00 Intrepid knocking

My check engine light came on and the car started revving high. Nothing showed on the initial computer check. I had a camshaft sensor replaced and the light went off and the revving stopped. Now (2 days after the camshaft) the car is knocking when you step on the gas - LOUD. No cloud of smoke is present which leads me to believe it's not a blown gasket - What is it? HELP a girl in need!

I hope yours is not a 2.7 engine. These are dying left and right due to poor design flaws by Dodge. Unless you run synthetic oils in them they sludge up to the point that the engine fails, even if you change oil often. Perhaps it is not a 2.7, or hopefully you won't have a dying engine. Please advise what engine you have so others can assist you.

it is a 2.7 - oh no don't tell me that. It has 75,000mi on it.

Hopefully this will not be the case with your car, but it is a BIG problem with 2.7's. If it is simply a lifter clacking I would get the engine flushed and put in Mobil one synthetic oil. This will keep it from sludging up any more and will clean it out eventually. Could be the timing assy going bad, or the engine could be dying. I have one with 102k on it and switched as soon as I found out about the 2.7's.(Did not check on this ahead of time, wife's car was totalled and had to get a car in a hurry). There are some folks on here that have done work on these engines that can help guide you better than I can, and some have installed different motors in theirs rather than shelling out 6 grand for a new engine. Perhaps there is another problem here, but even if you find that's so, PLEASE get your oil switched to a good synthetic oil ASAP. See what others here advise you to do. If you know a reputable shop in your area it would be a good idea to have their input. There are other things that can cause an engine to knock, and since you had some work done recently perhaps another sensor etc. is acting up. But with the 2.7's track record most of the time it is bad. See what others here think.

Thanks for responding jsgold. I appreciate your time. A mechanic here thought it might be something with the timing chain guide. I'll be interested to see if anyone else posts a response. This seems to have lots of "gear heads" baffled. Leave it to me I guess. Thanks again for your time.

REGARDS!

Yes, the timing chain is one major problem that is read about on here. Please take my advice on the oil when you get it fixed. will keep the sludge out of your engine and keep it going.(if you get some time, remove your oil cap and look inside. See if any sludge is evident at top) Good luck. Please post whatever you find so others may read.

Hello all, I was just reading your post's about the 2.7 engine and found them very interesting. I was just informed by the dealer that my car neds a new engine due to the timing belt slipping during a start after the car sat for awhile. The service manager kept reffering to all of the sludge in the engine.

The engine as about 50K and should not need to be replace already. Do ses any one know of any form documents about the slude situatiom> I would like to fight the dealer on this and have them step up and help with the cost of the engine replacement.

Thanks

Sad to say if you read a lot of the online forums on these things, unless you had your car's oil changes documented, preferably at the dealership, they will fight you stating you abused the engine. the problem is that the oil does not circulate right and the oil tends to overheat in the top portion of the engine. then sludge forms. Once that happens it gets worse and timing chain can fail causing severe damage to engine, among other things. This is a well known fact to all Dodge dealers. Has been a problem for a long time. Only synthetic oils can withstand the heat and not sludge up. Many people replace them with another 2.7 to have them fail again. If you are going to have to shell out 3-6K get a different motor, a 3.2 I think. better engine with less trouble. Here is a link to an online complaint forum. There are MANY more. A few people swear that their 2.7's are great, but they are either lucky or using synthetic oils. Many failures occur with low low miles...

Do a search on this forum about 2.7's and then do a search on any search engine about the problems with Intrepids. Not hard to find.


http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/consumer_complaints.htm

I would also tell you that there are other problems with this motor, such as smoking due to valve guides etc. Ours is smoking a small amount, although it runs well. Since my wife only drives 3-4K miles a year I hope to keep it running for 2-3 years and get something else. Keeping synthetic oils in it and watching for any signs of trouble. If the motor fails before then I will most likely replace with a used 3.2. Thank god I don't owe much on it. I read about people owing a lot of money of them and they can't borrow the 3-6K to repair them. Really sad. They seem to be a nice car other than this engine failure problem.

here is another of "many" web sites.
http://www.datatown.com/chrysler/

Hello all, I was just reading your post's about the 2.7 engine and found them very interesting. I was just informed by the dealer that my car neds a new engine due to the timing belt slipping during a start after the car sat for awhile. The service manager kept reffering to all of the sludge in the engine.

The engine as about 50K and should not need to be replace already. Do ses any one know of any form documents about the slude situatiom> I would like to fight the dealer on this and have them step up and help with the cost of the engine replacement.

Thanks

visit www.allpar.com, it's a website based specifically for Chrysler vehicles and also offers suggestion as to talk to the manager/advisor. Best thing I can tell you is DON'T BE RUDE OR GET ANGRY!!!! If a manager senses that you are being rude to him or getting belligerent, he'll basically tell you to F.O. and that you're S.O.L. If they want to offer you an option that you aren't comfortable with, don't back down, be firm, yet be nice. Even if it takes you 3 or 4 tries, (I know it's a pain in the ass) BE PERSISTENT!

FreakNasty -did you happen to read my original question? I was hoping to get some insight from you because I see where you deal with Chrysler engines. Seems like you'd be the guy to ask.

Yes, the timing chain is one major problem that is read about on here. Please take my advice on the oil when you get it fixed. will keep the sludge out of your engine and keep it going.(if you get some time, remove your oil cap and look inside. See if any sludge is evident at top) Good luck. Please post whatever you find so others may read.

Whatever I find I will post because this site is a wonderful resource for so many others. I truly appreciate everyone's time with responding - we're all helping each other!

Thanks!

FreakNasty -did you happen to read my original question? I was hoping to get some insight from you because I see where you deal with Chrysler engines. Seems like you'd be the guy to ask.

I read your original question, and from what you are describing sounds like an unfortunate demise for your engine, like the rod bearings are spun or something else internal to the engine. If it was a light tapping sound, I'd suggest putting some transmission fluid in your engine and letting it run to quiet things down; what you're describing sounds like what happened to my brother-in-law's Buick, I ended up having to put a new engine in his car. I wish there was a cheaper alternative for you, I'm truly sorry, I feel for you.

Did you ever get to the bottom of the noise in your engine?? Just curious if you were able to fix.

I just joined this site and it is great!!!!

I also have 2000 intrepid with 2.7 engine..Not knowing what sludge was, while on the highway the engine went. I took it to a dealership they state it would cost close to $10,000 to get it new engine and of course i said hell no!!! The car wasnt worth it (this happened 2002 64,000 miles). I found a used engine from another chrysler car with 30,000 miles for $2700..after belts, new computer, oil and labor the cost was $4428..Also i replaced all the sensors, catalyst converters, electrical part of the transmission...Whoa im broke!, but wait im not done..now the car shakes when I brake and there is a loud humming noise when I accelerate, Im not sure what this trouble is please help. 84,000 miles on car now

Single mom on a budget

Would be best to start a new thread, as that is best way to get quicker answers. I am just getting to know these vehicles(my main knowledge is GM cars) and I am unsure what your noise is, but sounds like possible warped brake rotors, but would have the steering checked too, especially if you notice any weird steering issues. The other noise sounds like a dry transmission or power steering pump to me, but could be a failing transmission etc. Check the fluid levels. These cars have a tendancy to leak transmission fluid because of crappy hose clamps. Start a new thread(topic) and see what else folks say.

Thank you for your reply... I will have a mechanic check those out...The sound I am hearing is a loud hum the faster i go the louder it gets...I hear it in the front