Topic: Intrepid 2.7L engine?

[stodge]

Why do people recommend avoiding Intrepids with the 2.7L engine? Is there a serious problem with it? Or is it another case of "some people have problems, some don't"? It seems weird as I see so many driving around. Is it an old engine or new for that particular model?

Cheers

[saint_satan]

Decent power but they seems to be very sensitive to service (or lack thereof).  If done religously, their fine but I've heard they are very finicky.  The '97 and earlier have the less powerful but more relaible 3.3V6 (still in Caravan and an excellent engine).  The 3.5 has something like 240 H.P. and is a much better buy than the 2.7 v6.

My dad has been in the car business for 30+ years and operates a small used car lot in his semi-retirement.  We has this talk when I picked up a used Intrepid a couple of years ago (steered me away from new body style 2.7v6 in favour of older body style '97 3.3 and it was an excellent vehicle) .  I personally like Intrepids - the best driving mass-produced domestic car.  They seem to be hit and miss though.  I have heard of lots with high mileage with few problems and some that are absolute nightmares.  Vehicles made after 2000 are a bit better.  Watch for transmission and air conditioning problems.

[neil]

stodge, the 2.7 was introduced in 1997 in the 1998 Intrepid.  It was an all new design for chrysler.  DOHC V6, with 200 hp it was pretty state of the art.  
Alot of "intrepid people" were turned off by the twoseven.  The threethree pushrod it replaced had less hp (162) but was much torquier down low, and was much more spritely.  On paper the 2/7 was to get better mileage, but the hammer down approach to keep in the powerband resulted in poorer fuel economy.

I liked the engine.  I have had 2 intrepids that I sold here used come back for new powerplants.  Not to good considering I don't sell many (couple doz per year?)  But one I know for sure was a result of very poor maintenance.  The oil inside had coked and was like black glass coating everything inside the motor.  so that's what happens when you don't change the oil!!!

I have seen more than a few with more than 1/4mil ks, so like every car maintenance is the key IMO

[neil]

Saint posted same time as me, and we tend to agree mostly.

I would add that finding non 2.7 intrepids will be quite difficult.  It was the volume engine.  You had to upgrade to the ES to get the 3.2l SOHC (215 hp) and it was significantly more expensive, with more features.  2001 the RT model was added with the 3.5l 240hp motor, and that is even more rare.  Also be careful if you search out ES models that they do infact have the 3.2, as the 2.7 was still the standard, but seldom ordered engine for the ES.

[brad]

My friend has a 1999 Intrepid with a 2.7.  He is currently on his 4th motor and 3rd starter.  He said he still likes the car but wishes it had the 3.5.  At least Chrysler has been nice enough to cover the cost of them all.

[safristi]

The Mopar line gets short shrift on this Forum...as does Ford...deserved OR not!!??....
 I personally can't comment on Chrysler ownership only rented a Caravan a coupla times and a 3.5L Intrepid for weekends in that time frame they were decent rides...
   Familiarity breeding contempt?...funny in a way as the OLD CLASSIC MOPARS are sought out and bid up to higher prices than the other BIG 2
Muscle Cars offerings...!!!

[articsteve]

Your friend is lucky because Chrysler isn't NICE.  They are a bunch of bastetos.

Similar to the recent Camry/Sienna V6 scandal (crap internal design) which under "normal" oil change intervals (8000km/6 months), the oil cooks and that's it for some motors.

According to a Chrysler mechanic from a US BBS, (this guys knows everything about Chryslers it seems) if oil is done at 3000 miles or 4 months like in the old days, then no problems.

But it's comfronting to know that all this stuff is designed by "UNIVERSITY GRADUATES and ENGINEERS" and not left to mechanics and machinists to design.  Which is backed up by the fact that George W. Bush has a Masters in Business from YALE.  LOL!  They should have taught him how to complete a full sentence at new conferences as part of his MB.

[intrepid_owner]

HELP!!! I just found this site and I feel compelled to share my recent experience with my 1998 Intrepid 2.7!

I too have a question regarding my 1998 Chrysler Intrepid (2.7 litre-127,000 km).  While driving our Intrepid (about 70 km/hr on a flat stretch in Markham, Ontario) the car made a thumping sound (like a flat tire).  We immediately pulled off the road --(we thought we had a blown tire) - when the engine quit--no power steering or brakes--VERY UNSAFE.  We checked the oil and they was NO OIL registering on the dipstick. After a few minutes, my Husband checked the dipstick again and the level was at the ADD mark--so he put 2 litres in it.  He checked the level again and a few minutes later started the car.  It ran........but idled rough.  I took it to the dealership the next day.  They told me "the engine shows signs of sludge...the timing chain has jumped....1 valve is wrecked..regular oil changes have NOT been performed.... and you need a new (remanufactured) motor--to the tune of approx. $6000.00 CDN installed. I questioned how I could possibly need an entire new motor when this one still ran (albeit rough)....their recommendation was a reman. motor rather than fixing what was broken (as they could not guarantee that the entire engine wouldn't blow 3 months down the road). I questioned them on the "reman" motor--"why would I replace this motor with another one the same that could potentially do the same thing??"" -- the service manager couldn't answer this comment!! THEN, he made the following comment........."I've seen this same problem on several of these motors before"...when I asked him what he meant by that, he changed the subject.   HHHHMMMM........  Needless to say, my mind just boggled when I heard that I needed (?) a new(?) motor when I hadn't even had this car 6 months--we are the second owners of this car--I checked (by purchasing the $20.00 Used Vehicle Package).  We have had the oil changed religously between 5000-6000 kms since we bought it (at 105,000 km).....3 of the 4 oil changes were at the Chrysler dealership--the last one was only 3 weeks ago at the dealership!!  After a few hours to think ( and being puzzled by the comment the service manager made earlier), I went online and was absolutely horrified to find out that there are so many people who've had the same (or worse) experience with these motors.  After reading endless posts, we now know it's imperative to have the engine flushed to get rid of the sludge..........and have 100% synthetic oil put it.  I mentioned the "synthetic oil" to the Chrysler mechanic--and he said "there is no need to use synthetic oil--it's a waste of money."  We weonder if it be helpful to have an oil cooler installed....along with the engine flush and synthetic oil??  Just a thought--I haven't seen anyone mention this before.  After 2 days and some serious online research (approx. 12 hours at this point), I have directed the dealership to fix what was broken (much to their displeasure I'm sure--they were hoping that I'd authorize a reman. motor replacement for $6000.00 rather than tearing the motor down). I'm currently waiting for the car to be fixed (approx. $2300.00--it's been over 2 weeks now).  By the way--I had the mechanic show me the oil filler cap--and it had a bit of black goopy stuff in it---but the valve cover showed a little sludge - mostly in the corners.  It certainly wasn't caked on thick stuff like some of the pictures I've seen on other sites so far.  I asked the service writer why the dealership didn't notify me that there was sludge earlier (at the previous oil changes)---his comment was "we have no need to inspect the bottom of the oil cap--therefore we wouldn't know"....of course I questioned him on how they could possibly put in the new oil without noticing the inside of the oil cap -- and like anyone else, would turn the cap over and put it close by while pouring the oil into the motor!!  I also made it very clear to the dealership that I had stacks and stacks of complaints that I had printed off the internet........including potential US and CDN. lawsuits again DaimlerChrysler concerning the problems with the 2.7 motors,  etc. etc. etc.  "BRAD" (on this thread) posted on June 11/04 that his friend's Intrepid was on it's 4th motor........and that Chrysler had paid for all the previous motors--I'd like to know how the friend managed to get Chrysler to pay for the repairs!!  Any information that anyone can supply that can help me would be much appreciated ---every time I see an Intrepid now I want to speak to the owner and ask them what size motor they have.....and direct them to the internet search for "1998 Chrysler Intrepid 2.7".........

I researched the car on the internet before we bought it (as we didn't know anyone that actually had one) .........and there was page after page after page of positive info. only..........it wasn't until I specified the motor size a few weeks ago that I found out all the problems!!  Many of these sites state that Chrysler dealers in the US and here in Canada have been sent internal info. on these motor problems by Chrysler HQ.....and have been instructed NOT to admit to the design problem.......when you read these posts you hear the same "excuses" given to the consumers over and over again!!  

OK--I must stop this rant for now....any information anyone can provide would be most appreciated!!             Thanks everyone for your time.........I look forward to hearing what other people have to say!!

[ovr50]

Just a quick comment in that I suspect you will trouble going very far against DC with this problem because: 1. the car is 6, almost 7 years old; 2. it had 105K on it when you got it 6 months ago; and 3. it doesn't sound like you know anything about the first 105ks put on the car (eg. was it a rental car? Lots of these were.) There is always the potential for problems when you buy used (6 years and 105k is definitely used). Do you have any history on the car before you bought it? Without that, I think you will have to pay up and forget it. You didn't cause the problem but either the previous owner did and he's gone or the problem was DCs but the car is out of warranty and they'll walk.  
It's a toughy for you but I doubt you have much hope here. Just my opinion - could be wrong.

[articsteve]

I repeat everything Over50 says and ....

You bought this out of a dealership or used car lot?  It's been less than 6 months.  Did you not get some sort of half-ass 6 month warranty with this car?  Something like a "Lubrico" warranty?

I feel your pain, now I will yell at you.  Why are you going back to a DC dealership to have a valve replaced?  They will guarantee nothing.  You are paying double what a private garage will charge you to replace a valve and most likely the Dealership will nail you for another chain because everyone there benefits from unnecessary part sales.

Actually, a very recent Toyota V6 suffered from FOS (fried oil syndrome) in both the Camry and Sienna.  At first, Toyota denied the problem like DC, but decided after about 6 months of building evidence that they would replace all motors when pressed by customers.

Warning:  DC customer service hot line is outsourced so if you call you are talking to a single mom making 10 bucks an hour who has instructions to do nothing for you.  So don't get fustrated and just for laughs, mention the words "possible legal action" and see what happens. Been there!  LOL!

In essence, you are a victom of theft.  DC made a turkey, sold it to the public without the proper warning signs affixed to the sides of the car.  "WARNING, this is Chyrsler product, who manufactures some of the worst North American automobiles today and would be broke if it were not for some insane German from Mercedes Benz who subsequently committed suicide as a result of the Mercedes acquisition".  

Ok, so where are you now?  You'll have a motor that has one new valve which will cost you, by the time they nail you for extras, plus tax, about 3 grand.  The motor is still the same junk as before.  No amount of "flushing" will bring it back and then every seal in the thing will start to leak.

You can trade it in to another used car dealer, but he will give you about 3 grand for it providing you don't disclose your repair bill.  My advise is return to dealership, test drive car in parking lot, get out and say it doesn't run right and call me when it's fixed.  In the meantime, before your credit gets a possible complaint, buy a Honda or similar Japanese car with their financing deals (Honda 3.8% for 5 years).

After a few weeks and numerous nasty calls from dealership over your "bill", tell the general manager that since his service people are so incompetent, you cannot possibly drive the car because of mental duress that his dealership has caused you and that he is to sell the car on his lot and deduct his account from same and mail you the rest.

When you mail him your signed ownership, tell him that you expect TOP dollar, because after all, it is a fine Chrysler product.  Don't worry about general manager's feelings, as he is a major crook and screws folks everyday for a living.

[neil]

Bummer problem.  Sorry to hear.  Read my post above about the engine we saw that was similar to yours.

I believe this engine is very sensitive to poor maintenance.  Is that an engineering problem?  

I would not have attempted to repair this engine.  The poor maintenance will rear it's head again.  Personally I would have sourced a salvage motor.  SGI salvage in SK gives a 6 month warranty on their engines.  $1500 will get you one, likely with way less miles than yours had.  You now will drop close to $3k on a broken motor that was maintained poorly.

Remember kids, if you can't find service records for a used car, the price better be damn good.

[accr]

My last car was an Intrepid 3.2 v6.  I also had a few weekends with a rental intrepid with the 2.7.  

I would stay away from the 2.7 simply due to its lack of power. My current car is a Sebring with the same 2.7 engine, even with a much lighter(500lb) car it's still dying to catch a breath during passing.