Jeep Liberty Engine Blown, Limited Swap Options, Need Advice

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j&j

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Oct 10, 2011
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Bought a 2.4L 4cyl 5spd liberty, which is rare in itself. seemed to of run fine for some time then had a random power loss, never would start back up.

Took it to local shop, we pulled the plugs, noticed one was stuck and very good, we got it out in the end but not sure what happened. Tested for compression and the motor had almost zero across the board in all cylinders! Opened it up and the tops of the pistons were heavily damaged and the mechanic said they were hitting the plugs somehow? I've honestly never heard of this, but anyhow....


What do I do? I can't find a motor for this car on the cheap. Looked at a Neon 2.4L but it was too different other than the base block.


How about a Wrangler 2.4L?

I'm open the suggestions and thoughts, maybe something outside the box? I only paid 2400 bucks for the car, so much for a supposed steal I thought I got.
 
phucheneh

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
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...just swap short blocks?

Did it have the wrong plugs in it? Some have a much longer threaded portion than others.

Did you actually see the pistons? You sure it wasn't just detonation that ate them up?
 
cardiac

cardiac

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,082
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Did it break the timing belt (Is the 2.4 an interference engine?), and the pistons hit the valves, and not the plugs?
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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The 2.4 is not an interference engine, apparently.

So what in the world could have happened? Hard to believe it was running okay for a while and then somehow the plugs contacted the pistons.
 
Jimzz

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
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Post pictures and also the part numbers of the plugs.

There is no way the pistons can hit the spark plugs unless the wrong plugs were put in. If that was the case you would notice it right awy from the bad running and noise. Then how would that explain the zero compression unless it put a hole in the piston?

Something does not add up with what you are saying.

EDIT
Dayco shows that as a interference engine. So the valves could have hit the pistons if the timing belt slipped or was put on wrong. Also check the Timing Belt Tensioner to make sure it did not go bad and cause the belt to go loose.

Zero compression plus the piston damage points to the timing belt going bad someway. Not sure why your mechanic thinks it was the spark plugs?
 
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J

j&j

Senior member
Oct 10, 2011
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It's just some tiny cheap mechanic shop I've been using, jeep is at the shop.... Anyway, plugs were definitely correct and they didn't seem damaged like something was hitting them. Someone on a jeep forum suggested timing belt breaking too at high rpm and doing the damage.

I guess what's done is done, the motor is definitely toast though, can't find a 2.4 liberty motor at any junkyard and the few on eBay are stupid overpriced so I'm not sure what to do. I need suggestions for a new motor really.
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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Why not get it rebuilt?

Looks like Wiki is wrong and the 2.4L edz is an interference design.
 
Jimzz

Jimzz

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Oct 23, 2012
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j&j said:
It's just some tiny cheap mechanic shop I've been using, jeep is at the shop.... Anyway, plugs were definitely correct and they didn't seem damaged like something was hitting them. Someone on a jeep forum suggested timing belt breaking too at high rpm and doing the damage.

I guess what's done is done, the motor is definitely toast though, can't find a 2.4 liberty motor at any junkyard and the few on eBay are stupid overpriced so I'm not sure what to do. I need suggestions for a new motor really.
Click to expand...


As long as its pulled from another RWD jeep like yours it should be fine. Call local Pull junkyards for one.

You could always rebuild yours. Even if you get a "new" core it will need at least a re-ring and gaskets plus a full timing belt kit.
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
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81
Looking at the 3.7 swap, that's way over complicated to make it worth your while. Basically the entire front end would need to be swapped out.

That being said, I think that the bellhousing of the AX15 transmission will mate up to a whole host of Toyota engines, if you are going to go nuts might as well do it fun. You could mate it to the SRT 2.4L.
 
C

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
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iamwiz82 said:
Looking at the 3.7 swap, that's way over complicated to make it worth your while. Basically the entire front end would need to be swapped out.

That being said, I think that the bellhousing of the AX15 transmission will mate up to a whole host of Toyota engines, if you are going to go nuts might as well do it fun. You could mate it to the SRT 2.4L.
Click to expand...

The turbo 2.4 swap would be badass in a Liberty... I vote for this.
The 3.7 is the most underwhelming engine ever, not worth it even for minimal work. The 2.4 is usually a reliable engine...
 
T

Topweasel

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2000
5,437
1,659
136
CraigRT said:
The turbo 2.4 swap would be badass in a Liberty... I vote for this.
The 3.7 is the most underwhelming engine ever, not worth it even for minimal work. The 2.4 is usually a reliable engine...
Click to expand...

For all it supposed torque and sound it made when you gunned it the 3.7 in my now dead Nitro barely moved it worth a damn.
 
Throckmorton

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
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slag said:
Yeah, just "slap" a few batteries into it, mount a solar panel on the roof, and thats all that's needed.

....
Click to expand...

It's probably easier and cheaper than finding a rare engine, shipping an object of that weight, and having it installed.
 
J

j&j

Senior member
Oct 10, 2011
246
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OK, given I can only do some basic stuff, I'm going to be paying a guy to do a swap, my question to those who have ever done something like this. Wouldn't it be fairly difficult for the various sensors, all the connectors, hoses, etc. to match up to a different motor?
 
B

B-Riz

Golden Member
Feb 15, 2011
1,595
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j&j said:
OK, given I can only do some basic stuff, I'm going to be paying a guy to do a swap, my question to those who have ever done something like this. Wouldn't it be fairly difficult for the various sensors, all the connectors, hoses, etc. to match up to a different motor?
Click to expand...

Different how?

A replacement motor, depending on what the yard sells, could have all the sensors on it or you may have to take them off the old motor.

All connectors are unique to what they plug in to, and the total wiring is just different sub-systems that are physically related to where they go.

If you have a friend that is handy and a place to work, it can be done yourself.

You can rent a hoist and everything else is hand tools.
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
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If the rebuild kit is $350.00 at Rock Auto, why wouldn't that be the best way to go? Get the kit and pay for the labor? Assuming the engines are difficult to find in decent shape.

The valves are about $12 each if new ones are needed.

DNJ Master Rebuild Kits typically contain:

Full Gasket Set (Upper and Lower sets)
Piston Ring Set
Piston Set
Main Bearing Set
Rod Bearing Set
Thrust Washer (if needed)
Oil Pump
Timing Belt or Timing Chain Kit (whichever the application calls for)
Click to expand...
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
IMO a vehicle like that isn't worth spending the massive amount of time to do a proper engine rebuild.

I basically refuse to believe that a decent used motor is THAT hard to find....

I suggest contacting a good online-oriented salvage yard. You should be able to find a decent used pull from a wrecked car for $1000-$1500 max. Another $500-$750 for labor (~8 hours). It might take them a few weeks to find one, but they're out there.
 
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