2017 Ram 1500 5.7 - Reman vs. used engine

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irap93

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Hello all, first time posting here, but have a serious question. I bought a used 2017 Ram 1500 3 weeks ago. Bought it from the dealer who sold the truck new, and serviced it throughout its life. 80k, clean carfax, seemed like a solid truck. 10 days in, it starts ticking and the the check engine light comes on, so I go have the codes read, misfire on 2 cylinders. My local Chrysler dealer says it needs a new engine. It is still under dealer certified warranty from when I bought it, and they have agreed to put a used motor in from a truck with no more miles than what my truck has. Any thoughts? It would cost over 2 grand to bump up to a remanufactured motor.

Thanks for input
Ira
 

grizzstang

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You didn't say why it needs a new engine but I will assume it is cam and lifter failure as it seems to be all too common on the 5.7.

I would rather they put a new cam and lifters in than yank the whole engine and put in a used one with unknown miles.

Really they sold you this truck with a warranty and it cratered in 10 days. They should bite the bullet and get you a reman engine on their dime.
 

Burn2k12Ram

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The one they put in could have the same issue sooner than later really. Really do not know what you are getting with the used motor. I would seriously go with a reman and while they are at it upgrade the stock oil pump with a hellcat oil pump. ALOT less likely to have similar issue down road if going that route.
 

Burn2k12Ram

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You didn't say why it needs a new engine but I will assume it is cam and lifter failure as it seems to be all too common on the 5.7.

I would rather they put a new cam and lifters in than yank the whole engine and put in a used one with unknown miles.

Really they sold you this truck with a warranty and it cratered in 10 days. They should bite the bullet and get you a reman engine on their dime.
Totally agree I would take it up to management and require a reman motor. Sounds shady what they did.
 

Burla

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I'd pay the 2 grand and get a warranty with that I'm sure. If two grand was hard roading, I'd take the warranty work and be happy as well. I wouldnt be upset if I didnt read the fine print, a warranty is a warranty and they never said they wouldnt fix it free, just gave you options. Putting a used engine is a risk to them, if it doesnt work out they have to do it again.

You buy a used engine 80k miles, and this happens and you expect a brand new reman? I don't get that logic. If dealers did that everyone would buy used and break their stuff.
 

Burn2k12Ram

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I'd pay the 2 grand and get a warranty with that I'm sure. If two grand was hard roading, I'd take the warranty work and be happy as well. I wouldnt be upset if I didnt read the fine print, a warranty is a warranty and they never said they wouldnt fix it free, just gave you options. Putting a used engine is a risk to them, if it doesnt work out they have to do it again.

You buy a used engine 80k miles, and this happens and you expect a brand new reman? I don't get that logic. If dealers did that everyone would buy used and break their stuff.
the OP doesnt seem upset I guess I would be for the fact it happened 10 days after just buying it from a dealer. And for that fact is why I would be frustrated lol. I would honestly go the route of a reman but that is just me. I guess it would depend more on how much more of the warranty is left? But yes you are right they are offering to fix it free for similar used engine. So nothing wrong on that part from them.
 

Burla

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oh I get that, my comment wasnt directed to him. Just putting myself in dealers shoes.

The other part of this is the dealer likely knew about this issue, or willfully doesnt check their vehicles because of %'s, either way yeah for sure frustrating. I hope they also include rental car? I don't buy peoples garbage, but if I did, I would do it understanding I may have to replace everything.
 

Burla

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While I wouldnt expect a reman or new engine, I might expect replacement parts. Like if it was cam/lifters, I might expect they would replace those. The price difference between a cam job and pulling an engine and installing a used engine has to be negligible. It's a choice there, but if I was that dealer and I cared about my reputation, I'd opt to fix those parts. Putting used engines into used vehicles is a pig and a poke just like buying used trucks, you never know what you are gonna get.
 

EdGs

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I would absolutely buy another Ram if I could, but the idea of something like this happening scares the **** out of me.

I guess I would have to get a low mileage one like my current truck was when I got her.
 
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irap93

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You didn't say why it needs a new engine but I will assume it is cam and lifter failure as it seems to be all too common on the 5.7.

I would rather they put a new cam and lifters in than yank the whole engine and put in a used one with unknown miles.

Really they sold you this truck with a warranty and it cratered in 10 days. They should bite the bullet and get you a reman engine on their dime.
Sorry, it is a lifter problem. I suppose it could be repaired, but according to the service manager, the Chrysler play-book the amount of metal shavings found in the screens call for a replacement engine. Given it failed in less than 400 miles for me, who knows how long it has been in the process of failing. Yeah, I think they should have caught it, but I didn't hear anything weird when looking at the vehicle.
 

PolarisCobra

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Short of taking it apart, how would the dealer know there was an issue? (Unless the previous owner shared some issues with them?) My guess is that if a dealer takes something in on a trade that they don't trust for some reason, it goes straight to the auction.

I see lots of posts here where people see a problem coming, and trade their truck in before it dies. I'm thinking they don't tell that dealer they are buying a ticking time bomb.
 
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irap93

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Thanks for the ideas. I'm not super excited about getting an unknown used engine. As someone just pointed out, I bought a used truck before. But the difference is that the maintenance records indicated this was always kept up to date. Allowing someone else to pick out a used engine for you feels sketchy, and that's not exactly a good feeling. In different times, it would probably be easier to get help fixing it. But in today's market, parts are expensive and scarce it seems. Will let you know how it turns out.
 
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irap93

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Short of taking it apart, how would the dealer know there was an issue? (Unless the previous owner shared some issues with them?) My guess is that if a dealer takes something in on a trade that they don't trust for some reason, it goes straight to the auction.

I see lots of posts here where people see a problem coming, and trade their truck in before it dies. I'm thinking they don't tell that dealer they are buying a ticking time bomb.
The dealer I bought this truck managed the lease on the truck when it was new for 2 years, and then sold it as Chrysler certified to the second owner, who used the same dealer to do all the maintenance. They sold it to me as dealer certified, and it was a bit more used than what they would normally keep, so I am sure they thought it was a solid vehicle. I'm not sure if that means they should have caught this issue or not. At the time, its service record meant quite a bit to me as a buyer. But, that's the deal with mechanical things, you never know for sure exactly when they are going to break. I just want to figure out how to get it running reliably again, without breaking the bank anymore than its broken.
 

grizzstang

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I'd pay the 2 grand and get a warranty with that I'm sure. If two grand was hard roading, I'd take the warranty work and be happy as well. I wouldnt be upset if I didnt read the fine print, a warranty is a warranty and they never said they wouldnt fix it free, just gave you options. Putting a used engine is a risk to them, if it doesnt work out they have to do it again.

You buy a used engine 80k miles, and this happens and you expect a brand new reman? I don't get that logic. If dealers did that everyone would buy used and break their stuff.

I would guess if you are buying a used vehicle from a dealer you are doing so for the warranty as the prices are considerably higher than buying private. If they are going to charge a premium and offer a warranty then they should stand behind it, fix it right and not band-aid it back together. If the difference is only $2000.00 then the dealer can afford to cover that as I am sure they made a lot more than that off the sale. It's called service. You don't see it anymore so people have learned to settle but that is how it should be handled IMO.
 

Jim BB

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I would going for a Crate Engine
with crate engine when looked in to in later date Ie someone looking for numbers matching truck for value! also with crate you know what you are getting basically a new engine ! and with dealer putting in it will be tracked with Dodge ( So Paper trail ) will be there V.S used
lowers resale or if it get to someone wanting numbers matching less dollars and with used never know what you are getting!
 

EdGs

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I'm not so sure I buy the dealer not knowing there was an issue. They sold the truck as certified, and 400 miles later it is toast.

Something just doesn't seem right to me. Does the warranty say anything about a 'used' engine, and besides that, didn't the '17 have a 100k powertrain warranty?
 

Phirebeard

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I'm not so sure I buy the dealer not knowing there was an issue. They sold the truck as certified, and 400 miles later it is toast.

Something just doesn't seem right to me. Does the warranty say anything about a 'used' engine, and besides that, didn't the '17 have a 100k powertrain warranty?
Mine had 60k PT warranty, '17
 

EdGs

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Mine had 60k PT warranty, '17
Well, that sucks.

I wonder if @RamCares can help the OP, especially since this happened 400 miles after purchase of a "Chrysler Certified" vehicle.

Personally, I would opt for the crate engine, even if I would have to pay a portion of it.
 
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670hoth

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Hello all, first time posting here, but have a serious question. I bought a used 2017 Ram 1500 3 weeks ago. Bought it from the dealer who sold the truck new, and serviced it throughout its life. 80k, clean carfax, seemed like a solid truck. 10 days in, it starts ticking and the the check engine light comes on, so I go have the codes read, misfire on 2 cylinders. My local Chrysler dealer says it needs a new engine. It is still under dealer certified warranty from when I bought it, and they have agreed to put a used motor in from a truck with no more miles than what my truck has. Any thoughts? It would cost over 2 grand to bump up to a remanufactured motor.

Thanks for input
Ira
So it started ticking and the check engine light came on at almost the same time? How loud was the tick? I have a 2017 with 74K so I am just trying to gain knowledge so I can catch mine so its still fixable if it happens to me. Thanks
 

RamCares

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Well, that sucks.

I wonder if @RamCares can help the OP, especially since this happened 400 miles after purchase of a "Chrysler Certified" vehicle.

Personally, I would opt for the crate engine, even if I would have to pay a portion of it.
Hello!

If you'd like us to look into this, please send us a direct message!

Callie
Ram Cares
 
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