Dodge Intrepid Owner? READ THIS!
Monday
Site Introduction
This site is for people whose 2.7L engines have blown on their Chrysler vehicle (usually and Intrepid, Concorde, or Sebring). Here's how this site works. New information is posted right after this Site Introduction section, informing you of anything that's changed regarding Chrysler's 2.7L engine or lawsuits etc. associated with it. To the right on the page, you'll see "Dodge Customer Stories," where you can read about what's happened to other people with their 2.7L engines as well as a lot of other very useful and informative links. You can e-mail us your story, and we'll post it to the Dodge Customer Story page. We get many e-mails each week from people whose 2.7L engines have blown. We try to answer all of our e-mails, but, in the past couple of months, there have been so many that we've had difficulty keeping up with the demand. We're hopding to catch up again in September.
As you scroll down this page, you'll find lots of information about the 2.7L engine as well as where to complain. IF YOUR ENGINE HAS BLOWN, YOU SHOULD COMPLAIN TO CHRYSLER IMMEDIATELY. Please read this whole page, so you know about some options available to you in terms of how and where to lay a complaint. Try to have your service history on the vehicle ready and always ask to have the regional service manager for Chrysler involved in your complaint. It's probably a good idea to involve your provincial consumer protection agency as well, as, ultimately, the dealer who sold you the car has first-line responsibility for the reasonableness of the car's durability. Phone numbers are on this site (scroll down).
Finally, when your engine blows, you feel pretty bad about it. We know -- we had it happen to us. We've received many e-mails from people who have been out thousands of dollars because Chrysler has refused to help them -- parents with young kids who no longer can drive their vehicle, people who still owe thousands on their cars, some who have had their cars reposessed and are being chased by finance companies. What we can say is, don't lose hope. Help is available to you. We can't guarantee that Chrysler will help you, but we can show you where and how to make your complaints. Read this page as a first start and know that you are not alone -- many people have had their 2.7L engines blown.
For mechanical information, consider going to the dodgeintrepid.net forum for advice.
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
As you scroll down this page, you'll find lots of information about the 2.7L engine as well as where to complain. IF YOUR ENGINE HAS BLOWN, YOU SHOULD COMPLAIN TO CHRYSLER IMMEDIATELY. Please read this whole page, so you know about some options available to you in terms of how and where to lay a complaint. Try to have your service history on the vehicle ready and always ask to have the regional service manager for Chrysler involved in your complaint. It's probably a good idea to involve your provincial consumer protection agency as well, as, ultimately, the dealer who sold you the car has first-line responsibility for the reasonableness of the car's durability. Phone numbers are on this site (scroll down).
Finally, when your engine blows, you feel pretty bad about it. We know -- we had it happen to us. We've received many e-mails from people who have been out thousands of dollars because Chrysler has refused to help them -- parents with young kids who no longer can drive their vehicle, people who still owe thousands on their cars, some who have had their cars reposessed and are being chased by finance companies. What we can say is, don't lose hope. Help is available to you. We can't guarantee that Chrysler will help you, but we can show you where and how to make your complaints. Read this page as a first start and know that you are not alone -- many people have had their 2.7L engines blown.
For mechanical information, consider going to the dodgeintrepid.net forum for advice.
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
Wednesday
Thanks, DaimlerChrysler!
We would like to extend our personal thanks and appreciation to DaimlerChrysler for paying to replace our 2.7L engine, which was blown due to sludge. Our goal: five-star accountability! READERS: We just heard that an American class action suit has been filed in the USA regarding the Durango for a similar engine problem as the 2.7L. We also heard that a 2.7L class action is around the corner in the USA. Mercedes (who own Chrysler) has already settled a previous class-action lawsuit in the USA regarding sludge in one of their engines. If you're American, please go to datatown for information.
About a Canadian lawsuit: we have a long list of names of people interested in filing a suit. We can no longer file a suit, ourselves, because Chrysler fixed our engine for us. If you want to file a suit, tell us, and we will distribute your contact information to our list so people can contact you directly. If you're a lawyer, and you can help these people, tell us, so we can tell them.
DON'T FORGET: In Canada, the dealer who sold you your car is responsible for selling you a product with REASONABLE DURABILITY. If your 2.7L, Mitsubishi-designed Chrysler engine failed, you should report this to your provincial consumer protection agency in addition to working with Chrysler to get goodwill on your engine. You can e-mail us for more information. Also, keep reading the information contained below because many of the phone numbers and contacts you need are contained on this webpage. You must be persistent and willing to keep fighting for your rights. Be positive and keep trying!
Click here and here to see how Mercedes settled their engine sludge issue! Also, we keep being told by people writing in to us that they have been experiencing a shortage of Chrysler-made 2.7L engines! Are you waiting for an engine on back order? Let us know!
Here's DaimlerChrysler's automotive research centre, affiliated with the University of Windsor (see link on right). Are they researching problems with the safety and durability of the Mitsubishi-designed 2.7L engine or ignoring them? We note they're doing steering column research (thank goodness)! Have they published their publicly funded research for the public to read, or is this free R&D research funding from the Government of Canada only meant to help Chrysler's profitability?
About a Canadian lawsuit: we have a long list of names of people interested in filing a suit. We can no longer file a suit, ourselves, because Chrysler fixed our engine for us. If you want to file a suit, tell us, and we will distribute your contact information to our list so people can contact you directly. If you're a lawyer, and you can help these people, tell us, so we can tell them.
DON'T FORGET: In Canada, the dealer who sold you your car is responsible for selling you a product with REASONABLE DURABILITY. If your 2.7L, Mitsubishi-designed Chrysler engine failed, you should report this to your provincial consumer protection agency in addition to working with Chrysler to get goodwill on your engine. You can e-mail us for more information. Also, keep reading the information contained below because many of the phone numbers and contacts you need are contained on this webpage. You must be persistent and willing to keep fighting for your rights. Be positive and keep trying!
Click here and here to see how Mercedes settled their engine sludge issue! Also, we keep being told by people writing in to us that they have been experiencing a shortage of Chrysler-made 2.7L engines! Are you waiting for an engine on back order? Let us know!
Here's DaimlerChrysler's automotive research centre, affiliated with the University of Windsor (see link on right). Are they researching problems with the safety and durability of the Mitsubishi-designed 2.7L engine or ignoring them? We note they're doing steering column research (thank goodness)! Have they published their publicly funded research for the public to read, or is this free R&D research funding from the Government of Canada only meant to help Chrysler's profitability?
Thursday
THE FAULTY CHRYSLER ENGINE
IF YOU HAVE A MITSUBISHI-DESIGNED 2.7L ENGINE IN YOUR CAR (e.g., 1999 Intrepid, 2000 Intrepid, Concorde, Sebring, etc.), YOU COULD BE AT IMMEDIATE RISK OF ENGINE BLOWOUT.
BANKERS BEWARE! WE SUGGEST YOU DO NOT EXTEND LOANS ON THESE VEHICLES. ALSO BE ADVISED, MERCEDES OWNS CHRYSLER AND CHRYSLER OWNS MITSUBISHI. BOTH MERCEDES AND CHRYSLER HAVE BEEN SUED IN THE USA FOR SLUDGE PROBLEMS IN THEIR ENGINES. MERCEDES SETTLED THEIR LAWSUIT. CHRYSLER'S HAS JUST STARTED WITH THE RECENT DURANGO FILING, AND A SUIT FOR THE 2.7 REPORTEDLY IS NOT FAR BEHIND. THEY WILL BE HELD TO ACCOUNTABILITY.
Do you own a Chrysler automobile with a 2.7L engine in it?
Did your engine blow out under 100,000 kms because:
- your timing chain broke apart?
- you had "oil sludge" in your engine?
Were you told that this problem was your fault because you failed to change the engine oil EVERY 3 months or 5,000 kms?
Did Chrysler Canada help you, give you the run around, or blame YOU for the problem?
Tell us! Click here to send us an e-mail!
It's time to fight back!
ALSO:
Did your steering bolts go on your Intrepid, causing you to lose complete control of your car?
Tell us!
This webpage is about customer experiences with the Dodge Intrepid and other Chrysler cars with the Mitsubishi 2.7L engine in them. The webpage was started by two Intrepid owners whose engine blew out while driving the car. There was no warning, no warning lights, no engine problems, and then the entire engine was lost within 5 MINUTES.
Our Intrepid had under 70,000 kms on it, and the cost of repair is just under $12,000 dollars. No, we're not kidding. Just under $12,000 dollars to repair the engine, which is about what the entire car would be worth right now, if it were running properly.
Chrysler and our dealer have given us conflicting information. Both have tried to say that we didn't maintain the vehicle, which is not true. This problem has happened to many Intrepid owners, and a class-action lawsuit is being coordinated against Chrysler in the United States for exactly this problem. We want to do the same in Canada.
WARNING SIGNS THAT YOUR ENGINE WILL FAIL:
1. Problems with the heater not blowing hot air consistently.
2. Engine starting on fire.
3. Sludge build-up in the timing chain compartment. Oil changes will NOT fix this problem.
SOME OWNERS HAVE FOUND OUT THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST USE A SYNTHETIC OIL CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING HIGH TEMPERATURES IN ORDER FOR YOUR ENGINE NOT TO FAIL. CHRYSLER DIDN'T TELL US THIS. NEITHER DID OUR DEALER.
IN CANADA, REPORT THE PROBLEM TO THE GOVERNMENT!
If your engine failed while you were driving, send a report to TRANSPORT CANADA
1-800-333-0510 (Toll-Free Within Canada)
1-613-993-9851 (In Ottawa or from outside of Canada)
TTY: 1-888-675-6863
Report Chrysler to your provincial consumer protection authority!
Check out this Federal Government website for contact information, or find your provincial consumer complaint phone number. See more links on the menu to the right for other places you can report to.
CAMVAP
You can participate in the CAMVAP Arbitration program, if you want, but you first have to
- prove to Chrysler that you change your oil EVERY 3 MONTHS or 4,800 kms/3,000 miles and listen to them tell you that you were required to change your oil exactly according to this schedule
- show your maintenance history to CAMVAP and hope the arbitrators say you maintained the vehicle adequately EVEN THOUGH REGULAR OIL CHANGES WILL NOT STOP YOUR ENGINE FROM BLOWING
Plus, if you use CAMVAP, you have to GIVE UP YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS TO SUE CHRYSLER. So, if the CAMVAP arbitrator doesn't rule in your favour, you have absolutely no way to get any compensation from Chrysler because to use CAMVAP you have to agree you won't sue Chrysler first
Are you interested in a class-action lawsuit against Chrysler for this problem? Tell us! Click here to send us an e-mail!
PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS!
In Canada, your car dealer is accountable for the performance of the car sold to you, and you have the basic right, as a consumer, to expect that the car you buy is durable for a reasonable period of time. If your engine blows under 80,000 or even under 100,000 kms even though you did regular maintenance on it, that is not reasonably durable!
Here's where you can report Chrysler if you feel the car you were sold was not reasonably durable:
Call, e-mail, fax, or write the Federal Competition Bureau:
50 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0C9
E-Mail: compbureau@ic.gc.ca
Toll free: 1-800-348-5358
Phone: (819) 997-4282
TDD (hearing impaired): 1-800-642-3844
Facsimile: (819) 997-0324
Also, you can e-mail Philip Halliday at the Consumer Measures Committee, which can coordinate national responses to issues of concern to consumers across Canada:
halliday.philip@ic.gc.ca
CHANGE YOUR OWN OIL? DID YOU KNOW...
If you change your own oil, Chrysler and CAMVAP will not help you and you forfeit your right to ANY compensation for this faulty Mitsubishi 2.7L engine.
*Let us know what you think!* Click here to send us an e-mail!
Five-Star Lies and Evasion
Will your Chrysler district service representative or regional service manager return your calls? Our district rep refuses to return our calls, and the regional rep "can't be contacted by us" according to Chrysler customer service personnel. No matter how bad the service from our dealer gets, no matter how serious the problem with our engine is, the regional rep just IGNORES our requests to speak with him. At first, we weren't even allowed to know his name, but then one person from Chrysler LEAKED his name to us. Unfortunately, he has an unlisted telephone number, so we can't reach him. Our dealer claims not to have the regional rep's phone number (yeah, right . . . more lies).
The president of Chrysler apparently prides himself (mistakenly? deludedly?) on his company's service.
Here's a quotation from DaimlerChrysler Canada's website:
Remember, our focus here at DaimlerChrysler Canada is to provide you with the most satisfying ownership experience possible. One of the ways we do this is by providing an effective way to resolve issues. Our hope is that you never have a problem but, should you, we’re confident we can satisfy your concerns quickly.
Our opinion about this quotation? LIES, ALL LIES!
For example, when you go to the corporate customer assistance webpage, where this service satisfaction promise is offered, and click on the "e-mail us" link, you CAN'T send an e-mail without a special password! Here's the message you get:
Authorization Required
This server could not verify that you are authorized to access the document requested. Either you supplied the wrong credentials (e.g., bad password), or your browser doesn't understand how to supply the credentials required.
Did YOU get a special password? We didn't. What credentials are required to e-mail customer service, since being an actual customer doesn't apparently qualify?
Hey, apparently you no longer need a special password to e-mail Chrysler! Maybe Chrysler reads our site and took the hint! Hey Chrysler, how about a RECALL OF THE 2.7L MITSUBISHI ENGINE?!!!
When you phone Chrysler customer service, do you find the service people helpful with all their dispassionate "uh-huh, uh-huh's"? We didn't.
One Chrysler "Five-Star" dealer said: "If Chrysler has a problem with this engine, then they should act like big boys, step up to the plate, and fix the problem." We feel it's time that Chrysler admitted they have a few problems on their hands -- a problem with the Mitsubishi 2.7L engine, a problem with customer service, and a serious problem in failure to care about their customers' safety in a car which has an engine that could blow out without warning in the middle of traffic -- like ours did!
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
BANKERS BEWARE! WE SUGGEST YOU DO NOT EXTEND LOANS ON THESE VEHICLES. ALSO BE ADVISED, MERCEDES OWNS CHRYSLER AND CHRYSLER OWNS MITSUBISHI. BOTH MERCEDES AND CHRYSLER HAVE BEEN SUED IN THE USA FOR SLUDGE PROBLEMS IN THEIR ENGINES. MERCEDES SETTLED THEIR LAWSUIT. CHRYSLER'S HAS JUST STARTED WITH THE RECENT DURANGO FILING, AND A SUIT FOR THE 2.7 REPORTEDLY IS NOT FAR BEHIND. THEY WILL BE HELD TO ACCOUNTABILITY.
Do you own a Chrysler automobile with a 2.7L engine in it?
Did your engine blow out under 100,000 kms because:
- your timing chain broke apart?
- you had "oil sludge" in your engine?
Were you told that this problem was your fault because you failed to change the engine oil EVERY 3 months or 5,000 kms?
Did Chrysler Canada help you, give you the run around, or blame YOU for the problem?
Tell us! Click here to send us an e-mail!
It's time to fight back!
ALSO:
Did your steering bolts go on your Intrepid, causing you to lose complete control of your car?
Tell us!
This webpage is about customer experiences with the Dodge Intrepid and other Chrysler cars with the Mitsubishi 2.7L engine in them. The webpage was started by two Intrepid owners whose engine blew out while driving the car. There was no warning, no warning lights, no engine problems, and then the entire engine was lost within 5 MINUTES.
Our Intrepid had under 70,000 kms on it, and the cost of repair is just under $12,000 dollars. No, we're not kidding. Just under $12,000 dollars to repair the engine, which is about what the entire car would be worth right now, if it were running properly.
Chrysler and our dealer have given us conflicting information. Both have tried to say that we didn't maintain the vehicle, which is not true. This problem has happened to many Intrepid owners, and a class-action lawsuit is being coordinated against Chrysler in the United States for exactly this problem. We want to do the same in Canada.
WARNING SIGNS THAT YOUR ENGINE WILL FAIL:
1. Problems with the heater not blowing hot air consistently.
2. Engine starting on fire.
3. Sludge build-up in the timing chain compartment. Oil changes will NOT fix this problem.
SOME OWNERS HAVE FOUND OUT THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST USE A SYNTHETIC OIL CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING HIGH TEMPERATURES IN ORDER FOR YOUR ENGINE NOT TO FAIL. CHRYSLER DIDN'T TELL US THIS. NEITHER DID OUR DEALER.
IN CANADA, REPORT THE PROBLEM TO THE GOVERNMENT!
If your engine failed while you were driving, send a report to TRANSPORT CANADA
1-800-333-0510 (Toll-Free Within Canada)
1-613-993-9851 (In Ottawa or from outside of Canada)
TTY: 1-888-675-6863
Report Chrysler to your provincial consumer protection authority!
Check out this Federal Government website for contact information, or find your provincial consumer complaint phone number. See more links on the menu to the right for other places you can report to.
CAMVAP
You can participate in the CAMVAP Arbitration program, if you want, but you first have to
- prove to Chrysler that you change your oil EVERY 3 MONTHS or 4,800 kms/3,000 miles and listen to them tell you that you were required to change your oil exactly according to this schedule
- show your maintenance history to CAMVAP and hope the arbitrators say you maintained the vehicle adequately EVEN THOUGH REGULAR OIL CHANGES WILL NOT STOP YOUR ENGINE FROM BLOWING
Plus, if you use CAMVAP, you have to GIVE UP YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS TO SUE CHRYSLER. So, if the CAMVAP arbitrator doesn't rule in your favour, you have absolutely no way to get any compensation from Chrysler because to use CAMVAP you have to agree you won't sue Chrysler first
Are you interested in a class-action lawsuit against Chrysler for this problem? Tell us! Click here to send us an e-mail!
PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS!
In Canada, your car dealer is accountable for the performance of the car sold to you, and you have the basic right, as a consumer, to expect that the car you buy is durable for a reasonable period of time. If your engine blows under 80,000 or even under 100,000 kms even though you did regular maintenance on it, that is not reasonably durable!
Here's where you can report Chrysler if you feel the car you were sold was not reasonably durable:
Call, e-mail, fax, or write the Federal Competition Bureau:
50 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0C9
E-Mail: compbureau@ic.gc.ca
Toll free: 1-800-348-5358
Phone: (819) 997-4282
TDD (hearing impaired): 1-800-642-3844
Facsimile: (819) 997-0324
Also, you can e-mail Philip Halliday at the Consumer Measures Committee, which can coordinate national responses to issues of concern to consumers across Canada:
halliday.philip@ic.gc.ca
CHANGE YOUR OWN OIL? DID YOU KNOW...
If you change your own oil, Chrysler and CAMVAP will not help you and you forfeit your right to ANY compensation for this faulty Mitsubishi 2.7L engine.
*Let us know what you think!* Click here to send us an e-mail!
Five-Star Lies and Evasion
Will your Chrysler district service representative or regional service manager return your calls? Our district rep refuses to return our calls, and the regional rep "can't be contacted by us" according to Chrysler customer service personnel. No matter how bad the service from our dealer gets, no matter how serious the problem with our engine is, the regional rep just IGNORES our requests to speak with him. At first, we weren't even allowed to know his name, but then one person from Chrysler LEAKED his name to us. Unfortunately, he has an unlisted telephone number, so we can't reach him. Our dealer claims not to have the regional rep's phone number (yeah, right . . . more lies).
The president of Chrysler apparently prides himself (mistakenly? deludedly?) on his company's service.
Here's a quotation from DaimlerChrysler Canada's website:
Remember, our focus here at DaimlerChrysler Canada is to provide you with the most satisfying ownership experience possible. One of the ways we do this is by providing an effective way to resolve issues. Our hope is that you never have a problem but, should you, we’re confident we can satisfy your concerns quickly.
Our opinion about this quotation? LIES, ALL LIES!
For example, when you go to the corporate customer assistance webpage, where this service satisfaction promise is offered, and click on the "e-mail us" link, you CAN'T send an e-mail without a special password! Here's the message you get:
Authorization Required
This server could not verify that you are authorized to access the document requested. Either you supplied the wrong credentials (e.g., bad password), or your browser doesn't understand how to supply the credentials required.
Did YOU get a special password? We didn't. What credentials are required to e-mail customer service, since being an actual customer doesn't apparently qualify?
Hey, apparently you no longer need a special password to e-mail Chrysler! Maybe Chrysler reads our site and took the hint! Hey Chrysler, how about a RECALL OF THE 2.7L MITSUBISHI ENGINE?!!!
When you phone Chrysler customer service, do you find the service people helpful with all their dispassionate "uh-huh, uh-huh's"? We didn't.
One Chrysler "Five-Star" dealer said: "If Chrysler has a problem with this engine, then they should act like big boys, step up to the plate, and fix the problem." We feel it's time that Chrysler admitted they have a few problems on their hands -- a problem with the Mitsubishi 2.7L engine, a problem with customer service, and a serious problem in failure to care about their customers' safety in a car which has an engine that could blow out without warning in the middle of traffic -- like ours did!
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
Wednesday
Photos: Blown Engine due to Sludge (Thanks for the Photos!)
Here is what the infamous "sludge" looks like in a 2.7L blown engine. This car had all the classic signs: heater problems around 35,000k plus a fire -- all caused by poor oil circulation in the engine because of the engine's design flaws. The engine blew around 60,000k without warning, causing a huge and very costly amount of damage.
Timing Chain Photo 1
Timing Chain Photo 2
Timing Chain Photo 3
Timing Chain Photo 4
Timing Chain Photo 5
Timing Chain Photo 6
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
Timing Chain Photo 1
Timing Chain Photo 2
Timing Chain Photo 3
Timing Chain Photo 4
Timing Chain Photo 5
Timing Chain Photo 6
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
Tuesday
Original Owner's Manual Maintenance Instructions
Here are scanned images of the original pages from the 2000 Intrepid Owner's Manual. Apparently Chrysler had the manuals reprinted after altering the original oil and filter change instructions. However, this is what the original manual said about oil and filter changing:
Page 157
Page 158
Page 159***
Page 160
Page 161***
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
Page 157
Page 158
Page 159***
Page 160
Page 161***
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
Thursday
A few reader comments
From a motor remanufacturer:
All of these engines fail at low mileage. Basically it is just a poorly designed engine. We have done many improvements to these engines which are recommended by Chrysler but there are too many to list.
From an American citizen --> we can't quote the details because we don't want to compromise their strategy, but we can tell you that the class-action pending against Chrysler is very close to being a go and has a LOT of people registered.
From a 2000 2.7L owner:
I have a Canadian built Dodge Intrepid 2000. (Called chrysler Intrepid). My timing chain broke without warning at no where near 100k! Before that the stearing column broke and I lost control of my car! They fixed that under warrantee. Now that my extended warantee runs out, this happens and Chrysler wants to blame me and charge me [US] 4500 dollars for repairs!
From a 1999 2.7L owner:
Car in shop..Caught it in time to not blow engine. Timing chain and everything else back to the sprocket s are being replaced. 107K on it and well maintained.
From another 1999 2.7L owner:
18 months ago my 99 intrepid started to make a knocking. I brought it in to the local dealer, who advised me that my motor was likely require replacing. I told them to have a look at it and determine what the problem was, but they could not determine it. The problem went away by itself, but despite regular oil changes, it came back today. I was driving to work when the knocking came. I stopped, checked my oil, and after seeing it was good, carried on to work. 5 Minutes later the timing chain snapped and caused some pretty nasty damage to the engine. At no time did a hot temp lite or oil lite come on. Chrysler told me that i would be responsible to fix it, and that the 2.7 was a good engine. BS.
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
From a motor remanufacturer:
All of these engines fail at low mileage. Basically it is just a poorly designed engine. We have done many improvements to these engines which are recommended by Chrysler but there are too many to list.
From an American citizen --> we can't quote the details because we don't want to compromise their strategy, but we can tell you that the class-action pending against Chrysler is very close to being a go and has a LOT of people registered.
From a 2000 2.7L owner:
I have a Canadian built Dodge Intrepid 2000. (Called chrysler Intrepid). My timing chain broke without warning at no where near 100k! Before that the stearing column broke and I lost control of my car! They fixed that under warrantee. Now that my extended warantee runs out, this happens and Chrysler wants to blame me and charge me [US] 4500 dollars for repairs!
From a 1999 2.7L owner:
Car in shop..Caught it in time to not blow engine. Timing chain and everything else back to the sprocket s are being replaced. 107K on it and well maintained.
From another 1999 2.7L owner:
18 months ago my 99 intrepid started to make a knocking. I brought it in to the local dealer, who advised me that my motor was likely require replacing. I told them to have a look at it and determine what the problem was, but they could not determine it. The problem went away by itself, but despite regular oil changes, it came back today. I was driving to work when the knocking came. I stopped, checked my oil, and after seeing it was good, carried on to work. 5 Minutes later the timing chain snapped and caused some pretty nasty damage to the engine. At no time did a hot temp lite or oil lite come on. Chrysler told me that i would be responsible to fix it, and that the 2.7 was a good engine. BS.
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
Wednesday
Magical Minivan Moment
Chrysler recently had a contest for mini-van owners to tell them their "magical mini-van moment." Here's our magical mini-van moment. We had a Caravan. It had a Mitsubishi engine in it, just like our Intrepid did. The Caravan engine went too. It cost us several thousand dollars. Now our Intrepid engine's gone. That's magical. This time, we're not going to sit back and shell out the bucks. This time, we're going to do some public education, starting with this website, and let as many people as possible know about these engines. This time, we're going to kick some proverbial ass.
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!!
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!!
Dodge Contest E-mailing!
One Intrepid owner, very upset about treatment by Chrysler after their 2.7L engine blew, entered the current "Win a Dream Dodge" contest. You can go to Chrysler's website and build your dream Dodge. Then, if you send an e-mail about the contest to a friend through Chrysler's online form that pops up after you enter the contest, you get five more chances to win -- and you can add your own personal message to each e-mail. Plus, you can do it over and over and over again.
This upset Chrysler customer sent our blog a "dream dodge" message. Here's what the message says:
Look! I'm entering a contest to win a free Dodge truck. If I send you this note, I'll get 5 more free ballots. I figure this is the only way to get a vehicle, now that Chrysler has completely screwed us over with the 2000 Intrepid 2.7L engine, AND refuses to help us, now that this sucky, faulty engine has blown out. Well, thanks to http://intrepidhorrorstories.com, we found out all about how to report Chrysler to the Canadian authorities. Anyway, we hope we win the truck! Then we can sell it new and buy a FORD!
Why don't we all enter the contest today!
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
This upset Chrysler customer sent our blog a "dream dodge" message. Here's what the message says:
Look! I'm entering a contest to win a free Dodge truck. If I send you this note, I'll get 5 more free ballots. I figure this is the only way to get a vehicle, now that Chrysler has completely screwed us over with the 2000 Intrepid 2.7L engine, AND refuses to help us, now that this sucky, faulty engine has blown out. Well, thanks to http://intrepidhorrorstories.com, we found out all about how to report Chrysler to the Canadian authorities. Anyway, we hope we win the truck! Then we can sell it new and buy a FORD!
Why don't we all enter the contest today!
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
Tuesday
Extended Warranty Possibility
Ralph, from the anyboard forum (check it out here) posts this important information about Mercedes-Benz, which could have big implications for what happens with DaimlerChrysler's stance on the 2.7L Mitsubishi engine. Here's Ralph's post:
Q.I recently received a note from Mercedes-Benz saying that the engine warranty on my '99 ML320 is being extended to 10 years or 150,000 miles because the factory did not initially use or recommend synthetic oil as part of its Flexible Servicing schedule, which calls for oil and filter changes about every 10,000 miles. Apparently, when not using synthetic oil, these engine are susceptible to sludge and greatly reduced engine life. I regularly follow the MB service schedule, but when I opened the oil filler cap I was shocked to see a large amount of brownish "goo," with the consistency of whipped cream, in the cylinder head and on the cap. I showed this to the dealer, who said this was normal, and is "froth" from the oil reaching the cylinder head. The oil in my car is now the synthetic variety. I've never seen this before. The engine is running just fine. Is this normal? What should I do?
A What should you do? Be grateful for the extended warranty offered by Mercedes. The engine is now covered for a very large percentage of the vehicle's expected life.
Your responsibility from here on out is to use synthetic oil and change oil somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. Does this sound familiar? I've been recommending this "routine service" for years. Doing so will preempt formation of sludge and varnish from oil oxidation, preempt any viscosity breakdown of the lubricant (highly unlikely with synthetic oil anyway), and preempt depletion of the additive package before the oil is changed.
The oil sludge you found is more common than you'd think in modern engines. My family just purchased a used Volkswagen Passat in fine shape, but it had some evidence of sludge on the oil filler cap. Same reason: longer oil change intervals and the use of non-synthetic oil. We asked that the oil pan and valve cover be removed to inspect and clean the engine. This revealed minor sludge, which was thoroughly cleaned out. The dealer, [dealer name removed], switched the vehicle to synthetic oil, and recommended we change it 2,000 miles later to finish the internal cleaning process.
Given the vastly improved lubricants available today, why does sludge develop? Because of higher oil operating temperatures and significantly longer oil change intervals. You can't do anything about the higher oil operating temperatures -- which are not in any way harmful in their own right -- but you can do something about the longer oil change intervals.
Having identified the issue at roughly 50,000 miles and switched to synthetic oil, I don't think you'll experience an oil-related engine problem.
Thanks for the info, Ralph! Hey Chrysler . . . no recall? How about extending the warranty like for Mercedes-Benz?
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
Q.I recently received a note from Mercedes-Benz saying that the engine warranty on my '99 ML320 is being extended to 10 years or 150,000 miles because the factory did not initially use or recommend synthetic oil as part of its Flexible Servicing schedule, which calls for oil and filter changes about every 10,000 miles. Apparently, when not using synthetic oil, these engine are susceptible to sludge and greatly reduced engine life. I regularly follow the MB service schedule, but when I opened the oil filler cap I was shocked to see a large amount of brownish "goo," with the consistency of whipped cream, in the cylinder head and on the cap. I showed this to the dealer, who said this was normal, and is "froth" from the oil reaching the cylinder head. The oil in my car is now the synthetic variety. I've never seen this before. The engine is running just fine. Is this normal? What should I do?
A What should you do? Be grateful for the extended warranty offered by Mercedes. The engine is now covered for a very large percentage of the vehicle's expected life.
Your responsibility from here on out is to use synthetic oil and change oil somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. Does this sound familiar? I've been recommending this "routine service" for years. Doing so will preempt formation of sludge and varnish from oil oxidation, preempt any viscosity breakdown of the lubricant (highly unlikely with synthetic oil anyway), and preempt depletion of the additive package before the oil is changed.
The oil sludge you found is more common than you'd think in modern engines. My family just purchased a used Volkswagen Passat in fine shape, but it had some evidence of sludge on the oil filler cap. Same reason: longer oil change intervals and the use of non-synthetic oil. We asked that the oil pan and valve cover be removed to inspect and clean the engine. This revealed minor sludge, which was thoroughly cleaned out. The dealer, [dealer name removed], switched the vehicle to synthetic oil, and recommended we change it 2,000 miles later to finish the internal cleaning process.
Given the vastly improved lubricants available today, why does sludge develop? Because of higher oil operating temperatures and significantly longer oil change intervals. You can't do anything about the higher oil operating temperatures -- which are not in any way harmful in their own right -- but you can do something about the longer oil change intervals.
Having identified the issue at roughly 50,000 miles and switched to synthetic oil, I don't think you'll experience an oil-related engine problem.
Thanks for the info, Ralph! Hey Chrysler . . . no recall? How about extending the warranty like for Mercedes-Benz?
HEY CHRYSLER, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER!
