Misfire, My New Constant Companion ;-)

[fairmanicmaeve]

Back in February, hubs and I put our 04 KJ (79K miles) in the shop after the MIL played tag with us for a month. It would come on for less than 50 miles, and then go off for 300+ miles. The code was P0303. Misfire on #3. $2700 later, new everything (too much on the invoice to list, including timing chains). We've had the vehicle back since the 1st week in March.

3 days ago, as I started it to return home from an errand, the MIL came on for 15 miles and has now remained off for 96 miles. Took it to the same dealer who worked on it back in february this morning. Hubs checked it last night and it was giving the P0303 again. UGH.

Dealer says that previous parts/work is warrantied and after checking it, they need to tear it down to the heads AGAIN. No problem if they're going to fix it. They say any "new parts not installed the 1st time" would be on us. I.E. NEW heads. The current heads were sent off to be checked (worked on) and deemed OK to reinstall.

Hubs and I feel that if the #3 is screwey again and it has damaged the heads (or possibly the heads were damaged and they reinstalled them anyway) then THEY should have to eat the cost of the heads. Am I crazy here???!?! almost $3K in work on a KJ that is below 80K miles. It's insane.

We've checked and changed plugs, coil packs, etc. I just KNOW the dealer is going to expect us to pay for at least SOME of the repair... and the heads run about $600 each (right and left). I've done quite a bit of searching and can't believe, after what I've read here, that Jeep didn't issue a recall on this. TONS of KJ owners with cylinder misfire!

Icing on the cake??!?!? The dealer who did the work is one on the chopping block scheduled to close June 9th! So it's crunch time! And we're wondering who's going to warranty their work/service when they are finished with it!chairshot.gif(banghead)

 

[tjkj2002]

Back in February, hubs and I put our 04 KJ (79K miles) in the shop after the MIL played tag with us for a month. It would come on for less than 50 miles, and then go off for 300+ miles. The code was P0303. Misfire on #3. $2700 later, new everything (too much on the invoice to list, including timing chains). We've had the vehicle back since the 1st week in March.

3 days ago, as I started it to return home from an errand, the MIL came on for 15 miles and has now remained off for 96 miles. Took it to the same dealer who worked on it back in february this morning. Hubs checked it last night and it was giving the P0303 again. UGH.

Dealer says that previous parts/work is warrantied and after checking it, they need to tear it down to the heads AGAIN. No problem if they're going to fix it. They say any "new parts not installed the 1st time" would be on us. I.E. NEW heads. The current heads were sent off to be checked (worked on) and deemed OK to reinstall.

Hubs and I feel that if the #3 is screwey again and it has damaged the heads (or possibly the heads were damaged and they reinstalled them anyway) then THEY should have to eat the cost of the heads. Am I crazy here???!?! almost $3K in work on a KJ that is below 80K miles. It's insane.

We've checked and changed plugs, coil packs, etc. I just KNOW the dealer is going to expect us to pay for at least SOME of the repair... and the heads run about $600 each (right and left). I've done quite a bit of searching and can't believe, after what I've read here, that Jeep didn't issue a recall on this. TONS of KJ owners with cylinder misfire!

Icing on the cake??!?!? The dealer who did the work is one on the chopping block scheduled to close June 9th! So it's crunch time! And we're wondering who's going to warranty their work/service when they are finished with it!chairshot.gif(banghead)

So I guess Ford needs to recall all there 4.6/5.4/6.8's for the same issue,not to mention the the highly likelyhood of breaking the passenger/rear plug off in the head of 5.4's.Or recall all GM or Fords using a MAF sensor with a idiot operator/owner using a oiled airfilter like K&N's and contantly getting misfire codes or not starting at all.Oh then there's the Nissian 2.5's and there crank sensors causing all sorts of misfire problems.Can't forget the Honda's and there really bad engineering of there sparkplug tube seals and those constant misfires that are seen on a daily basis.I can go on and on since this is the headaches I get to deal with every day as a technician.


Welcome to mass production,keeping money in my pocket since 1996.

 

[fairmanicmaeve]

i don't think it unreasonable to expect to have a working vehicle that has been babied, never missed or late on any scheduled maintenence........

We do NO off-roading, never has been on a trip longer than 300 miles or so...... oil changed every 3K miles.........

To spend all that we have and still have that bloody light on and it back at the dealer for a 2nd head job...... i find utterly and completely ridiculous!

Not actually expecting anything to be recalled, but having to pay for the same repairs over and over.... *****.

 

[tommudd]

Find a good reputable local shop ( not a dealership) and get a second opinion. (People get second opinions on their health care so why not on their vehicle care? ) May cost you a little bit but may be worth it in the long run. Take in the invoice and show them what has been done up to this point and let them check it over and see if they come up with something that may of been overlooked. I have never had a vehicle back into a dealership since I quit working in one in 1978. Smaller mom and pop type shops most times offer better service and better prices for better quality work

 

[tjkj2002]

i don't think it unreasonable to expect to have a working vehicle that has been babied, never missed or late on any scheduled maintenence........

We do NO off-roading, never has been on a trip longer than 300 miles or so...... oil changed every 3K miles.........

To spend all that we have and still have that bloody light on and it back at the dealer for a 2nd head job...... i find utterly and completely ridiculous!

Not actually expecting anything to be recalled, but having to pay for the same repairs over and over.... *****.

That's what everyone wants,just doesn't happen very often."babied" might be your problem,go blow some of them cob webs out.I beat the snot out of my KJ,my maintenance schedule is extreme and I have no issues that has not been my fault(offroading) or forced upon me(stored for two 1 year deployments).

 

[Ry' N Jen]

When we first had out KJ, it too had a "Misfire on cylinder #3". I took it to the dealership and told them what was wrong and asked them to please repair the problem for me.
Turns out that the spark plug was toast, other than a new set of plugs, I had them change the oil at the same time because it was time for it anyway and they gave my a discount because they saw my wheel chair in the back and my wheel chair parking spot permit. All in, it was something like $300.00 for everything.
To date, it's needed a new water pump, new plugs, new multi function switch, and all normal wear and tear items like full brake job. 4X4 service, ****** flush, coolant flush, brake fluid flush. I guess a grand total of about $2900.00 in two years five months.
Thats a $100.00 per month.
To me that is an acceptable amount money for vehicle maintenance. Considering we bought the KJ used and it did have a full service history.
The truck runs great, reliable, gets decent fuel economy considering it's a truck.
That, and I just spent an additional $1904.00 and then new tires (another $1400.00 to $1700.00 in there somewhere!)
But that's how it goes with vehicles, and specially if people modify them to suit there needs.

I would also challenge the repair cost if any like in your situation. You bet!
I had to do it a few time with my econo box Dodge/Mitsubishi because the dealership pooched it big time! Replacing a newer/less mileage timing belt tensioner with a totally bagged out one! (Long long story!)
But the repair was split 3 ways so I ended up paying a third of the price they first told me...
It doesn't hurt to ask right?
Nothing ventured nothing gained!

Cheers
Ry'

 

[ShafferNY]

It sure seems to me like the '02-'04 KJ didn't have any issues with misfires and such. The 3.7L's were great. I haven't had one ounce of trouble with my '03, with 83,200 on the clock. My sister hasn't had an ounce of trouble with her '03 KJ and it's pushing 100,000.

All the problems seem to be with the '05+ from my research.

I starting to believe all these issue are cause by the changes Jeep made to the cam and lash adjusters in '05. This is an excerpt from www.Allpar.com on the 3/7L.

In 2005, the 3.7 engine was treated to numerous economy and idle-quality changes, with a new cam profile, lash adjusters, rings, and a 9.7:1 compression ratio.

A vehicle with 37,000 miles on it shouldn't be plagued with problems like this.

I agree with fairmanicmaeve. Jeep should step up to the plate here. But that's not likely given the current state of the company and the ecomony.

I have a hard time believing the previous owner neglected our '06 or abused the vehicle in any way. Other than this problem with the engine, the vehicle is flawless.