Help! Do I need a new engine?? '99 Jeep Wrangler w/ 30K.?

Question

What happened? Any ideas? I took my 6-cyl Jeep Wrangler in this AM for a 30K tune-up, including an oil change. Just called the garage and they told me there's a problem. Said they changed the oil, changed the plugs, turned on the heat and the engine seized. Asked if I've been having trouble. NO! Jeep runs like a top, including on the 7-mile trip to the garage this AM. I have the heat on all this time this time of yr too. The heat hasn't run well for 5 yrs, but I live in Seattle and hasn't been an issue really. I did ask them to take a look tho. What happened here?????

Thanks for the feedback so far. The only reason I've EVER heard of an engine seizing is lack of oil. I'm suspecting at this point the garage f'd up. It's a reputable place and have always had my oil changed there, plus they helped with a minor tire issue a few yrs back at no charge, but I guess anyone can screw up. Just frantic as this is my baby and Ole Blue has been ULTRA reliable

Alright - still no answers on this, but the shop swears they had oil in the Jeep and no leak. Told me right up front they have insurance for this. The shop mgr said he's questioned the mechanic several times and other mechanics in the shop with him. I tend to think they're being truthful with me. Talked to my mechanic bro too and he's also puzzled. At this point, thinking that maybe something broke or broke off to seize the block? Rare, but I've heard defective spark plugs could maybe do this? Also, could be a problem with the timing valve? I'm sick over this. I had a perfectly functioning vehicle this AM!

Well thanks to everyone for the answers. Just about all were good. However, there's a new twist! Just as I was preparing to have the Jeep towed yesterday (and was hopping mad because the tow truck was there but the Jeep was still on the lift and "apart" and the tow truck driver couldn't wait) - I get a call 20 minutes after i left to meet the Jeep at a new shop and was told the Jeep started! YUP - IT STARTED. I picked it up today and it's running fine. I'm taking it in Monday though to a different place to have EVERYTHING checked out. And I asked about he spark plugs too. I still think the mechanic screwed somethign up and isn't willing to come clean, but hey, I've got Blue back!

Answer 1

Oil seems to be what most people think is the problem, and it very well may be, but one other thing to consider is if the shop may have gotten the plug wires mixed up. If the wires are on the wrong plugs the engine won't fire correctly and it won't run right or may not run at all making it seem the motor is locked up. Hope this may give you one other option to look at.

Answer 2

Giving the benefit of the doubt to the garage the there was oil, go there and have them pull the plugs. Preferrably in front of you. They should hand you 6 nearly perfect plugs with some very minor pitting on the electrodes. I'm thinking the guy put in some very long plugs. If they look fine or even brand new, point a strong flashlight down the plug holes. The piston tops should be black. If you see anything shiny or fresh aluminum the plugs have made contact. The pistons are made of aluminum and the plugs are made of steel/ceramic. If they hit the plug would easily punch a hole into the piston top. Conceivably if the plug was long enough it coulld snap a connecting rod in just a few seconds.

Everybody else is right though. Get a lawer and demand a NEW engine, not a rebuilt.

Good luck.

Answer 3

First of all turning on the heat has nothing at all to do with an engine seizeing, an engine will seize for two reasons only, one is no oil and the bearings have far to much friction creating heat and melting moving parts of the engine to non moving parts, not good. Second reason is if you have a very high performance motor with very close tolerances if your temps get up too high you aluminum pistions may expand faster than the cylinders and freeze in postion. This doesnt happen often at all, and I don't think ever in a jeep, So I would stay they my have been running the car with no oil for a time, or your oil pump failed for some reason starving the motor of oil.

Answer 4

Sounds like they either forgot to put the oil in, or didn't put in the drain plug before adding the oil. A jeep 6 cylinder engine is a bullet proof motor, and usually get over 200,000 miles+ on them without major mechanical repairs, your engine is practically new so I would start finding out as to why the "mechanic" didn't double check his work before starting that engine. Checking the heater wouldn't have anything to do with a motor seizing.

Answer 5

You may need a new engine now. Sounds like they forgot to add the oil after the oil change. A lawyer may be in order. Your heater should have nothing to do with it. Did they do any work on the radiator? Forgetting to add water would make it over heat and if there was no oil, it would seize up quick. Sounds like you need a new auto repair shop. I go to my dealership. I pay a little more, but I trust them.

Answer 6

Sounds like someone is buying you a new long block. Now that that is settled. Only accept a new one. At 30 miles that jeep was almost new.

Check out the following sites for engines.

Good luck. Don't back down. Contact the BBB if you need too and get a good lawyer.

Answer 7

What?! With 30,000 miles?! You practically have a BRAND new engine in that jeep. I would highly suspect them of breaking your engine. The only way an engine siezes is when it has no motor oil. I would suspect them of forgetting to put motor oil in your engine...

The heater has nothing to do with the engine siezing... In Iowa during the winter - I had the heater on MAX for an hour or more. (yeah it was cold).

Dude... most engines today should easily get to 100,000 miles with the least amount of care.

This shop sounds very fishy to me especially since they don't know what happened to it. It broke while it was in their shop - they fix it.

Answer 8

A few things couldve happened like they are telling ya and they couldve put in faulty plugs and timing jumped and now ya do need a new engine because if timing jumps yer push rods and valves are gone because of missfire I would also beware of mechanics find sumone you absolutly trust from now on even those at a dealers will shaft ya to line their pockets. Ive been there. The oil situation is a definite possibility cuz if they didnt put any in or "FERGOT" to put the oil plug back on yes it will seize completley and its gone. Get yer vehicle find a TRUSTWORTHY mechanic and get them 2 asses tha damage and how it happened ya may have a good case in court on yer hands. Good luck. Ya didnt get yer vehichle from Free Bridge Auto did ya, LOL.
No really that how we got burned.

Answer 9

It sounds like the shop screwed up and don't want to admit it.
If there not trying to take responsibility now your probably never get them to admit it. If you have to surprise them have a tow truck show up and take it to another mechanic to tell you what caused the problem then have him put it in writing. Take the other guy to court and sue them,and when you sue make them pay all the cost including the tow truck.

Answer 10

As far as fit....yes you can. Same engine blocks (I have a spare in my garage) so it will bolt right up. As far as the legal aspect, In smog controlled states such as California, you can not put an earlier engine into a smog controlled vehicle (but who would know). Good Luck One more thing....are both engines attached to the same transmissions IE: both manuals or automatics? If not, you will need to swap the bell housings.