and wouldn’t know of any issues (unless it was a blatantly obvious ‘change’ from one day to the next) 2024 w/ 8k on it.
I’m here for the feedback…

 

[TinMan2020]

My 2023 makes a similar noise but only once it’s warm. I’ve been told by the dealer on four occasions either they don’t hear anything or it’s normal. I noticed it at 1,000 miles. No codes. Out of curiosity, when it’s cold crank it and see if the noise isn’t present until the oil temp reaches 160-180.

My dealer won’t touch mine until “codes are present.”

 

[VladtheGlad]

How sad. Good luck.

 

[MaximusTX]

Purchased this 2024 Rubicon X in January of this year. The engine has never sounded completely "normal" to me and seems to have a lot of valve train noise. I am well aware of the valve train issues the Pentastar 3.6 can have. I had a 2014 Jeep Wrangler. When I was up in Oregon a few years back with about 60,000 miles, I heard the minute a rocker went bad. I had to drive about 500 miles home before I could do anything. Took it apart and found a rocker had just barely started to eat the cam. The rocker was on the rear passenger side, I replaced all of the rockers and lifters in the entire engine, the cam had only minor amount of wear. After that, it ran like a champ.
I just returned from a 3000 mile trip with my Gladiator through Idaho, Oregon, and Montana. Many people during the trip would ask when it was running " is that a diesel.?" I currently have 7500 miles on the vehicle, Mentally, I have been in a state of denial. How could this happen on a brand new engine? Then I remember this is a Stellantis product. Listened with a stethoscope and the tick appears coming from the passenger side front valve. Next, I will pull the oil filter and look for metal. I think I will also send for an oil analysis. I have a dealer appointment on the 22nd of July. I am not throwing codes as of yet. I wonder how long it takes to eat into the cam to the point misfires occur? IS VVT that much nosier than the valve trains in the pre-2016 Pentastars?
I attached a video of the noise the engine is making, also a glamour shot. Does it sound normal to you?
Thanks

You should take a look at this thread seems like it might be the same issue.

another 3.6 /Stellantis horror story

 

[AustinKalb]

When I owned a piston airplane, I did an oil analysis with every oil change. The trend can tell you a lot about what’s going on inside. I’m thinking I probably should do the same with my Diesel Glady.

I usually sell out of extended warranty vehicles. Not this time. Too many unrecoverable mods.

 

[Lochsa]

Congratulations, you did get a diesel, and didn't have to pay the premium for it.
Honestly, I hope they get it straightened out for you.

But I didn't get the good MPGs of a diesel, this one has had a lot worse MPGs than I would have expected.

 

[Lochsa]

It's either heat treatment or machining issue or both. I don't think it's a design issue.

I suspect an oiling issue, maybe a blockage in a channel. Definitely an early failure.

 

[Lochsa]

My 2023 makes a similar noise but only once it’s warm. I’ve been told by the dealer on four occasions either they don’t hear anything or it’s normal. I noticed it at 1,000 miles. No codes. Out of curiosity, when it’s cold crank it and see if the noise isn’t present until the oil temp reaches 160-180.

My dealer won’t touch mine until “codes are present.”

The noise is present from start-up. I want to say it probably started at around 300-400 miles. If the dealership refuses to address the issue and gives me this is a normal sound BS, I will pay up front to have the valve cover removed and the cam inspected, If the cam is being eaten by the followers, the metal is going through out the engine and could cause a failure else where in the future. I had my JK for 12 years and know what a Pentastar sounds like. The sound coming from the engine is not normal. If by chance I am wrong, at least I will have peace of mind.

 

[Lochsa]

When I owned a piston airplane, I did an oil analysis with every oil change. The trend can tell you a lot about what’s going on inside. I’m thinking I probably should do the same with my Diesel Glady.

I usually sell out of extended warranty vehicles. Not this time. Too many unrecoverable mods.

Yea, I have about $9000 in mods, I really like the Gladiator for my purposes and want to keep it long term. Disappointing it seems to have issues so early on. Leaving for a trip, and now have to take a different vehicle. Love your set-up!

 

[Lochsa]

You should take a look at this thread seems like it might be the same issue.

another 3.6 /Stellantis horror story

I am taking it to the dealership so hopefully not as many issues. If I do run into issues, two phrases come to mind: Lawyer up, and lemon law.

 

[DanJT]

Sound like fuel injectors, mine does it as well. I thought the diesel fairies snuck one in mine!

 

[AustinKalb]

Yea, I have about $9000 in mods, I really like the Gladiator for my purposes and want to keep it long term. Disappointing it seems to have issues so early on. Leaving for a trip, and now have to take a different vehicle. Love your set-up!

Mine has massive electrical / computer problems. Twice already on this trip (So Cal to Hyder AK) all the warning lights illuminate at once and the truck goes into limp mode. I clear the codes and everything goes back to normal. I know it’s a glitch since none of the codes ever come back. It’s usually on a long uphill in hot weather, but all gauges are squarely middle of the green.

I’m not a giant Taser fan, but if not for a way to clear the codes the truck would utterly unusable!

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