4.7 Oil pans on backorder

[JimW1999]

My oil pan started weeping oil from corrosion. Not having much time to fix it I had it towed to a local shop. The mechainic calls me and says he can do it tomorrow, calls back an hour later saying he cannot get the part. After some research I'm currently number 845 on the list. There's a national backorder on this part through chrysler. I don't know what's going on but they are talking weeks. Plenty available for the 4.0L but not the 4.7L

[hundahunta]

a lot of parts from chrysler are on b/o. We had to wait 3 months to order a cat converter...try to look for an aftermarket part if available..

[fredjacksonsan]

Good idea on the aftermarket...junkyard's not out of the question either.

With that many on back order, I'd be looking for some sort of a recall or warranty fix.

[JimW1999]

Unfortunately I don't think there is an aftermarket part available for the 4.7L - the 4.0L has a ton of options. From what I understand the issue has more to do with how Chrysler burned some bridges during it's latest restructuring. Here I am stamping out oil pans to Chrysler's specification, extending credit terms and boom they decide to pull bankruptcy and get to pay 2cents on the dollar to settle the debt. OK we're back in biz - I'll take 1200 oil pans. Ahhh Not until you pay me for the 3500 already shipped that you tried to screw me over on. or they go to order the 1200 pans and the phone just keeps ringing cause they aren't there anymore...

As far as getting any satisfaction from Chrysler on what seems to be either a bad design or defective part, thanks for the advice but it’s much simpler to just bang my head against the wall. What I’ve come to realize as of late is many of the manufacturers issue TSB’s rather than recalls and get away with it. Toyota, recent faults withstanding at least stands behind their product. RE: the oil gelling problem, what did they do? Took care of the customer. I’ll take a Toyota with a stuck accelerator over one of these P.O.S. Jeeps any day; after all I know how to push down hard on the brake, for I have a Jeep and sort of dig the shimmy.

I miss my 92 Cherokee, that thing was a tank and the straight 6 was a heck of an engine. I appreciate the input guys and the folks on this forum are the best. I don't think there is a good solution, just figured I'd post to give others a heads up.

[jeeppyfan]

Have you tried Spectra Premium? They manufacture OEM and aftermarket oil pans. Call 800-628-5442
If you can't get it, post back, I'll call one of my friend who works at Spectra Premium in Canada.

Good luck.

[JimW1999]

Jeepyfan,
Thanks for the heads up, wish I checked back here sooner. Just found out about Spectra Premium through JCW. I asked the person at JCW to call them and verify it was really for the 4.7 and the 5/28 ship date was correct. Turns out they do make it for the 4.7 but they have a 3 week b/o on it as of 5/25/10. If you know someone who can expedite one for me I'd really appreciate it.

Jim

[JimW1999]

Got one, took almost two months and I thought I was going to have to speak French to get it. Dealers are still waiting, they gave me a 7/1 date but that's not solid.

After this debaucle I'm just driving this one into the ground and that will be my last Chrysler.

Fear not, given what POS these things are, I'll be back for more advise soon.