2005 Inline 6

Does anybody have any experience with this engine! The reason I ask is that my youngest son is in San Antonio in school. He is driving a 2005 Jeep Rubicon. He is responsible for the the loan and upkeep and I know he has had the oil changed every 3K miles. The engine has started a tapping not ticking and it is not the exhaust manifold. 95K miles. The engine is running fine. The dealer ship says needs a new engine. They pulled a valve cover to make sure it was not in the valve train. They say it is a rod bearing. Lets say the engine is shot and we have caught it on the front end. The options I see are:
1. Pull the pan and see if I can find the rod and check crank and maybe get lucky and replace the bearing and keep my fingers crossed.
2. The Jeep is in San Antonio does anybody know a good rebuilder there.
3. Crate engines? Are there some options to improving the performance of this engine.
:(

I'll ask the new kid thats working for us now--he is a jeep nut and was saying something about the 6 cylinders just a day or so ago, but I shut him up as I wanted to talk about hemis

I know!I know!
Jerry what really made me mad was the dealership he took it to. Did not tell him specifically what was wrong just he needed an $8K "Block". Charged him $200 to pull the valve cover.

I drive a 2005 TJ, and that in-line 6 generally runs forever and takes all kinds of abuse on trails, especially in a Rubicon. There's lots of used, low mile engines out there, or you can go the crate engine route. Have your son find the local 4X4 shop that the off-road guys use, and they will have contacts with the right suppliers. Here's one, but I am not giving them any recommendation, just a quick google connection and I generally stay away from this type of "SuperStore", instead looking for the small, independent shop that the ruff & ready off-roaders use.
4 Wheel Parts Performance Center Truck and Jeep Parts - Installation stores-RH3
Here's another link to engines, from long blocks to crate. Again, no recommendation, but there's tons of Jeep parts suppliers out there, supporting a huge on and off road group of Jeep owners.
JEEP ENGINES & MOTORS | Rebuilt Engines
There's also stroker motors available if he's wanting more power, but usually that's done with gearing...
Jeep Strokers : Titan Engines, Jeep Strokers Remanufactured Engines Engine Kits
Start by finding a good little 4x4 shop and things get easier quickly.

yes there are lots of used engines out there because nuts turn them over and insurance totals them

Thanks guys! I know what you mean about taking abuse. I bought a 94 wrangler in that year and it is still on the road with over 200K on it. I am very surprised that we are having this problem with the Rubicon. Thanks again.

I got the Jeep at home and have listened to it and it sounds like a loose tappet. Not adjustable in this engine. I am figuring the worst case is the cam is going south. Best case a stuck lifter. If you guys were going to add something to the oil to see if the lifter will unstick what would you use?

Back in the day I used Marvel Mystery Oil for things like this. ::Marvel Mystery Oil::

Thanks Roger! We will see what happens.