2.4L TigerShark MultiAir Engine Head Issues Explained

If you are the owner of a Chrysler 200, Dodge Dart, Dodge Journey, Fiat 500x, Jeep Renegade, or Jeep Cherokee you may have found a lot of articles online discussing the 2.4L engine found in your vehicle. All of these vehicles use FCA’s TigerShark MultiAir II engine.  While the engine has some technology that looks great on paper, it has a number of inherent flaws. The issue we will discuss here is the leaking of coolant between the engine block and the head gasket. 

The TigerShark MultiAir II engine was designed to replace the straight 4-piston engine called the World Gasoline Engine. The World Gasoline Engine received a lot of complaints from customers saying it lacked power and torque. FCA set out to create an engine that would fit in and have fuel efficiency for FCA’s sedans and small CUVs. The TigerShark MultiAir II engine has 90% new or redeveloped components compared to its predecessor.

The TigerShark MultiAir II’s biggest technology shift is that it uses a hydraulic system to vary valve lift and phase. Most engines have a variable valve timing system that uses electromechanical control. The FCA 2.4L TigerShark MultiAir II engine implements the traditional engine design where the cams rotation energy is transferred to a valve tappet that opens and closes the intake valves. Where the design deviates from traditional is that between the valve tappet and intake valves is a hydraulic chamber that controls how far the intake valves open. This allows for incredibly precise control of engine timing. 

The MultiAir II system does provide fuel efficiency and power; yet, it adds complexity to the engine design. With complexity usually comes problems. We have seen some FCA 2.4L TigerShark MultiAir II engines on the Jeep Renegade consume oil and burn off over a quart of oil between oil changes. So always remember to check your oil level with your oil dipstick. The more difficult and costly issue we’ve experienced on the FCA 2.4L TigerShark MultiAir II engine is that the head doesn’t seal well onto the engine block and the engine leaks coolant. This requires the intake to come off, replace the head, and then install a new gasket between the engine block and the head itself. This is very time-consuming; and most of all, it requires expensive special tools.

Now, what do we mean when we say Jeep Renegade head, the engine block of a Jeep Compass, or intake of a Jeep Cherokee? Well, the engine block is the base of the engine. The only piece lower on the overall engine is the oil pan. The head is bolted on top of the engine block. The FCA 2.4L TigerShark MultiAir II engine head contains 16 valves and is made of aluminum. The intake manifolds are made mostly of plastic and bolt onto the engine head. 

What tools are going to be required to solve the leaking coolant on your Jeep Compass, Renegade or Cherokee? Well, to start you’ll need an engine actuator compressor assembly tool. This tool is needed because of the complex design to the intake valves. The tool will hold the valves in place during disassembly. The second specialty tool often needed is a universal head bolt thread repair kit. The FCA 2.4L TigerShark MultiAir II head has M11x1.5mm threads. This is a very common head bolt thread size, a common application being Toyota head bolts. Head bolt issues are so common Toyota has multiple TSBs (Technical Service Bulletin) discussing this issue and proposing a solution. Most notable, is the Toyota Rav4. We hope this makes all you Jeep Renegade, Compass and Cherokee owners feel a bit better. 

Overall, the FCA 2.4L TigerShark MultiAir II engine is a great concept, a decently built engine, but due to its complexity, it isn’t easy to repair at times and has some flaws with leaking coolant at the head and consuming engine oil. 

Let the expert technicians at Scott’s U-Save repair any issues you may have with the FCA 2.4L TigerShark MultiAir II engine. Our certified techs work on this and similar issues every day to help our customers stay safe and on the road. Call or schedule an appointment online today!