used engine

I would like some advice quickly since I have to make a decision within an hour or two.

i have a 2000 caravan, 72K miles. 3 liter engine. I have had problems practally from the start. Leaks, bad control module, the valve cover gasket was replaced in 02, 03, and 04. Lifters collapsed at 60K, started burning 2 qts of oil in between 3K mile oil changes, bad fuel injectors, low engine compression due to serious blowby. The car is covered under an extended warrantee but the company wants to put in a used (not reconditioned, used or salvaged) engine with 48,900 miles, new water pump, new timing belt, new rear main seal. Is this a good idea? Of course I am not sure what other options I have at this point. Thanks.

Check out your warranty contract, they can do whatever they want if it is in the contract. If the contract does not allow a used engine, then ....

And what "company" are you talking about?

Check out your warranty contract, they can do whatever they want if it is in the contract. If the contract does not allow a used engine, then ....

And what "company" are you talking about?

United Auto Care

If it all possible I would fight to have at least a remanufactured engine put in. It is a lot of work just to put in a used engine in just to find out it knocks or has bad blowby. Argue with them, you payed in good faith for a maintenance policy and now they are trying to rip you off.

I could see a used fender, bumper or something like that, but not a motor.

If it all possible I would fight to have at least a remanufactured engine put in. It is a lot of work just to put in a used engine in just to find out it knocks or has bad blowby. Argue with them, you payed in good faith for a maintenance policy and now they are trying to rip you off.

I could see a used fender, bumper or something like that, but not a motor.


I just got off the phone with United Auto, they have no appeals process. I was told that they will pay no more than $1250 for the part and I could take it or leave it.

I guess that you are going to have to "take it" (since most people keep their wallet in their back pocket, I guess you know where you have to "take it").
I am thinking that extended warranty contracts need to be better reviewed by the buyer. You can't buy a rebuilt engine or transmission for $1250. I assume that you bought the Van used. You have more trouble with one Van than I have had with three vans and 250,000 miles (since 1999). I did buy a 7 year /100,000 mile warranty with one of the vans ($900), but it never had even one issue up to when I got rid of it at 130,000 miles. Oh, sorry take that back, it had a transmission fluid leak because a clamp was loose, so I tightened it and added fluid.

I guess that you are going to have to "take it" (since most people keep their wallet in their back pocket, I guess you know where you have to "take it").
I am thinking that extended warranty contracts need to be better reviewed by the buyer. You can't buy a rebuilt engine or transmission for $1250. I assume that you bought the Van used. You have more trouble with one Van than I have had with three vans and 250,000 miles (since 1999). I did buy a 7 year /100,000 mile warranty with one of the vans ($900), but it never had even one issue up to when I got rid of it at 130,000 miles. Oh, sorry take that back, it had a transmission fluid leak because a clamp was loose, so I tightened it and added fluid.

You are right ( about my options) but wrong about buying it used and this is only the tip of the ice berg. I bought it brand new on Sept. 1, 2000. Just about 1 year to the day, I had to replace the battery, then I had to replace the battery again in 18 months, then again 2 years later. It took me nearly having an accident before the dealer diagnosed a control module as the culprit for draining the battery. And so it goes. There is a problem, I take it in, they say they can't find anything, the problem continues and eventually they will find it. This has happened with the fuel injectors, the burning oil, and the transmission. All the time, the miles are piling up and the time is ticking on my warrantee. Very convient.

And you are 100% right about reading the fine print on the contract. It does not specify used or rebuilt. It simply says it will replace with like kind and quality. If I am to take them at their word, they should replace my defective engine with another defective engine since that would be "of like quality". Sorry if this sounds a little mean, but I am a bit on the mad side right now.

I dont blame you for being pissed, have you thought of contacting a lawyer about this? It would not hurt to get a legal opinion about their statement. To me for instance, replacing a cracked windshield with like quality would not be another cracked windshield.

Have you called around to some of the parts stores like Auto Zone to see what they get for a long block or even a short block engine? I would go that route and let them pay for it and me pay to get it put in if I had to before I sat there and let them put a used engine of unknown quality in my vehicle.

I dont blame you for being pissed, have you thought of contacting a lawyer about this? It would not hurt to get a legal opinion about their statement. To me for instance, replacing a cracked windshield with like quality would not be another cracked windshield.

Have you called around to some of the parts stores like Auto Zone to see what they get for a long block or even a short block engine? I would go that route and let them pay for it and me pay to get it put in if I had to before I sat there and let them put a used engine of unknown quality in my vehicle.


I did talk to a lawyer and he did not think there was much I could do because of the language in the contract. I did check AutoZone and they had a rebuilt for $500 more than what United Auto was willing to pay. United Auto would not consider AutoZone and the dealer was not willing to act as a go between. Needless to say, that dealership has lost a customer and I will never have another United Auto contract. Since I could not afford the $1500 difference between what United Auto would pay and what they were pricing a rebuilt engine. I had until 4:30 to make a decision before I lost my rental and since I did not have my car and I have to get to work, its getting t he used engine. The lawyer did recommend getting it checked by an independent mechanic, which I will do.

If your policy is still in effect after the engine swap, drive the hell out of that sucker for a while and make sure it is a good motor and will hold up, if it starts knocking or leaking or whatever go after them again for another engine.

And I would certainly take it to another mechanic preferably another dodge dealer (dont tell them the whole story) and ask them to evaluate your motor.

Good luck!

My sister bought 2 Dodge minivans, one new 2000 and one slightly used '96. The 2000 has the 3.3l and she hasn't had any problem with it, it now has 125,000 miles.
The '96 has a 3.0l and she gets stranded from break downs all the time. The '96 now has about 70,000 miles on it and is only used for short trips because of it's reliability problems.