No drain for water in stock 2011 Grand Cherokee air intake?

[haven]

I came across a forum thread on JeepGarage.org about a new 2011 Grand Cherokee with a blown V6 engine. The dealer says water got into the air intake, resulting in hydro-lock that destroyed the motor. The driver claims that he didn't drive into water deeper than 12 inches, and that the failure occurred hours after crossing the deep puddle.

Inspecting the air intake path, the driver noted that there is no way for water that happens to collect in the air intake to drain out.

http://jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=15328

 

[x32792]

I came across a forum thread on JeepGarage.org about a new 2011 Grand Cherokee with a blown V6 engine. The dealer says water got into the air intake, resulting in hydro-lock that destroyed the motor. The driver claims that he didn't drive into water deeper than 12 inches, and that the failure occurred hours after crossing the deep puddle.

Inspecting the air intake path, the driver noted that there is no way for water that happens to collect in the air intake to drain out.

http://jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=15328

Wowzers.

 

[K2ZJ]

I am suspicious as are most people that replied. I didn't read all of the posts, but 12" of water at 5mph? Something doesn't add up.

 

[User_Name]

Something doesn't add up, the guy claims he drove for several hundred miles after hitting the water.
I have seen several hydro locked vehicles and they didn't even make it out of the water let alone drive several hundred mile as stated by the vehicle owner.

Typical auto manufactures BS

They advertise one thing and then deny claims as soon as something goes wrong

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7suzXENcoDs&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Commercial "Fording"[/ame]

 

[K2ZJ]

Re-read it. He was on a 700 mile trip and was 25 from home when it locked up.

 

[XXXpedition]

No drain for water in air intake?

i think it's great! you don't have to close the drains when you put a snorkel in ;-)

 

[Maximus Ram]

Ya, sounds like the stealership just doesn't want to honor the warrenty.
If the Jeep was in water deeper than specified, I would suspect that water would be found in other areas of the Jeep....

 

[alexrex20]

haha, there's only 2 possible scenarios:

1) engine failed and chrysler is avoiding warranty by claiming hydo-lock; they put the water in the airbox and plenum.

2) owner is full of crap and drove through water much deeper than 20mph, much faster than 5mph.

 

[x32792]

The Take Away

Regardless of the circumstances, the Take Away for me is a Chrysler 3.6L motor had a catastrophic failure which was not covered under warranty and the $8,000 remedy (rebuild) with limited guarantee wasn't too customer friendly either.

 

[cwsqbm]

Typical auto manufactures BS

They advertise one thing and then deny claims as soon as something goes wrong

Reminds me of Mitsubishi scanning the internet for evidence that certain Evos were tracked and then denying warranty claims, in spite of the car being sold as race ready. Or worse, Nissan denying warranty claims on the GT-R's $20,000 transmission because the customer used launch control to match the magazine 0-60 times.

Still, I agree something about the owner's story doesn't ad up - 12" of water at 5mph doesn't get any water in the intake. The cost ($8000) is probably similar to most new cars if you had the dealer replace an engine.

 

[XXXpedition]

on my wrangler i had water over the hood without a snorkel - as long as you create a wake (with steady movement) it shouldn't be a problem. i even drove a toyota celica through 12" of water...

i think there's something fishy - on somebodies side...

 

[purdueXJ]

I don't think Chrysler would risk bad PR right now, I'm betting that the guy isn't telling the whole truth and is just looking for some sympathy.