Godofwarmike

Ok so ive been looking around and i found a 2001 Dodge intrepid with 148,000 miles and needs a head gasket. they only want $500 for the car and it is in great shape.

now... suppose it is the head gasket how hard are they to change on these engines (2.7L) Ive heard you have to take out the transmission to get the head off the engine.

also could someone run me though the general idea on changing the head gasket on this engine. ive replaced a head gasket on a dodge neon before but never on these engines.

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1999 Purple Plymouth Neon SOHC Automatic
Bought Feb 2009 For $700
125,000 miles

Maybe the world record for car with most hidden zip ties

tempfixit

Here is a link for online service manuals:

http://www.oplin.org/databases/proxy...%2fframerq.asp

enter 123456789 for library card number, submit
click on the box with library in it and more library's will appear, enter the Public Library of Cincinnati and submit
scroll down to Auto Repair Reference Center (ARRC)
choose year, make, model , and engine
Repair Procedures

Your local Library may also have these manuals online.

I have never owned or worked on a 2.7 engine but I have read numerous threads on these engines and they have a history of bad oil sludge problems leading to engine death. Do a search on this forum and read up on it.

I would first get a Coolant Pressure tester (Autozone should have one in their Rent A Tool Program) and put the tester on the radiator and either crank overengine or run it and watch the pressure to see if it builds quickly you have a bad head gasket or bad head. Another way is to remove radiator cap and start engine to see if there are bubbles in the coolant from the exhaust.

I do not see any reason that the transmission needs to be removed to remove heads. You need to remove timing chain cover and timing chains to remove the heads. This is a over head camshaft system so it does get quite extensive to achieve head removal.

You may want to consider just getting a used 3.5 engine and swap them out rather than spend the work on the 2.7, I believe most will agree with this opinion.

Send me a PM with your email address and I can send you some more info from another manual with some detailed testing procedures..

You may already know some of the info I passed on but just trying to help, no disrespect ment.

Good Luck

PS: In case you don't know this is a Interference engine.