possible problems with some 3.6 pentastar engines
07-01-2012 | 07:22 AM
#461
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Halifax,Nova Scotia
Originally Posted by directedby
News: Fix coming for rare Pentastar problem
Posted on June 25th, 2012 o by David Zatz
Several dealers have reported a problem with some Pentastar engines, involving premature cylinder head failure on cylinder number 2. The issue seems to affect cars with around 20,000 miles, and while it is rare considering the number of these engines produced, it has become an issue for dealerships in some areas due to the lack of readily available service parts. The V6 is Chrysler's only six-cylinder gasoline engine except for the Ram 1500?s 3.7 liter powerplant.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=335756"/>
A fix has been engineered and has reportedly entered production. As tooling is created and tested, revised heads will be used on all engines. In the meantime, a backlog of cylinder heads for service replacement is being addressed, with the heads reportedly going into distribution now.
Because the issue seems to make itself known relatively quickly, it should come up within the warranty period, and "the new Chrysler" has proven itself likely to stand behind known defects long after warranties are over. The problem affects a small percentage of engines; while numerous sources have reported it to Allpar, the reason is likely due to the lack of replacement heads in the channel. Now that service parts are being produced in quantity, that issue is likely to disappear and the affair may not be remembered as more than an early glitch.
Posted on June 25th, 2012 o by David Zatz
Several dealers have reported a problem with some Pentastar engines, involving premature cylinder head failure on cylinder number 2. The issue seems to affect cars with around 20,000 miles, and while it is rare considering the number of these engines produced, it has become an issue for dealerships in some areas due to the lack of readily available service parts. The V6 is Chrysler's only six-cylinder gasoline engine except for the Ram 1500?s 3.7 liter powerplant.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=335756"/>
A fix has been engineered and has reportedly entered production. As tooling is created and tested, revised heads will be used on all engines. In the meantime, a backlog of cylinder heads for service replacement is being addressed, with the heads reportedly going into distribution now.
Because the issue seems to make itself known relatively quickly, it should come up within the warranty period, and "the new Chrysler" has proven itself likely to stand behind known defects long after warranties are over. The problem affects a small percentage of engines; while numerous sources have reported it to Allpar, the reason is likely due to the lack of replacement heads in the channel. Now that service parts are being produced in quantity, that issue is likely to disappear and the affair may not be remembered as more than an early glitch.
Tuesday he said he's calling Chrysler engineering. Slowly getting forward momentum, Tuesday can't come soon enough.
07-01-2012 | 07:37 PM
#462
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Rogers, Arkansas
I can not believe that some are having these horrible issues with their dealerships! I had problems but DANG.... not like you!
I hope you get it fixed quick. I hate it you are having so much trouble.
Hang in there and keep us updated my friend
I hope you get it fixed quick. I hate it you are having so much trouble.
Hang in there and keep us updated my friend
07-02-2012 | 08:55 AM
#463
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: satellite beach fl
found my build date was late Feb 2012. hope better heads were put in but from what Im reading Ill bet not. time will tell. 2000 miles and still smooth.
but now Im paranoid about every tic I think I hear.
thank god we have a pretty good lemon law in FLorida. stealerships are scared of it and when you start a case with it they usually jump thru hoops. we will see. . .
but now Im paranoid about every tic I think I hear.
thank god we have a pretty good lemon law in FLorida. stealerships are scared of it and when you start a case with it they usually jump thru hoops. we will see. . .
07-02-2012 | 06:13 PM
#464
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Rogers, Arkansas
[QUOTE=Lighting Guy;3093742]Had a small conversation with my service adviser and parts manager today. They both admitted Chrysler does acknowledge the issue, but isn't really telling them anything more. The RL in front of the cylinder part number stands for re-labled. (He hadn't ever heard of RE.) He said its used when they make a change to a part, but it happens all the time to different stuff. They both agreed the heads they are getting are probably repaired ones, which they both thought was better.
Glad to know the dealership told me correctly then. Thanks for the further input as well! Glad I have a "Re-tooled, possibly previously used head that may or may not start ticking again or have problems!" LOL
Glad you took the time to do more research on this topic!!
Glad to know the dealership told me correctly then. Thanks for the further input as well! Glad I have a "Re-tooled, possibly previously used head that may or may not start ticking again or have problems!" LOL
Glad you took the time to do more research on this topic!!
07-02-2012 | 06:48 PM
#465
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Key West, FL
Getting my 12 Sport S this week once it arrives at the dealer. According to e-mails Jeep serving me since the order went in, the build date should be the second from last week in June. Hopefully, the magic fix was in prior to that. We'll see, eh? Not going to worry about it but will l keep monitoring this thread.
07-02-2012 | 06:57 PM
#466
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass, OR
Finally got my Jeep back today! 26 days in the shop. Replaced driver's side head and a new short block after they stripped a bolt. Still hear a tick that is quieter than before. Mileage is back to normal though and everything seems fine. Hopefully, there will be no more issues from here on out... Maybe that slight tick I hear is just paranoia.. Lol
07-02-2012 | 07:26 PM
#467
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Rogers, Arkansas
Finally got my Jeep back today! 26 days in the shop. Replaced driver's side head and a new short block after they stripped a bolt. Still hear a tick that is quieter than before. Mileage is back to normal though and everything seems fine. Hopefully, there will be no more issues from here on out... Maybe that slight tick I hear is just paranoia.. Lol
07-03-2012 | 10:33 AM
#468
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Whittier, CA
Had a small conversation with my service adviser and parts manager today. They both admitted Chrysler does acknowledge the issue, but isn't really telling them anything more. The RL in front of the cylinder part number stands for re-labled. (He hadn't ever heard of RE.) He said its used when they make a change to a part, but it happens all the time to different stuff. They both agreed the heads they are getting are probably repaired ones, which they both thought was better.
Also, most of the head replacements they've been seeing at this dealership are rental cars (they have a decent contract with Enterprise near them). It is a bunch of models though. He showed me some of the current shop orders he has in for head replacements, Durango, T & C, wrangler, etc. So it is not just us! He also hasn't seen anyone come back yet from a replacement, even though we've seen a couple reports of that online.
Also, most of the head replacements they've been seeing at this dealership are rental cars (they have a decent contract with Enterprise near them). It is a bunch of models though. He showed me some of the current shop orders he has in for head replacements, Durango, T & C, wrangler, etc. So it is not just us! He also hasn't seen anyone come back yet from a replacement, even though we've seen a couple reports of that online.
RL or re-labeled could indicate something as simple as a manufacturing PN was setup as a service part in the ERP system... or a more complex issue, to control inventory on something may have been pulled from inventory, reworked and placed back into stock. RE could very well mean re-engineered to assure they can identify the re-designed heads as they enter the supply chain.
Only Chrysler knows their master data management and naming conventions... they typically communicate prefixes and part numbers to the dealers for orderable items, usually as discreet PN's or sales groups for service parts, recalls, TIBs or product announcements.
Its a complex system ... without actually knowing, I would lean toward the RE labeled parts.
.02
Last edited by m998dna; 07-03-2012 at 01:09 PM.
07-04-2012 | 02:05 PM
#469
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Rogers, Arkansas
Had a small conversation with my service adviser and parts manager today. They both admitted Chrysler does acknowledge the issue, but isn't really telling them anything more. The RL in front of the cylinder part number stands for re-labled. (He hadn't ever heard of RE.) He said its used when they make a change to a part, but it happens all the time to different stuff. They both agreed the heads they are getting are probably repaired ones, which they both thought was better.
Also, most of the head replacements they've been seeing at this dealership are rental cars (they have a decent contract with Enterprise near them). It is a bunch of models though. He showed me some of the current shop orders he has in for head replacements, Durango, T & C, wrangler, etc. So it is not just us! He also hasn't seen anyone come back yet from a replacement, even though we've seen a couple reports of that online.
Also, most of the head replacements they've been seeing at this dealership are rental cars (they have a decent contract with Enterprise near them). It is a bunch of models though. He showed me some of the current shop orders he has in for head replacements, Durango, T & C, wrangler, etc. So it is not just us! He also hasn't seen anyone come back yet from a replacement, even though we've seen a couple reports of that online.
07-08-2012 | 11:07 AM
#470
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Draper, UT
First symptoms?
I have heard a tick on start up a few times but this morning I had a plume of blue smoke out the tailpipe on start up. 5K miles on a 2012
Time to talk to the service dept?
Will documenting it help further down the line if I do have a problem or it gets worse?
Time to talk to the service dept?
Will documenting it help further down the line if I do have a problem or it gets worse?