Chrysler 2.7 V6

Apparently the engine is/was designed without enough oil flow considering how hot it gets. The oil "cooks" when it reaches the cylinder heads and sludges up. This causes sludge to build up around the timing chain (and valves) which eventually breaks or jumps a tooth and the engine self destructs. Some garages have found the oil reaches tempatures of 400+ degrees in normal driving - THIS IS IN THE PAN, no telling how hot it was in cylinder head. Chrysler sees the "sludge" in the heads and claims its from not changing the oil - even if you have receipts (unless from Chrysler dealership). Forget about it if you have done the service yourself.

Some claim you can correct the problem with synthetic oil - but you still need to change the oil every 3K or less. Run it 6K (manual suggests 7500 miles) and even synthetic oil breaks down with the high temps this engine reaches.

Anyone know if the engine was redesigned (improved) in 2003 for higher oil flow? Every complaint and class action suit I find refers to 1998-2002 cars equipped with this engine.

casey

In other words, Bullpuckie.

Most rental fleets only keep their cars about 2 years max. This car I bought is actually an X Avis car with 9,000 miles. New it listed about $17,800 after rebates, bought it with the 9,000 miles for $10,500, basic white car that had been on the lot for 90 days.

Supposedly I can trade for what I paid, if I can I might. According to NADA I bought it at trade value - but I don't trust the "book". It's written by car dealers for car dealers to be used to determine the price consumers pay - wonder how it's slanted?

What I'm trying to say is if you look on the web for problems with a particular car, you're gonna find them, no matter which car or which engine it is. Nobody is gonna make it their "quest" to complain to the world about their car if it doesn't give them any problems.

Immediately check and see if you are covered on the Chrysler extended warranty for this issue. Public pressure has an impact sooner or later and they may have stepped up to the problem. They may not be too open about it and you will have to pry a bit.

Plan on having service done at the Chrysler dealer. They will get a bit more for oil changes but they will have the records if anything goes bad. I have a friend that had his Chevy van serviced religously at the dealer and when the engine blew at 50,000 miles, GM took that into consideration and fixed it for free. That was some years ago but the premise is still solid.

Do an internet serch for service and recall bulletins for that car. There is a lot of data out there to be had and actually the amount of service issues on new cars is frightening. 2004 has the distinction of having the highest number of automotive recalls in history.

Make friends with the service guys at the dealership. They are just normal folks like the rest of us and they will give you some tips on what they have seen.

If you bought this from a dealer and you are spooked think about a trade. Things like this bug me to death and once I get a bad taste for something I can"t get away from it.

Best of luck on this. Whatever you do, keep a cool head and be persistant.

Everything I've read says the car runs fine up until the last few minutes. Salvage yards are getting $2000 - $3000 for used 2.7 engines that have the exact same problem as the engine they are replacing.

The way we drive the car will hit 7 years at 70,000 miles. Not exactly a tractor issue but thought it might be service to anyone looking at a Stratus, Intrepid, Concord or 300M with the 2.7. This engine seems is the base power plant in the big Chryslers an Dodges and fails at an alarming rate in them (as admitted by the dealer's shop manager).

I get the feeling the dealeship has no problem turning in these repairs as warranty items but it seems like Chrysler fights them on it and makes them jump through a lot of hoops before they'll cover and engine replacement.