New Engine???

[JohnnyDollar]

It's never overheated while I've owned it. Who knows what happened during the 40k miles before though. I did however replace the thermostat about a week after I bought the truck because it was running cold, about 180 degrees. Once I installed the new thermostat it ran at about 195-200. Could a bad "open" thermostat be an indication of a prior overheat?

Are you sure the previous owner did not put in a 180 degree thermostat?
I see that talked about a lot.

 

[Cruizer]

I would definitely get something in writing to warranty their work. Have you dealt with or researched this dealer? I would be curious if others have had issues with the dealer's garage. There is a lot of stuff they're going to get into putting a new motor in. Will that stuff be covered by any warranty? Sorry to hear about all the problems. Hope it gets better quick.

 

[Kingcobra423]

Are you sure the previous owner did not put in a 180 degree thermostat?
I see that talked about a lot.

I can't say for sure. I didn't look for a temp stamp on it, and I tossed it in the trash a few weeks ago. I can't rule it out as a possibility. I put a 180 thermostat in my '05 5.7 Hemi Ram 1500. All it did was decrease my gas mileage. And getting the cabin warm on a cold winter day took forever!

 

[Kingcobra423]

I would definitely get something in writing to warranty their work. Have you dealt with or researched this dealer? I would be curious if others have had issues with the dealer's garage. There is a lot of stuff they're going to get into putting a new motor in. Will that stuff be covered by any warranty? Sorry to hear about all the problems. Hope it gets better quick.

Yeah the dealer has a good reputation. The service manager took me and physically showed me the damage to the block, cylinder and head. The intake valve seat on cylinder #6 dropped down. He had to electronically submit photos (which he showed me) to Chrysler for approval to proceed with the work.

The interesting thing is Chrysler responded to his request with "did the engine overheat?", to which he responded "no". So Chrysler is definitely aware of an issue with their valve seats, especially if the engine overheated. What I didn't like was the amount of carbon buildup inside the head and on the tops of the pistons. It leads me to believe the prior owner probably used cheap low grade fuel. So I'm wondering if detonation was occurring and possibly attributed to the premature failure of the valve. Just a theory...

As for the warranty, I purchased a 3yr/75k b-b extended warranty. So I'm definitely covered no matter what. I think this still falls under the 5 year / 100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty.

Nice rig btw!

 

[Cruizer]

Thanks! I bought the extended as well. I only like to work on my vehicles if it's modifying them somehow. I've spent too much time keeping lemons running when I was younger, lol. Hope it works out for you. Kind of scares me when we have the same year and engine though.

 

[Kingcobra423]

Thanks! I bought the extended as well. I only like to work on my vehicles if it's modifying them somehow. I've spent too much time keeping lemons running when I was younger, lol. Hope it works out for you. Kind of scares me when we have the same year and engine though.

Aside from my 1st car, an '85 Buick that I bought for $900, I've always had Chrysler products. A Neon, a Nitro, a Wrangler and this is my 2nd Ram. I suppose if you eat at the same restaurant all the time, eventually you're bound to get a bad meal.

 

[Kingcobra423]

Well I took a ride past the dealer last night on my way home. The truck is sitting exactly how it was sitting in on Monday. I'm hoping they got the block and heads in and they've started to assemble the engine in the shop. I want to call but I don't want to be a pain in the a**! Luckily I have a loaner through Enterprise. I have a '13 QC with the 4.7 and man is it a pig compared to the 5.7 HEMI!

 

[Kingcobra423]

I was suppose to get the truck back this past Friday. Then Friday afternoon I get a phone call telling me that one of the heads they received was wrong. We're going on 3 weeks already! One excuse after another! First I needed new solenoids and lifters. Then I needed a new camshaft. Then they tell me a valve seat dropped into the cylinder and I need a new engine. Then I was told the long block wasn't available and they had to order the short block and heads separately. Now I'm being told that they received the wrong head, that the exhaust manifold bolt pattern was different. Is it the dealer, is it the mechanic or is it just Chrysler in general! I picked the truck up on 8/22 and literally the dealer has had it longer than I have! WTF!!!

 

[White Beauty]

LEMON Law

 

[Cruizer]

Sorry to hear about the frustrations. It's never fun waiting around on service. Hopefully it's completed soon and you'll have a new motor in your 2011!

 

[johnnysart]

I sure hope they get it fixed ASAP.

 

[Kingcobra423]

With all the B.S. I went through with my '10, the dealer bought it back and put me in the seat of what is now my now '13 CC Sport, which I've had for a little over a month now.

I thought I'd post some pics of the stellar job the dealer's "A" mechanic did installing the new engine... Enjoy!

 

[Kingcobra423]

A few more just for laughs! Notice how they crushed the transmission & oil pans! Love the grease stains on the floor mat too!

Oh and after all of this, just to add insult to injury. They had the truck for 31 days straight and they never replaced my mirror. They ordered it but it was sitting in a box in my back seat.

Just total schmucks!

 

[Power247]

Congrats on the new RAM!! Sorry you had to go through all that mess. Hope they gave you a great deal on the new one...

tap tap tappa-roo

 

[Cruizer]

So are they going to do anything about the damage to the pan or the interior? I can't stand half assin' mechanics. When I worked in a garage, every cars interior we covered the seat and floor to keep from tracking oil into the car. I don't know anyone that would call that acceptable. People just don't take pride in their work anymore these days.

 

[Kingcobra423]

Congrats on the new RAM!! Sorry you had to go through all that mess. Hope they gave you a great deal on the new one...

tap tap tappa-roo

I think they gave me a fair deal. I got a 5 year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty just for my own peace of mind. They threw in the tonneau cover and step bars along with the tire and wheel package. All in all I'm very happy with my new Ram! However I will never bring my vehicle back to that dealership for service ever!

 

[Kingcobra423]

So are they going to do anything about the damage to the pan or the interior? I can't stand half assin' mechanics. When I worked in a garage, every cars interior we covered the seat and floor to keep from tracking oil into the car. I don't know anyone that would call that acceptable. People just don't take pride in their work anymore these days.

They bought the truck back from me so its not my problem anymore. But for the sake of the new owner I certainly hope they made those repairs! My father was a mechanic for over 20 years and he was beside himself when I showed him those photos.

 

[Power247]

I think they gave me a fair deal. I got a 5 year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty just for my own peace of mind. They threw in the tonneau cover and step bars along with the tire and wheel package. All in all I'm very happy with my new Ram! However I will never bring my vehicle back to that dealership for service ever!

Good that they took care of you! And yeah, definitely find a different shop to service your new one...

tap tap tappa-roo

 

[Cruizer]

+10 on finding a new shop. I wouldn't trust those guys to replace my dome light.