P0302 Cylinder Misfire on 2015 V6 - Bad Head?

[Bitmapped]

I have a 2015 Journey with the 3.6L V6 and about 78,000 miles on it. Earlier this month, I got a check engine light while idling stopped in traffic. I pulled the code, P0302 Cylinder #2 misfire, and cleared the codes. A couple days later, while idling in a parking space, CEL with same code popped up again. It went away on its own a couple days later. I thought maybe it was a bad tank of gas and moved on.

 

A couple fill-ups and about 1,000 miles later, the CEL came back with same P0302 code. Idle seems a bit rough but I notice any problems when moving.

 

I know the 2011-2012 Pentastars had a lot of problems with the left-side cylinder head causing cylinder misfires, to the point where leak testing the cylinders was the first diagnosis step. I understand later head designs after 2012-2013 were supposed to fix the problem but I've seen some sporadic postings of 2014 Pentastars with head issues.

 

Is the thinking even with the newer vehicles that misfires in the left bank are most likely a head problem? I'm trying to figure out if I should first try to replace the plugs/coil pack myself or should just take it into the dealer. I don't want to get into a big dealer bill if it's probably something I could have handled myself or had my local mechanic do.

 

Thanks for any guidance!

Edited November 25, 2018 by Bitmapped

[jkeaton]

I’d start by swapping the coil and plug to another cylinder to see if th problem follows.  

[2late4u]

3 hours ago, Bitmapped said:

I have a 2015 Journey with the 3.6L V6 and about 78,000 miles on it. Earlier this month, I got a check engine light while idling stopped in traffic. I pulled the code, P0302 Cylinder #2 misfire, and cleared the codes. A couple days later, while idling in a parking space, CEL with same code popped up again. It went away on its own a couple days later. I thought maybe it was a bad tank of gas and moved on.

 

A couple fill-ups and about 1,000 miles later, the CEL came back with same P0302 code. Idle seems a bit rough but I notice any problems when moving.

 

I know the 2011-2012 Pentastars had a lot of problems with the left-side cylinder head causing cylinder misfires, to the point where leak testing the cylinders was the first diagnosis step. I understand later head designs after 2012-2013 were supposed to fix the problem but I've seen some sporadic postings of 2014 Pentastars with head issues.

 

Is the thinking even with the newer vehicles that misfires in the left bank are most likely a head problem? I'm trying to figure out if I should first try to replace the plugs/coil pack myself or should just take it into the dealer. I don't want to get into a big dealer bill if it's probably something I could have handled myself or had my local mechanic do.

 

Thanks for any guidance!

if you feel you can replace the plugs yourself ,do it and as jkeaton  suggest swap the coil packs to see if the error code swaps to the different plug, you are getting close to the time to do the plugs anyway. also i have checked with several local garages and their price to replace plugs are about the same or more than my local dealership so i am going to go with the dealership myself here in a little bit with my 14 crossroad, i have about 84 k on it now.will probally let them do the coolant flush at the  same time i know more $$ for them to do but then its on the record i had it done and i have the max life warranty. so that way i am covered ,let us know what you find out...good luck

[DodgeCares]

On 11/25/2018 at 2:45 PM, Bitmapped said:

I have a 2015 Journey with the 3.6L V6 and about 78,000 miles on it. Earlier this month, I got a check engine light while idling stopped in traffic. I pulled the code, P0302 Cylinder #2 misfire, and cleared the codes. A couple days later, while idling in a parking space, CEL with same code popped up again. It went away on its own a couple days later. I thought maybe it was a bad tank of gas and moved on.

 

A couple fill-ups and about 1,000 miles later, the CEL came back with same P0302 code. Idle seems a bit rough but I notice any problems when moving.

 

I know the 2011-2012 Pentastars had a lot of problems with the left-side cylinder head causing cylinder misfires, to the point where leak testing the cylinders was the first diagnosis step. I understand later head designs after 2012-2013 were supposed to fix the problem but I've seen some sporadic postings of 2014 Pentastars with head issues.

 

Is the thinking even with the newer vehicles that misfires in the left bank are most likely a head problem? I'm trying to figure out if I should first try to replace the plugs/coil pack myself or should just take it into the dealer. I don't want to get into a big dealer bill if it's probably something I could have handled myself or had my local mechanic do.

 

Thanks for any guidance!

 

Hi Bitmapped,

We understand why this would be concerning. Please feel free to let us know if you decide to have your dealer look into this. Just send us a private message and we will gladly look into this further for you.

Lydia

Dodge Social Care Specialist

[Elisa]

Has there been an update on this? The same thing is happening to my 2015 3.6 DJ and I have replaced all spark plugs and coil packs. I have replaced a couple of them twice in 4 months.

 

[John/Horace]

Sometimes bad valves in the cylinder head create this kind of problem. Expensive fix unfortunately, head replacement. I think in 2012-13 some where covered by a dealer recall.

Edited March 26, 2022 by John/Horace

[Bitmapped]

The dealer ended up replacing the head, which resolved the problem. I was still within the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, so I didn't have to pay out-of-pocket for the work.

[Michael SE]

I had the same issue. Cylinder 4 misfiring. I changed the spark plugs (time consuming as you have to remove a lot of parts to access the plugs), misfire continued. Changed the coil on cyl 4, the misfiring continued. Changed the injector an the misfiring continued. Finally, assuming that what I had was a dirty valve, added an engine flush from STP, ran it idle for 15 min and then changed the oil. I only get a misfire very once in a while. I’ll do the same treatment when it’s time for the next oil change. I expect the problem to go away by then. It cost me $20 to get rid of the issue with the engine flush.

[John/Horace]

How many miles on the engine, curious. Intake manifold gaskets can cause the same code. Should be replaced when plugs are changed out. Car accident and micro crack on intake plastic can also cause that code. There is a glycol test to prove if it is head gasket, but often  it overheating issues at highway speed when it’s cracked head.