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Update on ticking Pentastar..new head...

875K views 6K replies 858 participants last post by  Tmmbro 
#1 ·
Took it in Tuesday to have the ticking looked at - it was getting louder since about 800 miles. Left side of engine only, and definitely valve train. Dealership pulled left side apart and discovered #4 exhaust lifter loose in the bore. I felt it myself. Even the wear pattern on the lifter was different. Chrysler rep told tech there were a "few" heads let out of the factory that were out of spec, so a new head is needed. Heads and head gaskets are on national back order, so I am in a rental car. 3100 miles. I'll try and get some relevant pics on Monday.
 
#3 ·
He did not - but I will be digging for more info as I go. Funny thing is, I am not really upset by this whole issue. I just hope this is not a sign of things to come.
 
#5 ·
I'm not sure if this is what you have or normal but I popped the hood when I heard ticking last week on my 2012 Sahara. I have a ticking on the driver's side for about 30 seconds after start up then it quiets way down but is still there. The passenger side is quiet with no ticking and sounds normal. I have 1025 miles now and didn't notice this ticking until last week. If this sounds like what you started with I'm headed to the dealer!
 
#5,270 ·
I had the same noise, i realized every time i would engage the clutch it would do it for about 30 seconds. Haven't taken it to Chrysler yet but it doesn't seem to be messing with my performance at all. Just hope its not something bad, although i don't think it is.
 
#643 ·
Me too, and I hope everyone with 3.6 problems is helped and everything is resolved.

I remember the abuse I took when buying a 2011 with a 3.8 just before the new engine was released. However, I'd been through this before when Ford released their 4.0 SOHC engine. It took 3 or 4 years for all of the 4.0 SOHC problems to surface (developed with miliage).
 
#10 ·
Kelsey73 said:
Mine ticks like a sewing machine. Never really been a concern. It'll fail before the warranty if it's something bad.
:wavey:

Lifters do tick but are minor. Cold morning chatter seems normal. Can try synthetics or a better/bigger oil filter.
The 12 oil filter is different correct?

Mine is actually quite. Running AMSOIL :)
 
#11 ·
kjeeper10 said:
:wavey:

Lifters do tick but are minor. Cold morning chatter seems normal. Can try synthetics or a better/bigger oil filter.
The 12 oil filter is different correct?

Mine is actually quite. Running AMSOIL :)
I switch to Mobil 1 syn at 2500 miles. And use the mopar filter.

Always makes the noise everyone's been describing. Even when fully warmed up. Very loud ticking that increases with RPM. Ilona just attributed it to the new Pstar engine.
 
#12 ·
At about 3200 miles in my 2012 JKU sport. The 3.6 has been noisy since day 1 but nothing I suspected to be harmful. I do however here more noise on the driverside of the engine. Changed to mobil 1 synthetic at about 2200 miles with a new mopar filter. Hasn't gotten worse nor better. Performance wise the jeep dos not skip a beat.

My jeep says it was manufactured 8-11 on the door. Not sure where you get a specific date from but I ordered it in august and didn't get it until october. Not sure if I want to have it looked at or just let it go until it fails or gets recalled. No matter what it's a warranty issue the way I see it.
 
#13 ·
There is definitely a problem out there with some Jeeps. The build date for the Cosmos JKUR I traded off was 8-19-12. I posted a video of the noise in a thread started by Donmary. (Pentastar lifter noise #95) The engine was silent until about 2600 miles and developed the ticking noise on the driver's side. Our dealership where we bought it refused to do anything. Traded it off in Kellogg Idaho at Dave Smith Motors. They still have it! For those with the noise "waiting for something to happen" be patient it's coming. The bad part is it could happen to anyone, unless there really is a date range and Chrysler knew all along which engines were affected.
 
#16 ·
There is definitely a problem out there with some Jeeps. The build date for the Cosmos JKUR I traded off was 8-19-12. I posted a video of the noise in a thread started by Donmary. (Pentastar lifter noise #95) The engine was silent until about 2600 miles and developed the ticking noise on the driver's side. Our dealership where we bought it refused to do anything. Traded it off in Kellogg Idaho at Dave Smith Motors. They still have it! For those with the noise "waiting for something to happen" be patient it's coming. The bad part is it could happen to anyone, unless there really is a date range and Chrysler knew all along which engines were affected.

Your build date was 6 months in the future?
 
#19 ·
I wouldn't freak out and make premature visits to the dealer unless it sounds like the christmas elves are pounding on the inside of your engine. They will just send you home and waste your time. Without a code failure they won't do anything and you will just get angry...avoid the anger. You may not have an issue and there isn't anything preemptive you can do. Relax..think of green meadows and babbling brook streams you are able to visit with your Jeep.
 
#20 ·
Not understanding the "it's OK if it ticks" standpoint on the Jeeps, but hey, it's your money. I have been hot rodding for 25 years - rebuilt everything from 4 cyls to 12s, and I have never thought it OK to have a loose valve train unless it's a 150K beater. Metal parts beating on metal parts ALWAYS leads to a failure. Just a matter of time.

I'll have to check on the build date on mine.
 
#21 ·
Snailpower said:
Not understanding the "it's OK if it ticks" standpoint on the Jeeps, but hey, it's your money. I have been hot rodding for 25 years - rebuilt everything from 4 cyls to 12s, and I have never thought it OK to have a loose valve train unless it's a 150K beater. Metal parts beating on metal parts ALWAYS leads to a failure. Just a matter of time.

I'll have to check on the build date on mine.
100% AGREE....ticking and tapping lead to junk.10 yrs from now Jeep will say they used an incorrect torque spec on the valves which led to some being adjusted to high and out of spec. Fix it while they have too, otherwise they will hang you out to dry because your wrangler also has leaks..lol
 
#22 ·
Cosmo - that's the way mine started. I started noticing it at around 800 miles. Slowly got louder. Sounds like a slant 6 in a 69 Dart now. I could clearly tell the tolerance in the lifter bore was too large compared to the rest of the lifters.
 
#24 ·
Kelsey73 said:
Isn't the power train warranty on the '12 5yrs or 100K miles??
Yes it is.
 
#26 ·
For me this is about a $39K vehicle with 1025 miles and there is NO freakin' way that there should be anything wrong with it. Mine was built 09-11 and I will take it to the dealer to have a look. The worst thing that can happen is I have a documented complaint. With enough complaints just maybe a recall will be generated and save us all a little pain.
 
#27 ·
JeepInUse said:
For me this is about a $39K vehicle with 1025 miles and there is NO freakin' way that there should be anything wrong with it. Mine was built 09-11 and I will take it to the dealer to have a look. The worst thing that can happen is I have a documented complaint. With enough complaints just maybe a recall will be generated and save us all a little pain.
Mine was built on 09/11/11 as well. It's a jkur. No issues, sounds the same as day one and doesn't miss a beat. I had a Toyota before, motor ticked from mile 1 and lasted over 100k before I traded it, never a problem even with all the ticking. I'll keep an eye on mine.
 
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