I have about 90k miles on my 2018 diesel, on a recent weekend day trip in the mountains it got a CEL with the code: P0269-92 (AF) Cylinder 3 Contribution/ Balance - performance or incorrect operation

At idle it sounded rough, but on the drive home on level highways (mostly downhill) it was pretty smooth.
the next day starting it again sounded very bad like an old tractor. So, it’s been sitting at the dealer a couple days now. They confirmed a bad injector and said it should need only to replace the one. I do have an extended warranty and just waiting to hear back from them on authorization for the repair.

However, the dealer says that their experienced diesel mechanic hears a slight knock and is unable to identify the cause. Further investigation would require an engine teardown.
How concerned should I be about this? How can they even tell if a knock is not causes by the bad injector?

Any one have experience with knocks or the injectors on these ?

 

personally, I'd proceed with injector replacement and see if the motor returns to normal.
a used oil analysis would be helpful too imo.

a teardown seems excessive at this point.
all the best and please keep us posted.

 

Went to pickup from dealer and ended up leaving it, they replaced the injector and the noise is still present and it’s bad. Service guy says it’s a lifter knock.
To me at idle it sounds like a tractor.
Tomorrow when my rep is back I’m going to try and have him press further repair with the warranty company.

 

Wow so the dealer quoted me 7800 for an engine teardown to investigate and here’s where the extended warranty companies get you. They don’t cover “diagnostics” and since we can’t say exactly what’s wrong they won’t cover the teardown.

Having it towed to an independent shop - has any one considered remanufactured replacements?
Looks like I’ll have to put out another 1500 for them to do the teardown and then see if the warranty can find an excuse not to cover .

 

Which extended warranty do you have?
I don't have much to add, but definitely watching the thread with curiosity & hope.

 

It’s a carmax assurant warranty. The shop I took it too (the rover spot in LA) seemed like they’ve done this with warranty companies before - they also have a reman engine listed for sale (10k) if it’s totally cooked.
I unfortunately purchased this vehicle during peak covid prices and still owe 19k, so I really don’t have any good options of they don’t cover it.

The whole reason I did the carmax + warranty route was in case this happened… so it’s tuff that they are now trying to not cover it .

The said they can start looking at it next week - I’ll let you know how it goes, hopefully I can get some pics of inside the engine to see what’s damaged.