I have an 02 Intrepid with a 2.7L engine and have had at least 15 of these cars, along with Stratus, Sebring, and Concorde's all with the 2.7L. One thing I was doing for a long time as far as sludge in a 2.7L is every 20-30k miles I would change the pan gasket. I know it sounds a little extreme, but these gaskets have a couple of O-rings molded into the gasket for oil in/out of the filter, and sometimes due to heat and poor types of oil will "walk" a little and not provide a clear path through the block and filter. On top of making sure the gasket is good, it will show you if there is a sludge problem starting. Mobil 1 full synthetic is probably the number one oil to use in one of these engines in my opinion though.
Of all the motors I've torn down the Quaker State users had the worst sludge build
The one was loyally chnged every 3k miles and when I pulled the valve cover off the sludge was in the form of the valve cover ...
2.7 oil sludge - how about a water puddle on the drivers floorboard?
I own a 99' Dodge Intrepid, 87k miles, no sludge problem's yet, thankfully. My friend mentioned a sludge problem to me just two days ago, had to break the engine down to parade rest, and re-build. I'm hardcore on castroil, 5W-30. Never tried the Slick 50, but it sounds cool for years. My issue is a puddle of water (Not coolant?) on the drivers side floor board. I ordered a new heater core, thinking I'd replace that? Could it be a leak from somewhere else? I can't see anything, and have used a flashlight etc...it's touch and go with the water accumulation. What do you think it cold be?
I have a 2001 Intrepid that also had a water leak that made the driver's carpet wet. The leak was found in the weather stripping near the top of the door. Water from rainfall and car washing was leaking past the weather stripping and running behind the interior door panel to the carpeting. It was corrected by adding caulk at the top side of the weather strip. The leak was found by a car window installer hired by the Dodge dealer to correct the problem.
There's a few reasons for sludging on one vs another. the BIGGEST factor is climate and drive cycles. cold damp climate with short trips greatly increases sludge formation. then toss in the engineering issues this engine has gone thru along with the initial design. ARGGG this is one engine that I really hate. What's wrong with a 3.3/3.8? right out of the box these engines were increadibly reliable and durable. I swear the engineers that came up with the 2.7 were the same crew from GM that did the Quad4
I use 5 - 40 Chevron Dello full syn This is a diesel oil but also rated for gas. This is a high deturgent oil and have no sludge problems. Use it in all my engine's gas or diesel.
2.7L V6 Sludge Problem
I own a 99' Dodge Intrepid, 87k miles, no sludge problem's yet, thankfully. My friend mentioned a sludge problem to me just two days ago, had to break the engine down to parade rest, and re-build. I'm hardcore on castroil, 5W-30. Never tried the Slick 50, but it sounds cool for years. My issue is a puddle of water (Not coolant?) on the drivers side floor board. I ordered a new heater core, thinking I'd replace that? Could it be a leak from somewhere else? I can't see anything, and have used a flashlight etc...it's touch and go with the water accumulation. What do you think it cold be?
