4.0 catastrophic failure pix

[cdnabn49]

here are a couple pictures of my 96 XJ 4.0l engine which had a catastrophic failure at 308,000 km's

 

[MapleDitch]

Most impressive. What did it sound like just prior to detonation?:worship:

 

[mattbred]

Most impressive. What did it sound like just prior to detonation?:worship:

Better yet what did it sound like after detonation? Surely that didn't stop the engine from running.. ;p

 

[cdnabn49]

a very loud bang then nothing... into neutral and coasted to a stop... frankly it was scarry as I was on the highway...

 

[ChevelleSSLS6]

One side of me says 'hey that's awesome'

But it would suck to have happen. I've heard of the rods letting go just cruisin around after about 200k miles (308,000x0.6 (to convert to miles)=184,xxx miles.

Scary thing is, my XJ is at 206k.

 

[hubs97xj]

Damn. I'm hoping mine doesn't do that. Doing a motor swap?

 

[cdnabn49]

Damn. I'm hoping mine doesn't do that. Doing a motor swap?

yep just in the process of ripping out the old motor... I have another 96 4.0l with 86,000km on it... the dam tranny bolts are ceased so I am taking a break tomorrow and spending the day with the family... hopefully I can get them out and then the motor swapped out...

 

[veedubshafer]

Wow, low miles too...I just swapped IN a '88 4.0 into my '90 with 291k on the clock LOL ... but thats a RENIX block so its good to go another 100k or better

 

[winterbeater]

When you guys swap in a motor, do you pull the pan and retorque the bottom end?

 

[92DripCherokee]

Man, thats a bummer.
which number piston was that? It looks like #2.

 

[killer98xjsport]

I did the same thing. # 2 went on mine. Picked up parts of the pistion off the street.

 

[cdnabn49]

I only saw the damage when I pulled the intake/exhaust manifolds off last night... I just thought it came through the pan...

here is my replacement....

 

[Red90Laredo]

ouch- was it knocking at all or any other warning signs?

 

[cdnabn49]

knocking slightly then withing 3 days it got loud then KAPUT!

 

[j99xj]

Was that an original engine? If so that shouldn't happen if you have been changing the oil, running proper octane gas, not overheating or sucking in water.

If the engine was rebuilt at some point by a second rate (and probably illiterate) mechanic then I could understand.

 

[ECKSJAY]

Was that an original engine? If so that shouldn't happen if you have been changing the oil, running proper octane gas, not overheating or sucking in water.

If the engine was rebuilt at some point by a second rate (and probably illiterate) mechanic then I could understand.

Is this post a troll attempt?

 

[Red90Laredo]

kinda what I was thinking- these 4.0s are stout, but they do not run without rod bearings for long.

 

[cdnabn49]

from what I am guessing just by looking at it... it suffered from some oil starvation on the bearings which may have lead to my current situation... no rebuild original motor. Yes on oil changes and maintenance. As to how and why, I am not psychic... the simple fact is that it died and that it sucks!

I just thought I'd post some pix to show what can happen to a motor that goes bad... who knows it could have been a "Monday / Friday" motor or a defective part or was missing something. It all start with a cracked exhaust manifold 4 months ago... so here I am.

If it wasn't for some really good people on :: I'd be screwed! Kudos to the good guys!

 

[scottcolwell]

IMHO- Ahhhhh, don't look that bad, put some duck tape on it and keep going!

 

[lawsoncl]

IMHO- Ahhhhh, don't look that bad, put some duck tape on it and keep going!

Well at least pull the pan and remove the broken bits first. Then a good dose of JB weld. You might have some vibration from the missing cylinder though.