Hello everyone,

I have a few questions if anyone is up for helping this newbie. Firstly I've done a engine replacement, my old beautiful engine died on me after a fatal dropping of a metal washer in the intake =( I have a '95 Avenger V6, I replaced the old engine with a '96 Avenger V6 (was told they were pretty much identical). It mated perfectly with the transmission and mounted nicely. Now my kitten no longer quietly purrs, heh, its a lil quiet but idles a lil rougher than the old engine. Do you think this could just be the engine I received from the parts yard, or would it be something I could have done? The fuel consumption is a bit on the high side, as the old engine averaged about 23-25mpg in mild city driving, now this new one is about 16-19mpg. Could this also be related?

Secondly what is the average idle RPMs for a 95 avenger V6? and when accelerating should it almost red line when quickly speeding up, say for passing someone going from 45 to 60mph? I feel a bit of a sluggishness from acceleration and was thinking it could be transmission related, but wondered if this also relates to my question above, since before engine replacement acceleration was smooth and didn't even come close to redlining when quick acceleration was needed.

Lastly I brought the car in for inspection after the car sat in my driveway for 5 months awaiting the engine replacement, and it passed emissions but failed safety for the tie-rod and front L/R Lower lateral control arms. Are these covered by the recall that I read in the sticky? I replaced the lateral control arms myself, and was told I needed another part that cost $400 dollars for each side, think it was just the control arm, this is a picture of what I'm talking about.



I replaced #6 but was told by the parts counter at the dealer that I might need #5 and possibly #3 . I'm asking if the other parts are covered by the recall, since if it'll cost me almost $1,400 to just pass my inspection for an already $1,200 engine replacement, I think I'll die. I'm a poor college student as it is =/ If those parts aren't covered by the recall, does my purchase of the L/R front lateral control arms count towards and possibly a refund from chrysler/dodge? I don't expect everyone to have an answer for that, but any feedback would be awesome.

Well, those are my questions, hopefully some of you have some answers for me, if not, I appreciate the time anyone gave in reading all of this. Thank you again if you can help.

 

not 2 sure bout most but as for the recall... go to the chrysler website with the last of your vin. it should have everything you need 2 know.

 

I made a sticky on this info because it's an important safety recall
https://dodgeforum.com/m_600731/tm.htm

I believe it's #5 that is covered on the recall. That's the only one that can make you lose complete steering in a heartbeat. At least as long as the wheels remain attached, lol.

Oh, good first post btw, very informative (for me anyway, maybe too much to read for others, lol) and welcome to DF and hope we can further help.