A Jeep Wrangler driver heard a bang that sounded like a gunshot. Instead of pulling over, the driver figured the Jeep had run over something and kept going, even though the vehicle began losing power.
About a quarter-mile later, black smoke started coming from the Jeep. The driver finally stopped, but the engine was already in terrible shape.
When a mechanic inspected the 2009 Wrangler, he found a huge hole in the engine block. A photo he shared on Reddit shows broken metal and engine parts showing through the hole.
The mechanic had plenty to deal with, but the damage wasn’t what prompted his Reddit post. He was trying to remove the ruined engine and had run into a set of bolts that seemed almost impossible to loosen.
One Loud Bang
The mechanic shared the photo on Reddit’s r/MechanicAdvice community, where readers quickly noticed the hole in the block.
One commenter joked that the mechanic had a bigger problem than a few stubborn bolts. Others asked what happened to the engine.
The mechanic explained that the driver thought the loud bang was something hitting the underside of the Jeep, and didn’t realize how serious the problem was until smoke appeared.
The mechanic never identified what broke first. He also didn’t mention whether any warning lights came on before the driver stopped.
Almost Running Dry
The mechanic said he found very little oil left in the engine and no coolant.
According to the official 2009 Jeep Wrangler owner’s manual, the 3.8-liter V6 takes six quarts of oil, including the filter.
Jeep warns drivers to stop and shut off the engine as soon as possible if the oil-pressure warning light comes on. The manual also explains that the light warns about oil pressure, not how much oil remains.
We don’t know whether low oil or coolant caused the failure. With a large hole in the engine block, either fluid could have escaped after something inside broke. The mechanic didn’t say when the fluids were lost.
Getting It Out
Even with the engine ruined, the mechanic still had to remove it from the Jeep. The trouble was reaching the bellhousing bolts, which connect the engine to the transmission.
Their location left little room for tools, and loosening them was proving difficult.
The Reddit post didn’t include a repair cost or identify the cause of the engine failure. The mechanic was more concerned with getting the damaged engine out.
As for the stubborn bolts, he joked that Hercules must have tightened them.