Please help.

[mjka3122]

So I took ownership of my Gladiator about 6 months ago. I’ve had it in the shop 4 times now for check engine light issues.
They first told me it was a fault in a fitting that Jeep recently changed on the 3.6. Oil was dripping onto the O2 sensor, which was telling the computer that the engine wasn’t getting enough air. After they replaced the sensor and fitting, the issue would go away.

Dealer called me today after I brought in for another check engine light and advised me that the catalytic converter needs replaced now. I have 8K miles on this truck.

This is what I need help with. I paid 51K for the Jeep and they are willing to give me 48K on a trade. I really like this truck and the options to replace what I have just aren’t out there. They have some on the lot but not anywhere close to the options I currently have.

Do I have them fix it and hope the problems are resolved or trade it in for something else. Worried I’m going to keep running into issues.
Thanks and sorry for being long winded.

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[jeepin48]

Are you still under warranty? Seems like a no brainer to just have them replace the converter and move on.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If they fix it and fix it right - you won't have major issues. Most of us never see even minor issues. Mine has been trouble-free for over a year now and I'm over 24,000 miles. I've never had a MIL (malfunction indicator light) or a misfire or rough running or unusual noises.

I would wonder about the oil on the O2 sensor though - fitting? A couple of people here have had VALVE COVERS replaced due to that exact issue.....

 

[hjdca]

Why did the CAT go out ? Was it defective ? Is it plugged up ? Is it getting oil and gas in it ? How is your oil consumption ? Does the engine burn oil ? Any smoke out the tail pipe ? Is there any ticking ? any piston slap when you get under the truck ? How does the tranny shift ? Any other issues ?

If everything else about the drivetrain is OK, then, get it fixed under warranty and move on.... If you perceive other major issues, then, ....... you know what to do...

 

[Fouts]

Fix it. If your not happy after that try somewhere else and probably get more money for it.

 

[Gren71]

Id just have them fix it. Its annoying for sure but if you love the truck, and cant get the same one brand new after a trade, then it seems to make sense to just have it fixed by the shop.

Ill share my experience. I had the second or third JT in my state in 2019 (real or not thats what I was told and it makes me smile) so im well in the brand new first gen territory for the JT. Ive had a hand ful of minor and two major repairs done. It can be frustrating for sure but how I see it is that the shop identified something on my behalf and will make the corrections. A solvable problem is one ill peruse a fix for, and having a shop willing and capable is a bonus.

 

[mjka3122]

If they fix it and fix it right - you won't have major issues. Most of us never see even minor issues. Mine has been trouble-free for over a year now and I'm over 24,000 miles. I've never had a MIL (malfunction indicator light) or a misfire or rough running or unusual noises.

I would wonder about the oil on the O2 sensor though - fitting? A couple of people here have had VALVE COVERS replaced due to that exact issue.....

it was the valve cover. Guy from dealership kept saying fitting but just checked work order and it was valve cover

 

[mjka3122]

Why did the CAT go out ? Was it defective ? Is it plugged up ? Is it getting oil and gas in it ? How is your oil consumption ? Does the engine burn oil ? Any smoke out the tail pipe ? Is there any ticking ? any piston slap when you get under the truck ? How does the tranny shift ? Any other issues ?

If everything else about the drivetrain is OK, then, get it fixed under warranty and move on.... If you perceive other major issues, then, ....... you know what to do...

They have told me Cat needs replaced do to being plugged up. No others issues have been experienced that you listed above.

 

[u-joint]

They have told me Cat needs replaced do to being plugged up. No others issues have been experienced that you listed above.

I'd ask them why a new vehicle's cat is plugged. The catalytic converter in most vehicles outlives the vehicle itself - so for this to fail, and fail so early, isn't a good sign.

Do you have any other dealerships in your area? I'd find one more competent.

 

[lrtexasman]

I would ask a free extended warranty from Jeep to cover you against repairs outside the manufactures warning.

 

[Fouts]

Is it possible they are just trying to get you to trade it in. Don't think I have ever heard of a catalytic converter going bad in less than 10K miles. Dont think I have ever heard of one being clogged less than 100K miles

 

[hjdca]

They have told me Cat needs replaced do to being plugged up. No others issues have been experienced that you listed above.

This is from a quick search on Google:

"When oil or antifreeze makes its way into your exhaust system creates a thick carbon and soot which coats and eventually clogs the air passages in the converter's ceramic honeycomb catalyst."

So, if it got clogged from Oil or Anti-freeze (head gasket?) then, there are other worries...

 

[Jimmij]

Have them fix it and keep it.

 

[sharpsicle]

So I took ownership of my Gladiator about 6 months ago. I’ve had it in the shop 4 times now for check engine light issues.
They first told me it was a fault in a fitting that Jeep recently changed on the 3.6. Oil was dripping onto the O2 sensor, which was telling the computer that the engine wasn’t getting enough air. After they replaced the sensor and fitting, the issue would go away.

Dealer called me today after I brought in for another check engine light and advised me that the catalytic converter needs replaced now. I have 8K miles on this truck.

This is what I need help with. I paid 51K for the Jeep and they are willing to give me 48K on a trade. I really like this truck and the options to replace what I have just aren’t out there. They have some on the lot but not anywhere close to the options I currently have.

Do I have them fix it and hope the problems are resolved or trade it in for something else. Worried I’m going to keep running into issues.
Thanks and sorry for being long winded.

Fix it. That's the easiest solution, and best part is it's free. Why contemplate spending more money when the warranty is there and available to you?

I'd ask them why a new vehicle's cat is plugged. The catalytic converter in most vehicles outlives the vehicle itself - so for this to fail, and fail so early, isn't a good sign.

Do you have any other dealerships in your area? I'd find one more competent.

This isn't really an incompetence thing. They likely won't know why, just that it is. These things can and do happen. It's a flaw, but that's why the warranty is there, to cover flaws. Asking them to try and explain it is a fruitless endeavor that will just frustrate them. Be nice to your service techs.

Let them fix it. If their diagnosis tells them the cat needs to be replaced, let them do it. No skin off your back.

 

[Captain Muskie]

I would have them fix .it i also had a bad experience and wondered if i should keep the Jeep. ended up waiting a month haveing the engine replaced but i am glad i kept it now. hard to replace a Jeep you already like especially now days

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