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3.6l pentatsar misfire cylinder head issues?

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35K views 12 replies 10 participants last post by  shamblinjack06  
#1 ·
Hello Ram Members

I am trading in my 2013 3.6 Ram1500 for a 2017 3.6L. My 2013 is having a misfire in cylinder#2 at 72K miles and I suspect a bad cylinder head , It's throwing code P3020 which is cylinder 2 misfire (I already changed the ignition coil and all 6 plugs and the problem is better but still misfires on occasion with a rough idle and mis) as seen in many 3.6L Jeep Wranglers that use the same Pentastar engine. I read this was a big issue in 2011 and seen on Jeeps up until 2015

Does anyone else have a Ram 3.6l issues with a bad head? If so what year and mileage.

Do I need to be concerned with 2017 model 3.6L, or is the issue resolved? I am trying to get a formal response from Chrysler but dont have it yet.

Thanks
 
#3 ·
I have not seen the issue on 2014 and newer. Supposedly they fixed the problem.
Or there isn't enough miles on the 2014s and up for the problem to come up yet.
Your 2013 should be under warranty.The fix is a new revised cylinder head
I wouldn't hesitate to get another 3.6 or have yours fixed. 3.6 is a good motor in my opinion. Maybe better problem wise than the Hemi
 
#4 · (Edited)
I just rolled over 27,000 miles on my 2015 3.6L Durango today on the way home from a trip.

AFAIK the head issues with the engine were solved with a recall or TSB that resulted in redesigned heads being installed. The issue only affected 2011 and 2012 Pentastars, which were the first two years for the engine, anything 2013 and newer has the revised heads and I haven't heard of problems with them. Ram didn't get the 3.6 until 2013 so there shouldn't be any Rams with the bad heads. Again this is just from what I understand.

In 2016 they upgraded the Pentastar in the WK2/WD vehicles (Grand Cherokee and Durango), in part to increase resistance to wear when they added auto start/stop for MY 2016-I do not think the Rams got the PSU V6. The PSU has 2 speed variale valve lift for efficiency, different timing for wider torque and HP curves, a new intake manifold, added EGR (the 2011-2016 version didn't have it), wider cam phasing range, increased the compression ratio from 10.2:1 to 11.3:1, new injectors, HG-R1 coating on valvetrain surfaces (its a hard treatment), and cut some weight-down to 326 from 330 lbs despite the added content. The 5.7L Hemi weighs 485lbs and the EcoDiesel weighs 485 lbs as well, all according to Allpar
 
#11 ·
I have a 2014 Town & Country with a 3.6L and the same problem with #2 Cylinder misfire because of a bad left head.
The Local dealer says 2014 3.6l is not(yet) covered like the 2011-2013 left cylinder heads are.
FCA recognizes the defective head and the resulting #2 cylinder compression loss, 2011-2013. The problem obviously extends into 2014 !
Do you guys have a responsive Chrysler- Jeep Corporate Representative that I can discuss this with ??

I've had Chrysler products for 30 years; NEVER an engine defect like this before !!

'Appreciate some help. Thank You.
-Kenny
 
#9 · (Edited)
I just hit 68,000 miles on my 2014 Dodge Durango Citadel and the dreaded check engine light came on. Also got the #2 misfire code. Replaced all spark plugs and coils. Looks like it's the same issue. Verified with two independent mechanics. It's now at the dealership. The independent mechanics both agreed, it is the same issue as those that were recalled in earlier models. Blown head.

Update: I just heard back from the dealership and as was suspected it is a blown head, #2 cylinder. $2700 to fix it.
 
#10 ·
Hello Ram Members

I am trading in my 2013 3.6 Ram1500 for a 2017 3.6L. My 2013 is having a misfire in cylinder#2 at 72K miles and I suspect a bad cylinder head , It's throwing code P3020 which is cylinder 2 misfire (I already changed the ignition coil and all 6 plugs and the problem is better but still misfires on occasion with a rough idle and mis) as seen in many 3.6L Jeep Wranglers that use the same Pentastar engine. I read this was a big issue in 2011 and seen on Jeeps up until 2015

Does anyone else have a Ram 3.6l issues with a bad head? If so what year and mileage.

Do I need to be concerned with 2017 model 3.6L, or is the issue resolved? I am trying to get a formal response from Chrysler but dont have it yet.

Thanks
I have a 2014 Town & Country with a 3.6L and the same problem with #2 Cylinder misfire because of a bad left head.
The Local dealer says 2014 3.6l is not(yet) covered like the 2011-2013 left cylinder heads are.
FCA recognizes the defective head and the resulting #2 cylinder compression loss, 2011-2013. The problem obviously extends into 2014 !
Do you guys have a responsive Chrysler- Jeep Corporate Representative that I can discuss this with ??

I've had Chrysler products for 30 years; NEVER an engine defect like this before !!

'Appreciate some help. Thank You.
-Kenny