possible problems with some 3.6 pentastar engines
#41
You have to sit back and take this into perspective; Chrysler surpassed 1 million Pentastar 3.6L engines this past January. Do you think they know how many of these engines may or may not be at fault? I'm sure people are wondering why they don't do a total recall. If you consider a ball park figure of $2,000.00 for a head replacement. If they did a total recall and had to replace half of the heads on this engine; that's a BILLION, with a "B", dollars.
Many of these engines are in a lot of different models throughout the entire world. Some of these engines may not have made it into a vehicle yet and are still in storage waiting to be mated to a freshly built Mopar product.
Many of these engines are in a lot of different models throughout the entire world. Some of these engines may not have made it into a vehicle yet and are still in storage waiting to be mated to a freshly built Mopar product.
Chrysler / Jeep engineering just can't execute like they did in the past... not sure why, maybe they've laid-off the older engineers and resorted to hiring interns to design new products. This is a huge miss in my opinion and will take a couple years of engineering changes to remedy.
.02
#42
#45
JK Enthusiast
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My build date is 12/11, it was smooth and quiet until first oil change(3005 miles) . It started ticking after that. Enough to make me check and see if they put enough oil in it. Oil looked good. This was done at the dealership, twice so far now with 7500 miles. Ticking has stayed constant.
#46
They started production on these motors in Satillo, Mexico in January 2011, with several startup issues. As the plant ramped-up inventory from March 2011 through August 2011, for 2012 MY production and assembly, they found significant problems with the 3.6L engines, which led to dismissing the head of Chrysler Mexico.
Here's a quote from Allpar news:
My question is how many "thousands" actually made it into vehicles?... I think these problem engines are in sold vehicles and now are surfacing in need of repair. Sorry Chrysler, you don't turn quality around in a poor performing plant in less than a year. By January 27, 2012, one million Pentastar engines had been made... I wonder how many of those were manufactured and assembled in the Satillo, Mexico plant?
This is the reason I will wait this out for another year...
.
Here's a quote from Allpar news:
October 14, 2011 update
Sources say that thousands of engines, including over 500 which were recalled, were built in Mexico using improperly maintained equipment; these engines are being repaired or replaced entirely. This is said to be the reason for shutting down the Windsor minivan plant despite a backlog of orders. The former head of Chrysler Mexico was dismissed shortly after this. This does show that Chrysler cares enough about quality to stop those engines from reaching customers, at great cost. It might also tip the balance to install a new engine assembly line at Trenton North; a cam line was already installed there after a Mexican supplier was unable to provide the needed quantities.
Sources say that thousands of engines, including over 500 which were recalled, were built in Mexico using improperly maintained equipment; these engines are being repaired or replaced entirely. This is said to be the reason for shutting down the Windsor minivan plant despite a backlog of orders. The former head of Chrysler Mexico was dismissed shortly after this. This does show that Chrysler cares enough about quality to stop those engines from reaching customers, at great cost. It might also tip the balance to install a new engine assembly line at Trenton North; a cam line was already installed there after a Mexican supplier was unable to provide the needed quantities.
My question is how many "thousands" actually made it into vehicles?... I think these problem engines are in sold vehicles and now are surfacing in need of repair. Sorry Chrysler, you don't turn quality around in a poor performing plant in less than a year. By January 27, 2012, one million Pentastar engines had been made... I wonder how many of those were manufactured and assembled in the Satillo, Mexico plant?
This is the reason I will wait this out for another year...
.
Last edited by m998dna; 04-29-2012 at 08:29 PM.
#47
JK Freak
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check your window sticker....all wrangler 3.6 are U.S. origin, not Mexico. The Mexico engines are going in Cherokee and Chrysler 300..etc. Check a Chrysler window sticker...Engine:MX
#48
Allpar March 27, 2011 update.
Direct injection 3.2 liter engine production is reportedly coming close, and should be centered in Trenton, with Mexico producing most of the 3.6 liter engines. The 3.2 is planned as a more economical variant for many vehicles, and possibly the only Liberty V6. It appears that each plant will run both engines. We will start running pre production parts shortly. I am not sure when actual production will launch but but the build ratio will be 80% of the 3.2s are to be built at Trenton with 80% of the 3.6 in Satillo. We are going to start stock piling some crankshafts this weekend so that we have them to use when the two new machines are being installed in the rough end of the crankshaft line, probably by May.
Direct injection 3.2 liter engine production is reportedly coming close, and should be centered in Trenton, with Mexico producing most of the 3.6 liter engines. The 3.2 is planned as a more economical variant for many vehicles, and possibly the only Liberty V6. It appears that each plant will run both engines. We will start running pre production parts shortly. I am not sure when actual production will launch but but the build ratio will be 80% of the 3.2s are to be built at Trenton with 80% of the 3.6 in Satillo. We are going to start stock piling some crankshafts this weekend so that we have them to use when the two new machines are being installed in the rough end of the crankshaft line, probably by May.
Last edited by m998dna; 04-29-2012 at 11:00 PM.
#50
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
[QUOTE=Sunkist Rubi;2984535]Build date 1-12, 3520 miles, driver's side valve train ticking. I have a dealer appointment next week. I was told they will measure the lifter head bore but most likely will replace the lifter first. The service manager told me they need authorization from Chrysler to replace the head. If Chrysler finds nothing wrong with the assumed faulty head, which must be sent in for inspection; the dealer pays for it 100%.
Chrysler makes and sets the requirements. If the ticking still remains after the lifter replacement, I would believe the next course of action is a head replacement.
I have heard on another forum through a youtube video with sound and my down the street neighbor's brand new JKU engine in operation, there is absolutely no ticking; it is very quiet.
why are they saying lifters need replacement it is an ohc engine and has followers or tappets that are acted on directly by the cam which in turn opens the valves . also what lifter bore are they referring to ? someone educate me is it an oil supply bore or gallery ?
Chrysler makes and sets the requirements. If the ticking still remains after the lifter replacement, I would believe the next course of action is a head replacement.
I have heard on another forum through a youtube video with sound and my down the street neighbor's brand new JKU engine in operation, there is absolutely no ticking; it is very quiet.
why are they saying lifters need replacement it is an ohc engine and has followers or tappets that are acted on directly by the cam which in turn opens the valves . also what lifter bore are they referring to ? someone educate me is it an oil supply bore or gallery ?
Last edited by carolinajk; 04-29-2012 at 11:54 PM.