Engine Trouble

[Maryellen]

I foolishly haven't changed the oil often enough in my 1999 Intrepid. There was a tapping sound like I needed oil but it was full. My mechanic says that "Oil Gunk" has collected in my engine and I probably need a new engine. He cleaned it the best he could....baked the oil off the oil pan, changed the filter, etc. The tapping stopped for about a week and has started again. Is a new engine my only option? Pleae help, can't afford a new engine or car!

[1thunder]

too bad so sad your engine is DONE oil changes are not expensive compared to an engine i'm assuming you have a 2.7L engine well these engines should have oil changes every 3000 miles and i would use synthetic also good engine if maintenance is done regularily big price to pay now your car is probably not worth the cost of the complete engine and labour looking around $5000.00 oil is cheap

[redgoman]

Originally Posted by 1thunder

too bad so sad your engine is DONE oil changes are not expensive compared to an engine i'm assuming you have a 2.7L engine well these engines should have oil changes every 3000 miles and i would use synthetic also good engine if maintenance is done regularily big price to pay now your car is probably not worth the cost of the complete engine and labour looking around $5000.00 oil is cheap

My 2000 Intrepid had the 2.7 and was tapping after about 15 miles and the oil light would come on. I talked to several salvage yards who we are associated with and they told me that those engine were just junk! I wanted to have a car I wouldn't have to worry about leaving me stranded, so I installed a 99 3.5L. Its runs great and has loads more power! Plus they are supposed to last to around 200k unlike the 2.7l

[wafrederick]

If the engine goes, convert it to a 3.2 or 3.5.My father bought a 1999 Chrysler Concorde with a blown up 2.7.I converted it to a 3.2 and it had more power.I know a Jasper represenative the comes to my dad's shop oncein a while and he knows about the 2.7.Chrysler improved the water pump five times.If the timing chain breaks,it bends the valves and put a hole in the valve cover.

[jsgold]

Best and cheapest bet at this time would be an engine flush and switching to Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil and hope for the best. Even though synthetic oils can be changed less often I would still keep it on a 3000 mile schedule. Other option I have heard helps some is Risoline additive, which you use a whole quart of it and one quart less of reg. motor oil. If your engine is not too far gone this will help get rid of some of the crap in there and keep any more from forming. I have a 99 with a 2.7 that I bought in a hurry due to an accident and so far synthetic oil has cleaned what was there out and is keeping it clean. Good luck!!!!

[redgoman]

I got my intrepid from the junkyard and knew the engine was close to its death. I was going to put another 2.7 in but after much investigating i decided not to have to change it again. So for less money and more power I enjoy the 3.5l much better. With the right tools it wasn't very hard.

[To-Damax]

Originally Posted by redgoman

I got my intrepid from the junkyard and knew the engine was close to its death. I was going to put another 2.7 in but after much investigating i decided not to have to change it again. So for less money and more power I enjoy the 3.5l much better. With the right tools it wasn't very hard.

Did you have problems with the ECU or did you use the one from the 3.5 car?
Thanks
Rich.

[AWP9521]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

If the engine goes, convert it to a 3.2 or 3.5.My father bought a 1999 Chrysler Concorde with a blown up 2.7.I converted it to a 3.2 and it had more power.I know a Jasper represenative the comes to my dad's shop oncein a while and he knows about the 2.7.Chrysler improved the water pump five times.If the timing chain breaks,it bends the valves and put a hole in the valve cover.

Just an FYI, the 3.2 and 3.5 Engines have Timing Belts that should be replaced at about 100K or if the Water Pump goes which ever comes first since they are driven by the timing belt. They, like the 2.7 are also interference engines so if the belt snaps then there go the valves in them too. True they are more powerful and don't seem to have a sludge problem inherant with the 2.7 (Which would live a good long life if the oil was changed every 3K and synthetic oil was used) but I have never seen a 3.2/3.5 with 200K on it that hasn't had the water pump/timing belt replaced at least once.

[redgoman]

Originally Posted by To-Damax

Did you have problems with the ECU or did you use the one from the 3.5 car?
Thanks
Rich.

I used the same ecu that came with the car. The only trouble I've had so far has been a bad O2 sensor. I cut exactly 1.5 inches on the passenger side exhaust and welded it back together. Also changed the ac lines to the compressor and hoses and lines off the power steering. If you need more info just ask.