Hello all, I am new here and I couldn't find any related threads about my issue. I recently acquired a 2006 with 177K on the clock. It is in great shape and appears to be taken care of pretty well. However, I knew when I got it I was looking at an oil cooler, HG or Head problem. Oil and water has mixed, literally everywhere.
I just got it tore down and the head off. I couldn't find any evidence of bolt stretch or HG failure. I tilted the head a different direction and heard a metal rattle sound. I have found a plug at #2 cylinder, next to the exhaust valve, that seems to have gone through the seating hole and is now trapped and rattling around the interior of the head. I can see it, but haven't pulled it out yet. I have never seen this design, or seen a plug go through the plug hole before. I have attached the image I found online, and it is part #30.[img]https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/parts-list/2005-jeep-liberty/engine-cylinder-head.[img]html?Diagram=00i95655[/img] Any thoughts?
My next step is to take to a shop I have used before to repair some 3.9 and 5.9 heads and have them clean, inspect, and machine head for reassembly. I am hoping to either put a new plug in, or machine slightly larger for a different plug if I cannot put the OEM size back in. Has anyone else encountered this problem? I am usually the rule, and rarely the exception, so I am braced for a "no".