Jump to content

3.6 Pentastar hydrolock repair


A-man930
 Share

Recommended Posts

Been driving it for about a week and over 600 miles, so I feel like I can show this off now. :D

 

I took the wife's JK through a river crossing too fast and drowned the aftermarket cold air kit with a big ol' splash of water. She shut down immediately. After restarting, we drove in an hour home with a slight noise audible. Drove it the next morning to church before I decided to pull the pan and inspect. Turns out we bent three connecting rods.

20250803_202953.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Before anyone asks, the water came in with the engine at pretty high revs, so I'm thinking pulling the plugs before to clear the water would not have helped.

 

I'm very grateful that this thing didn't decide to grenade itself in the hours I drove it. Upon disassembly, the damage was confirmed to be isolated to cylinders 3, 5 and 6. No visible damage to the crankshaft, minimal scuffing in the bores, and no scary debris in the pan or oil pump. 

20250811_194856.jpg

 

20250811_212413.jpg

 

20250807_191258.jpg

 

20250803_211543.jpg

 

20250811_202544.jpg

 

20250811_212040.jpg

 

Screenshot_20250811_214438_Messages.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After some back and forth with a Chrysler Master Tech friend of mine, I decided it was a safe bet to try a minimalist repair:

Three new pistons, 3 used rods, a full set of rod bearings and piston rings, head gaskets, timing cover gaskets, windage tray bolts, and a handful of new lash adjusters and rockers.

I touched the scuffed areas of the bores with some 400 Grit, washed it out, cleaned up the three pistons to be reused, and put her back together.

20250821_202719.jpg

 

20250824_140615_exported_3216.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, Ωhm said:

 

Did she have kind words for you?

Hopefully the words were, "Get that Comanche done"!

 

I'm glad that you didn't get too much damage internally.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

Hopefully the words were, "Get that Comanche done"!

 

I'm glad that you didn't get too much damage internally.

 

Those were most definitely NOT her words. They went something more like "you're using your project money for this, dummy!"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...