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Engine knock

Tiny
TJPOOLMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 JEEP WRANGLER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 82,000 MILES
I have a 2007 jeep wrangler. I have always done regular oil changes since I began leasing it new. It has 82K on it now. The oil light started coming on and when my wife got home I could hear it ticking/knocking. I checked the oil but it didn`t show on the dipstick. I put in a quart and it still read empty. I decided to do an entire oil/filter change and put in 6 qts and a new filter. I measured the oil that was drained. It was only about 2 qts (on a 6 qt system), and I had just put in one! First of all, where on earth did all that oil go? And is my engine doomed now? There is still a slight ticking sounding like it is coming from the top of the motor. Afraid to drive it. Thank for your time. Tom
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Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 AT 11:41 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Dear Sir

I'm not here to make you mad or upset. Here to help the best I can!

I am AN--AL with my Jeeps, I have two, a '46 Willys ("Willy")and a '77 CJ5 (MR. JEEP)I check my oil EVERY SATURDAY MORNING, thats just my habit. I watch my GAUGES RELIGIOUSLY

I work on my stuff out of necessity and to aid friends and family. Hence: I am a "SELF CERTIFIED REAR LAWN MECHANIC" and have been since I was about 10, hanging around with the "Older Guys"

I simply do not trust anyone else with my Jeeps, I have found that people do not care about MY STUFF LIKE I DO!

Same goes for Wifes Car--I'm not up to speed on all of this computer stuff, so I have "Connections" (Friends who are mechanics) that Teach me/ aid in repairs on hers. Never leaving my sight, and learning as I go

I know mechanical stuff well and do all of that stuff myself.

I researched several manuals before deciding to answer you, so that I might do it "Tactfully"

I have my way, which is sometimes overboard--thats why I checked manuals--This is my findings and you will/should recognize my "OPINIONS" within

3 Manuals say: Check oil level EVERY 250 miles or ONCE A WEEK. Your owners manual may say something similar

THIS MEANS PULLING THE STICK-WIPING IT OFF-REINSERTING IT-PULLING IT ONCE MORE FOR THE ACTUAL CHECK. VEHICLE OFF MODE

TOO LATE NOW. LESSON LEARNED!

Your oil can leak out/ burn thru your engine/ neighborhood kids vandalize your rig/ rock knocks a hole in your pan. If the SUPER OIL CHANGER GUYS changed your oil. And you were not watching AND/ OR CHECKING BEHIND THEM (pull the stick afterward). Maybe you started out LOW, at that point.I experienced (in a company truck) they do not FILL you up/ they put you in the "SAFE" marks. Sorta which came 1st the chicken or the egg?

Cell phones now play a big part in the type service you get ANYWHERE!

When the Temp Gauge indicates hot---you might travel another 2-300 yards and get to a safe location.----BAD BUT NOT CRITICAL!

WHEN THE OIL GAUGE/ IDIOT LIGHT COMES ON--YOU BETTER SHUT "him" OFF IMMEDIATELY. PULL OVER. OR COAST SOMEWHERE. IMMEDIATELY CRITICAL!

Even if your light came on---and YOU ARE FULL OF OIL--Mr. Oil Pump coulda went out, and continuing to drive it will MUFF up your bearings and such. As if there was no oil at all!

A COUNTRY-BOY SIMILARITY IS : Sitting on some cardboard, being pulled behind a pick-up truck. Suddenly the cardboard flies out. Do you continue to hang onto the "water-ski rope" Or do we turn loose and not damage the GOODS?

OK preaching is over,

If the ticking sounds like it is up high (under the valve covers) not low in the block. Lets try NEW OIL (what you have in now is fine) But as you fill it back to the top--substitute a quart of HIGH TACH or LUCAS OIL STABILIZER for a Quart of the oil you "WERE" gonna refill with. If too late, drain a quart out, then put it in

Maybe nothing got real bad damaged, and your Tappets (hydraulic lifters) went dry and are not hurt.

The other TOUGH QUESTION you must ask the DRIVER at the time of occurrence is:HOW LONG AND HOW MANY TIMES DID YOU SEE THE WARNING. AND HOW LONG DID YOU CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT?

I HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER USUALLY DOES NOT MATCH THE DAMAGE. Just one of those facts you must live with, and try to make the best of it

I try to not write novels, but I get carried away

I hope you Jeep fairs great--they are tough, I never had a "car" for my own. Just CJs

Please Respond. Even to chew on me!

Let me know if the stabilizer works

The Medic
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 AT 2:06 AM
Tiny
TJPOOLMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well let me back up a little and tell you that this 2007 jeep wrangler with 83K miles had recently just made a 1200 miles trip.18hrs straight thru from MA to FL. It has made this trip 6 times (round trip). Anyway when my wife first saw the oil light come on she was probably 50 miles from home. Damage was done I`m sure. I drained out some oil and added the Lucas oil treatment stuff. I let it run for about 5 minutes and check oil level. 1/2 quart down and still ticking at an idle. Much more pronounced knocking when I accelerate. Brought to a local shop so they could listen and they all (3 mechanics) seam to think it is the bottom end. I am currently in FL and need to get back to MA. They said not to even attempt getting on freeway for 2 exits. Nevermind 1200 miles! Any suggestions?
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 AT 10:52 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Well Boss--I'm good at getting out of tight spots

Clatter and tapping is not so bad, KNOCKING IS!

As you might can tell, I speak my piece, And I have no regards toward Ettiquette(sp). However I do exhibit Chivalrous manners, during my quests!

Too bad you aren't in GA or SC, thats where there are more "TRUE" Homegrown Southerners. Hospitality Reigns Up This-a-way!

I sent you a message did you read it? (Look in messages)

If I were in your shoes, I would take some Non-Cool(to my wife) measures to get me back with my baby (talking about the Jeep!)

One attempt would be call the RENTAL TRUCK AGENCIES and see if someone is renting a truck headed toward YANKEE LAND

They will not give out their info, but tell the agency your Dilemma, see if they might contact them and explain the deal. See if you might hook a trailer to them, and pay for some of the expenses. Leave your number to get a answer

Another attempt Rent a Truck (minimal-capable size to pull a dolly) RENT BOTH. Pull it back yourself.I would take the rear driveshaft off at the differential(tape the "U" joint caps on well, and tie it up high. As not to turn your drivetrain internals while in tow.

I did this to get my '46 Willys from Arkansas to South Carolina.

If you are like me, fundage may be an issue

You got any Ideas?

Whats your 20? (Location)(can tell me in Messages if you want to tell)

Run'em by me!

I'll be on till about Midnight Eastern

Sittin' behind the 32" TV (my monitor for now) or Mr. Laptop (left)

The Medic
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Friday, December 3rd, 2010 AT 12:32 AM
Tiny
TJPOOLMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well did some research and found that jeeps bought or leased after july 2007 have a lifetime powertrain warranty that would cover "all lubricated parts" engine, transmission, etc. As long as I can prove that I did regular oil changes (which I did). It was just towed to the local dealer. I am expecting that the insurance company that underwrites for Chrysler/Jeep will not want to pay. Just like any insurance company.I`ll let you know how it goes,
tom
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Friday, December 3rd, 2010 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Thinking seriously about a "Newer Jeep" (a brother to my other 2!)--Sorta what I'm used to. It'll have to be a Wrangler.

Presently Mr. Jeep ('77 CJ5)is about to get ALL new guts in his tranny. He's been sick for about 3 weeks and I just got in, all but 1 part. Imma gonna take it slow and have my wifes garage spot for about a week (or less).6 years ago it was about $400, same kit now was $810

"Willy" is a little "AIRY" to drive now, while He's down!

I may have a Decent Worker's Comp settlement soon (maybe decent)

So how's an ole AN-AL Feller like me, gonna prove the Oil changes?

Ransom Pic with the daily newspaper---Goodies in the background--Jeep in the Air?

If you were in the "Disney Area" I might could hooked you up with a resident or sorta a Country-Boy and Nurse Wife---Host-Hostess--"Good People" (they're from up North too, N.C!)That might could Help/aid/assist you with the atmosphere down there.

Let me know how all of this is panning out

The Medic
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Friday, December 3rd, 2010 AT 6:57 PM
Tiny
TJPOOLMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well I think the only thing I have to do is prove that I did regular oil changes. And I too am AN-AL about oil in my equipment. Always 3k. It may have drifted towards 3500 a few times but I was always on top of that. It has 83K on it now and it has had 27 or so oil changes since I picked it up new. Of that 27, I have done about 15 in my driveway.3or 4 at jiffy lube.2-3 at speed lube.2-3 at gregs auto. 4-5 at leo`s auto. And since i`m in MA from April-Oct or so, and in FL from Oct- April or so, I have had it serviced down here several times as well as do it yourself in my driveway. I don`t know how accurate the records I have are supposed to be. I am sure as soon as they open up the engine, starting with the valve covers. It will tell a story of a well maintained engine. Fingers are crossed. I`ll let you know how it turns out.
Tom
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Friday, December 3rd, 2010 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Roger--I'm going no-where (sorta like you right now!)

The Medic
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Saturday, December 4th, 2010 AT 12:39 AM
Tiny
PHIL380
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Have a look on the Jeep forums. Early build "07 & some '08 JKs were notorious for burning oil in the range of over a quart per 1000 miles. This often doesn't show up as smoke out the tailpipe as you think it would since the two stage high-temp cats burn off most of the oil before it exits the exhaust system. When these oil-burning motors have been pulled down for examination it has been found that in most cases the rings were installed incorrectly at the assembly plant (oil expander rings fitted upside down on the pistons, compression rings installed with all the gaps lined up). This oil consumption can suddenly increase to the point where folks like yourself think that the oil level should be fine and suddenly run the sump dry and spin a bearing (the cause of the rod-knock sound you hear).

Chrysler has been replacing these motors free of charge when it is shown that a manufacturing defect is the cause of the high oil consumption. There is also an issue with some brands of oil filters having poor anti-drain back valves leading to dry starts (which have a cumulative effect over time of destroying bearings) when the Jeeps left standing overnight. I believe Fram and Mobil1 filters have been found to be the worst for this.
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Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 2:25 PM
Tiny
TJPOOLMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I heard from the Dealer and they said that Chrysler is going to replace the motor parts and labor for free. They did say that it "spun a bearing" and had no idea what had caused it. He did say that it was not my fault and that I did do regular necessary maintainance. However it is going to take about 2 weeks to complete the job. Thanks for all your input, Tom
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Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 4:01 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Ever need some help, or want to update more. Keep on doin' what you are doin.I guess its warmer there, than in Y.L!

The Medic
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Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
PHIL380
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
."They did say that it "spun a bearing" and had no idea what had caused it. He did say that it was not my fault and that I did do regular necessary maintainance."

Yep, Chrysler's standard practice in this case (several whole batches of incorrectly assembled motors) is to replace the short block and not elaborate on the cause because if they were to publicly acknowledge this then there would be calls to recall thousands and thousands of oil-burning Wranglers at a cost of tens of millions of dollars (supply and install of a new motor runs in the vicinity of 6 grand a pop).

One of the guys in my jeep club had a spun bearing (& Chrysler rightly replaced the V6 under warranty) and when he wandered over looked at the disassembled motor in pieces on the garage floor he saw that the pistons and inside of the heads were completely black, oily and covered in a thick crust of burnt oil, and when he wiped one piston down could clearly see that the ring gaps were all lined up. When the service manager of the dealership saw him doing this he came running over, threw a dust-sheet over the components and asked him to leave the area immediately; he seemed really scared. He later admitted that he was sworn to secrecy by Chrysler and was instructed to just replace the motors (he'd seen several in the space of a few months) and just say absolutely nothing about the cause of the oil loss and eventual spun bearing. Good to hear that Chrysler are doing the right thing by you; good luck!
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Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 AT 12:25 AM

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