Penstar recall
09-06-2012 | 05:25 PM
#61
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: clermont
I have a '12 JKUR and was avidly following the Pentastar tick thread that was shut down. I have opened another thread and hope to keep the discussion at a more mature (and informative) level.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-t...es-jks-244235/
Also, I have created a spreadsheet in Google Docs of the 2012 JK's who have developed the dreaded "tick" and are in need of or have had a head replacement. On the forums addressing this issue, it was becoming confusing to keep track of what issues have developed and what has been done to address those issues. In order to protect the privacy of forum members, member user names are not included in the spreadsheet. Also, I am the only one who is able to edit the spreadsheet. You can access it through a link in the above thread.
If you have any questions, comments or would just like your JK added to the data you can contact me via PM. Thank you.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-t...es-jks-244235/
Also, I have created a spreadsheet in Google Docs of the 2012 JK's who have developed the dreaded "tick" and are in need of or have had a head replacement. On the forums addressing this issue, it was becoming confusing to keep track of what issues have developed and what has been done to address those issues. In order to protect the privacy of forum members, member user names are not included in the spreadsheet. Also, I am the only one who is able to edit the spreadsheet. You can access it through a link in the above thread.
If you have any questions, comments or would just like your JK added to the data you can contact me via PM. Thank you.
09-07-2012 | 05:32 AM
#64
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
09-07-2012 | 05:49 AM
#65
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
This is interesting news seeing as if I also have a 2012. The only noise though or "tick" is when i'm going into 1st gear. (I hate that sound). Although I have encountered an electrical problem where my windshield wiper has acted on it's own accord. I purchased it in May and that is something that should not occur in under 4,000 miles. I'll be making a visit to my dealership about that issue.
09-07-2012 | 05:53 AM
#66
JK Freak
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by Gort
That's interesting to hear. In all the reading that I did on the Pentastar before I bought my 12, I read nothing about heads that were specific to the Wrangler. I did read about alternator relocation/reversal, but that was it, and I was under the impression that the heads were exactly the same design as the rest of the Pentastars in production.
Note that I'm not arguing with you -- I'm just asking for your source of information because I'm curious to find out more about the Pentastar in the Wrangler and whatever you're reading obviously has more information than I've been able to locate myself.
What are the differences in the Wrangler head from that of the heads on Pentastars in other models? Are there different part numbers for the replacement heads on other models aside from the Wrangler?
I actually used to work for an engine company and you would be amazed at how many variation to machining can be done to the same base casting.
09-07-2012 | 06:15 AM
#67
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
A couple months ago auto week did an article that mentioned it specifically. However, beyond that, the wrangler's performance curves are different than in other platforms. These performance curves are driven primarilly by differences in the head and cam designs working in concert with each other.
I actually used to work for an engine company and you would be amazed at how many variation to machining can be done to the same base casting.
I actually used to work for an engine company and you would be amazed at how many variation to machining can be done to the same base casting.
I don't disagree that many permutations of a base design can be made.
I will have to search for that article, however I did find this posted on another forum which indicates the opposite, i.e. that all the heads are the same.
Actually the only revision appears to be to the front casting where the alternator mounts to the front of the block on top of the 2012 Wrangler, and looking at a recent minivan it had the holes and flat places in that front casting already for attaching the alternator where the Wrangler attaches it. So the engine itself appears identical across all Chryslers that use it, with the only difference being accessory mounting (the Wrangler putting the alternator up top). Well, and the computer is tuned slightly differently due to the Wrangler's different exhaust and different operational requirements (a Wrangler needs low-end torque more than it needs top-end power), but if there is a problem it should affect all Pentastars, not just Wranglers. In particular, the driver's side/left side head is the same on all Pentastars.
09-07-2012 | 09:15 PM
#68
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
I did read something early-on that indicated that the engines in the various models were tuned differently (e.g. the 285 HP in the Wrangler vs. 305 in the Charger). The article, though, indicated that it was a "tuning" difference, and the Wrangler specifically was tuned for more low-end torque to better accomodate the intended use of the vehicle (i.e. off-road driving) as well as to accomodate the more restricted air intake. It said nothing about the head being different, which is why you've piqued my curiousity.
I don't disagree that many permutations of a base design can be made.
I will have to search for that article, however I did find this posted on another forum which indicates the opposite, i.e. that all the heads are the same.
I don't disagree that many permutations of a base design can be made.
I will have to search for that article, however I did find this posted on another forum which indicates the opposite, i.e. that all the heads are the same.
Last edited by Vanilla_Coke; 09-07-2012 at 09:47 PM.
09-10-2012 | 07:30 PM
#69
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Brea, CA
Just hit 9181 miles as CEL came on Friday before labor weekend, so dealer didn't want me to bring it in until after the holiday. Well of course the light reset so canceled the appointment. This past Friday light came on, so I took it straight to dealership. Telling what I believed it to be forced the dealership to really look into it and simply not flashing it. Came back and it is the miss firing in the the 2nd cylinder. They have the parts so shouldn't be too long, so I thought until I got the call saying they found a broken tab on the alternator that they have to order. Now I don't get my jeep back till Friday. I didn't think much of the clicking sound and chocked it up to low oil, now I know what it really was thanks to the forum.
09-10-2012 | 07:39 PM
#70
JK Freak
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 696
Likes: 0
From: Hilmar, CA
Dig...Do you know the build date of your JK? You said that you did have the tick before the CEL came on?
Please keep us updated on the status of your JK, especially if they do replace one of the heads. Let us know if that resolves the tick.
Please keep us updated on the status of your JK, especially if they do replace one of the heads. Let us know if that resolves the tick.