Manager Forum

Ok folks just ran into an odd case and wanted to share. I recently had an 03 Jeep Liberty 3.7 come in for a mis-fire. Compression low on cylinder 1. Bleed down 100% thru intake. Tear down found cylinder 1 piston damaged and intake valve and seat area damaged as if a small nut went thru the engine. Today my used car neighbor tore down a 05 Dakota 3.7 for same problem on cylinder 4. Found same condition. We suspect intake valve guides are breaking off and falling down into engine causing serious damage, but have not confirmed that! Just a heads up!

If I remember correctly, those engines had valve keeper problems that keep the valves from spinning correctly and subsequently caused misfires. Is it possible that if left that way the valve could get damaged further? Hmmm.

I did see the TSB for the keepers. These engines have the keepers in place. Very little carbon build up on valves. On both engines you can see what appears to be 'rotational" marks in valve seat area as though whatever went thru the engine hung on the valve for a while. Both heads had the combustion chambers beat up pretty good.

Got any pics?

Never seen it

Let me see if I can post some Joe. I aint real savvy on that but I think I can get some help on it. I took the same computer classes Kiser attended!

Just a follow up here ( sorry for the lateness). As it turns out they are dropping the valve seats out of the head. pretty much trashes everthing in that cylinder.

I see many of these with the same problem. Keepers are failing dropping valves, seems #1 cylinder more often then others

Just like the old Escorts. Next time you have one ask the customer if they had heard a clatter noise on start up cold once and a while.