paul castle

Dear Friends,

Our company (www.tactics.com) owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0
L engine. Yesterday while driving on the highway its
engine blew up --- the top of piston in cylinder #5 is shrapnel and has
damaged that cylinder and also #6. Until then, the Jeep was
regularly maintained at a dealer here in San Jose, CA. There were no
advance signs of trouble -- no funny sounds, or even displays
on the instrument panel. Just sudden death. The vehicle has 72k miles,
80% of which were from highway driving. It had the
standard 3 yr/36k mile warranty.

I need your help, in the form of INFORMATION to help build a case
against Jeep to motivate them to replace the engine. I am looking for
other informatin and problems that can substantiate known problems with
the engine, catalytic converter, or ignition system.

Today, multiple calls to the dealer and their 1-800-992-1997 service
center have, predictably, resulted in nothing. Just a
cold "its your problem and this call needs to end."


HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP ...

I think Jeep had problems with that engine and is keeping it quiet. I
need information to be armed agains those who say no at Jeep.

I have learned that engine was only in production for that one model
year (highly unusual given the costs for designing and tooling
up for production). Unlike other engines, for this Jeep doesn't sell
complete engines for replacement, only short block and head.
The (non -Jeep) repair shop where the vehicle was towed was shocked at
that. They speculate that the blow up was caused by a
problem in the catalytic converter -- perhaps an explosion there and
back pressure causing another explosion in the cylinder.

WHAT do you in this group know about this engine? Are there any
recurring problems or symptoms?

Are there any known problems with the catalytic converter?

WHAT hot buttons do you recommend pushing to motivate Jeep's management
to settle?

HOW does Jeep approach situations like this? HOW to get over the moat

What other ideas do you have that might explain why a piston would
suddely explode?


Am I off base here? Am I wrong to expect that it is unusual for an
engine to explode? Am I wrong to think that its Jeep's responsibility
to fix their product under these unusual circumstances?


Thanks for your help.
Paul

L.W.(=?iso-8859-1?Q?=DFill?=) Hughes III

Hi Paul,
I don't think you have a leg to stand on. That's why we get
warrantees with new vehicles is to spell out their limitations. I think
the old Rambler engine is unusually resilient. The only reason I could
image a broken piston is by the constant hammering of a low octane
gasoline pre detonation (ping).
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

paul castle wrote:
>
> Dear Friends,
>
> Our company (www.tactics.com) owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0
> L engine. Yesterday while driving on the highway its
> engine blew up --- the top of piston in cylinder #5 is shrapnel and has
> damaged that cylinder and also #6. Until then, the Jeep was
> regularly maintained at a dealer here in San Jose, CA. There were no
> advance signs of trouble -- no funny sounds, or even displays
> on the instrument panel. Just sudden death. The vehicle has 72k miles,
> 80% of which were from highway driving. It had the
> standard 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
>
> I need your help, in the form of INFORMATION to help build a case
> against Jeep to motivate them to replace the engine. I am looking for
> other informatin and problems that can substantiate known problems with
> the engine, catalytic converter, or ignition system.
>
> Today, multiple calls to the dealer and their 1-800-992-1997 service
> center have, predictably, resulted in nothing. Just a
> cold "its your problem and this call needs to end."
>
> HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP ...
>
> I think Jeep had problems with that engine and is keeping it quiet. I
> need information to be armed agains those who say no at Jeep.
>
> I have learned that engine was only in production for that one model
> year (highly unusual given the costs for designing and tooling
> up for production). Unlike other engines, for this Jeep doesn't sell
> complete engines for replacement, only short block and head.
> The (non -Jeep) repair shop where the vehicle was towed was shocked at
> that. They speculate that the blow up was caused by a
> problem in the catalytic converter -- perhaps an explosion there and
> back pressure causing another explosion in the cylinder.
>
> WHAT do you in this group know about this engine? Are there any
> recurring problems or symptoms?
>
> Are there any known problems with the catalytic converter?
>
> WHAT hot buttons do you recommend pushing to motivate Jeep's management
> to settle?
>
> HOW does Jeep approach situations like this? HOW to get over the moat
>
> What other ideas do you have that might explain why a piston would
> suddely explode?
>
> Am I off base here? Am I wrong to expect that it is unusual for an
> engine to explode? Am I wrong to think that its Jeep's responsibility
> to fix their product under these unusual circumstances?
>
> Thanks for your help.
> Paul

RichH

Could have sucked a valve.... but thats a very rare occurance in a
vehicle that's driven 'normally'. Two sucked valves .....nah.

Its pretty rare for such a catastrophic failure (TWO pistons) to occur
and NOT have 'some' prior warning. "Judgment for the plaintiff .....
FIVE PERCENT of CLAIM, failed to take reasonable/prudent action to
prevent on-going total damage".

Paul, for your own sake, ERASE/DELETE your original message to this NG.
How much service or recourse from DC do you expect, now that you've
announced to the world that you're "building a case". Honey gets more
flys than vinegar.




L.W.(ßill) ------ III wrote:
> Hi Paul,
> I don't think you have a leg to stand on. That's why we get
> warrantees with new vehicles is to spell out their limitations. I think
> the old Rambler engine is unusually resilient. The only reason I could
> image a broken piston is by the constant hammering of a low octane
> gasoline pre detonation (ping).
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
> paul castle wrote:
>
>>Dear Friends,
>>
>>Our company (www.tactics.com) owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0
>>L engine. Yesterday while driving on the highway its
>>engine blew up --- the top of piston in cylinder #5 is shrapnel and has
>>damaged that cylinder and also #6. Until then, the Jeep was
>>regularly maintained at a dealer here in San Jose, CA. There were no
>>advance signs of trouble -- no funny sounds, or even displays
>>on the instrument panel. Just sudden death. The vehicle has 72k miles,
>>80% of which were from highway driving. It had the
>>standard 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
>>
>>I need your help, in the form of INFORMATION to help build a case
>>against Jeep to motivate them to replace the engine. I am looking for
>>other informatin and problems that can substantiate known problems with
>>the engine, catalytic converter, or ignition system.
>>
>>Today, multiple calls to the dealer and their 1-800-992-1997 service
>>center have, predictably, resulted in nothing. Just a
>>cold "its your problem and this call needs to end."
>>
>>HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP ...
>>
>>I think Jeep had problems with that engine and is keeping it quiet. I
>>need information to be armed agains those who say no at Jeep.
>>
>>I have learned that engine was only in production for that one model
>>year (highly unusual given the costs for designing and tooling
>>up for production). Unlike other engines, for this Jeep doesn't sell
>>complete engines for replacement, only short block and head.
>>The (non -Jeep) repair shop where the vehicle was towed was shocked at
>>that. They speculate that the blow up was caused by a
>>problem in the catalytic converter -- perhaps an explosion there and
>>back pressure causing another explosion in the cylinder.
>>
>>WHAT do you in this group know about this engine? Are there any
>>recurring problems or symptoms?
>>
>>Are there any known problems with the catalytic converter?
>>
>>WHAT hot buttons do you recommend pushing to motivate Jeep's management
>>to settle?
>>
>>HOW does Jeep approach situations like this? HOW to get over the moat
>>
>>What other ideas do you have that might explain why a piston would
>>suddely explode?
>>
>>Am I off base here? Am I wrong to expect that it is unusual for an
>>engine to explode? Am I wrong to think that its Jeep's responsibility
>>to fix their product under these unusual circumstances?
>>
>>Thanks for your help.
>>Paul
>

DougW

L.W. (ßill) ------ III wrote:
> Hi Paul,
> I don't think you have a leg to stand on. That's why we get
> warrantees with new vehicles is to spell out their limitations. I think
> the old Rambler engine is unusually resilient. The only reason I could
> image a broken piston is by the constant hammering of a low octane
> gasoline pre detonation (ping).

All sorts of things. Cracked gasket burning coolant and eroding piston, cracked
exhaust manifold or intake leak causing lean burn. Or as Bill says, lots of
pinging caused by using low octane fuel.

Not sure about the 99 4.0 I6 being a one-year run. They did make changes
to the engine but afaik the block and head are the same from the 93 I6.

You can get rebuilt 4.0 and even 4.7 strokers from several engine shops.
And probably at a substantial savings to stealership costs.
(sorry, don't have the link right with me) With that much damage your looking
at a full rebuild anyway, who knows what damage got caused when the metal started
flying.

> paul castle wrote:
>>
>> Dear Friends,
>>
>> Our company (www.tactics.com) owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0
>> L engine. Yesterday while driving on the highway its
>> engine blew up --- the top of piston in cylinder #5 is shrapnel and has
>> damaged that cylinder and also #6. Until then, the Jeep was
>> regularly maintained at a dealer here in San Jose, CA. There were no
>> advance signs of trouble -- no funny sounds, or even displays
>> on the instrument panel. Just sudden death. The vehicle has 72k miles,
>> 80% of which were from highway driving. It had the
>> standard 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
>>
>> I need your help, in the form of INFORMATION to help build a case
>> against Jeep to motivate them to replace the engine. I am looking for
>> other informatin and problems that can substantiate known problems with
>> the engine, catalytic converter, or ignition system.
>>
>> Today, multiple calls to the dealer and their 1-800-992-1997 service
>> center have, predictably, resulted in nothing. Just a
>> cold "its your problem and this call needs to end."
>>
>> HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP ...
>>
>> I think Jeep had problems with that engine and is keeping it quiet. I
>> need information to be armed agains those who say no at Jeep.
>>
>> I have learned that engine was only in production for that one model
>> year (highly unusual given the costs for designing and tooling
>> up for production). Unlike other engines, for this Jeep doesn't sell
>> complete engines for replacement, only short block and head.
>> The (non -Jeep) repair shop where the vehicle was towed was shocked at
>> that. They speculate that the blow up was caused by a
>> problem in the catalytic converter -- perhaps an explosion there and
>> back pressure causing another explosion in the cylinder.
>>
>> WHAT do you in this group know about this engine? Are there any
>> recurring problems or symptoms?
>>
>> Are there any known problems with the catalytic converter?
>>
>> WHAT hot buttons do you recommend pushing to motivate Jeep's management
>> to settle?
>>
>> HOW does Jeep approach situations like this? HOW to get over the moat
>>
>> What other ideas do you have that might explain why a piston would
>> suddely explode?
>>
>> Am I off base here? Am I wrong to expect that it is unusual for an
>> engine to explode? Am I wrong to think that its Jeep's responsibility
>> to fix their product under these unusual circumstances?
>>
>> Thanks for your help.
>> Paul

Mike Romain

Wow, that engine is a normally an indestructable one...

We have almost 300K km on ours and when it is down a liter of oil, we
are over the mileage tag for an oil change....

Just happened yesterday, it was down a liter so I asked my wife the km's
and it has been 6000+ km since the last change.

Sorry I can't help your cause, I have been on this group for a lot of
years and your problem is a brand new one, not at all common or even
ever happening to anyone that has posted here as far as I can
remember....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

paul castle wrote:
>
> Dear Friends,
>
> Our company (www.tactics.com) owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0
> L engine. Yesterday while driving on the highway its
> engine blew up --- the top of piston in cylinder #5 is shrapnel and has
> damaged that cylinder and also #6. Until then, the Jeep was
> regularly maintained at a dealer here in San Jose, CA. There were no
> advance signs of trouble -- no funny sounds, or even displays
> on the instrument panel. Just sudden death. The vehicle has 72k miles,
> 80% of which were from highway driving. It had the
> standard 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
>
> I need your help, in the form of INFORMATION to help build a case
> against Jeep to motivate them to replace the engine. I am looking for
> other informatin and problems that can substantiate known problems with
> the engine, catalytic converter, or ignition system.
>
> Today, multiple calls to the dealer and their 1-800-992-1997 service
> center have, predictably, resulted in nothing. Just a
> cold "its your problem and this call needs to end."
>
> HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP ...
>
> I think Jeep had problems with that engine and is keeping it quiet. I
> need information to be armed agains those who say no at Jeep.
>
> I have learned that engine was only in production for that one model
> year (highly unusual given the costs for designing and tooling
> up for production). Unlike other engines, for this Jeep doesn't sell
> complete engines for replacement, only short block and head.
> The (non -Jeep) repair shop where the vehicle was towed was shocked at
> that. They speculate that the blow up was caused by a
> problem in the catalytic converter -- perhaps an explosion there and
> back pressure causing another explosion in the cylinder.
>
> WHAT do you in this group know about this engine? Are there any
> recurring problems or symptoms?
>
> Are there any known problems with the catalytic converter?
>
> WHAT hot buttons do you recommend pushing to motivate Jeep's management
> to settle?
>
> HOW does Jeep approach situations like this? HOW to get over the moat
>
> What other ideas do you have that might explain why a piston would
> suddely explode?
>
> Am I off base here? Am I wrong to expect that it is unusual for an
> engine to explode? Am I wrong to think that its Jeep's responsibility
> to fix their product under these unusual circumstances?
>
> Thanks for your help.
> Paul

Jerry Bransford

You're not going to find many, if any, 4.0L engine owners (I've owned three
of them) that will say it's anything but a good solid reliable engine. I
don't know why yours blew but it's anything but common. The most common
adjective used to describe that particular engine is "bulletproof".

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
The Zen Hotdog, make me one with everything!
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"paul castle" <paulcastle80@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3F149B1B.F14E5041@yahoo.com...
> Dear Friends,
>
> Our company (www.tactics.com) owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0
> L engine. Yesterday while driving on the highway its
> engine blew up --- the top of piston in cylinder #5 is shrapnel and has
> damaged that cylinder and also #6. Until then, the Jeep was
> regularly maintained at a dealer here in San Jose, CA. There were no
> advance signs of trouble -- no funny sounds, or even displays
> on the instrument panel. Just sudden death. The vehicle has 72k miles,
> 80% of which were from highway driving. It had the
> standard 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
>
> I need your help, in the form of INFORMATION to help build a case
> against Jeep to motivate them to replace the engine. I am looking for
> other informatin and problems that can substantiate known problems with
> the engine, catalytic converter, or ignition system.
>
> Today, multiple calls to the dealer and their 1-800-992-1997 service
> center have, predictably, resulted in nothing. Just a
> cold "its your problem and this call needs to end."
>
>
> HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP ...
>
> I think Jeep had problems with that engine and is keeping it quiet. I
> need information to be armed agains those who say no at Jeep.
>
> I have learned that engine was only in production for that one model
> year (highly unusual given the costs for designing and tooling
> up for production). Unlike other engines, for this Jeep doesn't sell
> complete engines for replacement, only short block and head.
> The (non -Jeep) repair shop where the vehicle was towed was shocked at
> that. They speculate that the blow up was caused by a
> problem in the catalytic converter -- perhaps an explosion there and
> back pressure causing another explosion in the cylinder.
>
> WHAT do you in this group know about this engine? Are there any
> recurring problems or symptoms?
>
> Are there any known problems with the catalytic converter?
>
> WHAT hot buttons do you recommend pushing to motivate Jeep's management
> to settle?
>
> HOW does Jeep approach situations like this? HOW to get over the moat
>
> What other ideas do you have that might explain why a piston would
> suddely explode?
>
>
> Am I off base here? Am I wrong to expect that it is unusual for an
> engine to explode? Am I wrong to think that its Jeep's responsibility
> to fix their product under these unusual circumstances?
>
>
> Thanks for your help.
> Paul
>
>

steelwheel

paul castle <paulcastle80@yahoo.com> wrote in message
<3F149B1B.F14E5041@yahoo.com>,

>Dear Friends,
>
>Our company (www.tactics.com) owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0
>L engine. Yesterday while driving on the highway its
>engine blew up --- the top of piston in cylinder #5 is shrapnel and has
>damaged that cylinder and also #6. Until then, the Jeep was
>regularly maintained at a dealer here in San Jose, CA. There were no
>advance signs of trouble -- no funny sounds, or even displays
>on the instrument panel. Just sudden death. The vehicle has 72k miles,
>80% of which were from highway driving. It had the
>standard 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
>
>I need your help, in the form of INFORMATION to help build a case
>against Jeep to motivate them to replace the engine. I am looking for
>other informatin and problems that can substantiate known problems with
>the engine, catalytic converter, or ignition system.
>
>Today, multiple calls to the dealer and their 1-800-992-1997 service
>center have, predictably, resulted in nothing. Just a
>cold "its your problem and this call needs to end."
>
>
>HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP ...
>
>I think Jeep had problems with that engine and is keeping it quiet.

Your thinking something does not make it fact.

>I
>need information to be armed agains those who say no at Jeep.
>
>I have learned that engine was only in production for that one model
>year (highly unusual given the costs for designing and tooling
>up for production).

Also highly incorrect. The 4.0L engine was introduced in 1987, and is
based on a design that dates from the 1960's.

>Unlike other engines, for this Jeep doesn't sell
>complete engines for replacement, only short block and head.

How much more do you want? A 'short block and head' is called a long
block.

>The (non -Jeep) repair shop where the vehicle was towed was shocked at
>that. They speculate that the blow up was caused by a
>problem in the catalytic converter -- perhaps an explosion there and
>back pressure causing another explosion in the cylinder.

Your repair shop is clueless, then.

>
>WHAT do you in this group know about this engine?

It's a proven design with no durability issues.

>Are there any
>recurring problems or symptoms?

They tend to leak oil at the valve cover, rear main seal, and cylinder
head gasket.

>
>Are there any known problems with the catalytic converter?

They break up and rattle.

>
>WHAT hot buttons do you recommend pushing to motivate Jeep's management
>to settle?
>
>HOW does Jeep approach situations like this? HOW to get over the moat
>
>What other ideas do you have that might explain why a piston would
>suddely explode?

Bad luck. I saw a Toyota engine that put a rod through the block
around 50k miles. It was full of clean oil, and was owned by the
proverbial little old lady. It was well out of the time warranty, but
only a few thousand miles over the mileage warranty. Toyota fixed it.

>
>
>Am I off base here?

Yes.

>Am I wrong to expect that it is unusual for an
>engine to explode?

No. Unusual, but hardly unprecedented.

>Am I wrong to think that its Jeep's responsibility
>to fix their product under these unusual circumstances?

Yes. You will not force DC to exceed their warranty. Remember, you
have doubled the mileage originally warrantied by the factory.

>
>
>Thanks for your help.
>Paul
>

DeepDiver

4.0 ...215,000 miles and doesn't even burn any oil! Sorry Paul but I
don't think you are going to find your ammo here. I'm just another one
that thinks the 4.0 is a great engine. I did have a Honda motorcycle
once that blew like that. The piston had seperated into two parts
right above the wrist pin. I figure it was a bad piston from day one,
but since it was out of warranty I just fixed it and went on with my
life. If your jeep had 36K miles on it then yes maybe Jeep would do
something but at twice the miles of the warranty?

On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 17:23:55 -0700, paul castle
<paulcastle80@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Dear Friends,
>
>Our company (www.tactics.com) owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0
>L engine. Yesterday while driving on the highway its
>engine blew up --- the top of piston in cylinder #5 is shrapnel and has
>damaged that cylinder and also #6. Until then, the Jeep was
>regularly maintained at a dealer here in San Jose, CA. There were no
>advance signs of trouble -- no funny sounds, or even displays
>on the instrument panel. Just sudden death. The vehicle has 72k miles,
>80% of which were from highway driving. It had the
>standard 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
>
>I need your help, in the form of INFORMATION to help build a case
>against Jeep to motivate them to replace the engine. I am looking for
>other informatin and problems that can substantiate known problems with
>the engine, catalytic converter, or ignition system.
>
>Today, multiple calls to the dealer and their 1-800-992-1997 service
>center have, predictably, resulted in nothing. Just a
>cold "its your problem and this call needs to end."
>
>
>HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP ...
>
>I think Jeep had problems with that engine and is keeping it quiet. I
>need information to be armed agains those who say no at Jeep.
>
>I have learned that engine was only in production for that one model
>year (highly unusual given the costs for designing and tooling
>up for production). Unlike other engines, for this Jeep doesn't sell
>complete engines for replacement, only short block and head.
>The (non -Jeep) repair shop where the vehicle was towed was shocked at
>that. They speculate that the blow up was caused by a
>problem in the catalytic converter -- perhaps an explosion there and
>back pressure causing another explosion in the cylinder.
>
>WHAT do you in this group know about this engine? Are there any
>recurring problems or symptoms?
>
>Are there any known problems with the catalytic converter?
>
>WHAT hot buttons do you recommend pushing to motivate Jeep's management
>to settle?
>
>HOW does Jeep approach situations like this? HOW to get over the moat
>
>What other ideas do you have that might explain why a piston would
>suddely explode?
>
>
>Am I off base here? Am I wrong to expect that it is unusual for an
>engine to explode? Am I wrong to think that its Jeep's responsibility
>to fix their product under these unusual circumstances?
>
>
>Thanks for your help.
>Paul
>

Jamie

Sugar in the gas tank?

Anyway, since this is such a "rare and catastrophic" thing, you may interest
Jeep in buying the old girl from you so they can "study it". Try that angle.
Tell Jeep you will donate the motor to their "Field Failure Analysis
Engineers" for the cost of a new motor plus $5000.

paul castle wrote:

> Dear Friends,
>
> Our company (www.tactics.com) owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0
> L engine. Yesterday while driving on the highway its
> engine blew up --- the top of piston in cylinder #5 is shrapnel and has
> damaged that cylinder and also #6. Until then, the Jeep was
> regularly maintained at a dealer here in San Jose, CA. There were no
> advance signs of trouble -- no funny sounds, or even displays
> on the instrument panel. Just sudden death. The vehicle has 72k miles,
> 80% of which were from highway driving. It had the
> standard 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
>
> I need your help, in the form of INFORMATION to help build a case
> against Jeep to motivate them to replace the engine. I am looking for
> other informatin and problems that can substantiate known problems with
> the engine, catalytic converter, or ignition system.
>
> Today, multiple calls to the dealer and their 1-800-992-1997 service
> center have, predictably, resulted in nothing. Just a
> cold "its your problem and this call needs to end."
>
> HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP ...
>
> I think Jeep had problems with that engine and is keeping it quiet. I
> need information to be armed agains those who say no at Jeep.
>
> I have learned that engine was only in production for that one model
> year (highly unusual given the costs for designing and tooling
> up for production). Unlike other engines, for this Jeep doesn't sell
> complete engines for replacement, only short block and head.
> The (non -Jeep) repair shop where the vehicle was towed was shocked at
> that. They speculate that the blow up was caused by a
> problem in the catalytic converter -- perhaps an explosion there and
> back pressure causing another explosion in the cylinder.
>
> WHAT do you in this group know about this engine? Are there any
> recurring problems or symptoms?
>
> Are there any known problems with the catalytic converter?
>
> WHAT hot buttons do you recommend pushing to motivate Jeep's management
> to settle?
>
> HOW does Jeep approach situations like this? HOW to get over the moat
>
> What other ideas do you have that might explain why a piston would
> suddely explode?
>
> Am I off base here? Am I wrong to expect that it is unusual for an
> engine to explode? Am I wrong to think that its Jeep's responsibility
> to fix their product under these unusual circumstances?
>
> Thanks for your help.
> Paul

FrankW

I have an 01TJ and the FSM say the cat (er cats) is to last the lifetime
of the vehicle. What is the proposed lifetime anyway?
I've asked this question earlier and someone responded with
"after the warranty" :-)
As for the piston blowing up, I heard water in gas can have bad effects.

Robert Bills wrote:
>>Our company (www.tactics.com) owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0
>>
>>>L engine. Yesterday while driving on the highway its
>>>engine blew up --- the top of piston in cylinder #5 is shrapnel and has
>>>damaged that cylinder and also #6.
>>
>
>>The vehicle has 72k miles,
>
>
>>I need your help, in the form of INFORMATION to help build a case
>>
>>>against Jeep to motivate them to replace the engine.
>>
>
> The ONLY way to demonstrate that a blown motor in a vehicle well beyond
> warranty is a manufacturing defect is to take the motor to a high end, quality
> engine rebuilder, and pay for a teardown to determine the true cause of the
> failure and a detailed written opinion.
>
> Once you've done that, maybe someone here can offer some advice. Until then,
> the cause of the failure is just a guess.
>
> At 72,000 miles, which is beyond even the federally mandated extended warranty
> for emissions equipment, IF the blowup was caused by a bad catalytic converter
> it will be nearly impossible to build any kind of case against the mfr, in part
> because the cat is a part that requires periodic replacement, often before
> 70,000 miles.
>
> Robert Bills
> KG6LMV
> Orange County CA
>
> http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/jeep/...p-l/billsr.htm
> http://www.RobertBills.com