Ok, we just bought an 05 Durango with the Hemi and only 36,000 miles on it. The day we took it home, it all of a sudden started running very rough like it was starving for fuel. Took it in and the dealer said it had a large vacuum leak in the right bank. The intake manifold gasket was leaking. Obviously they are fixing it on their tab, but I was more curious as to how an engine with only 36,000 miles on it would develope a large manifold leak so early. Should I be looking at other things as well or just chalk it up to one of those things that just happens sometimes. Thanks for any input!

 

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Intake gasket, head gaskets, etc can all go at any moment. It happens.

 

Figured as much. Oh, we love the Durango! First one we've owned. Have a wrangler and used to have a Ramcharger...it was a beast. Thanks

 

a similar thing happened to me while driving and it was shifting to 3rd gear and the tachometer is about to hit 3500rpm... could it be the same problem?

 

sounds like a drivetrain prob ^^^^

 

UUUUUUUGH!!!!!!!!!!
Just got a call from the dealer, I guess they got the intake gasket back on and everything together and when they test drove it, it had no power. They claim that it now has two clogged catylitic converters and it will be 3-5 days before they can get them in. Amazing that one moment the truck can run just fine with plenty of power to blowing an intake gasket and having two bad converters! all with only 360000 miles on it. Would that have to be some pretty bad gas or what? what would cause both of them to plug so soon? my dakota went 260000 miles and never needed a converter replaced at all! Very frustrating! I almost forget what the thing looks like. At least we aren't paying for any of this...we just have to drive this crappy Kia van! uuugh!

 

Grrrrrrrrrr!
Sorry, I'm still mad.

 

REV:

We have been seeing reports lately of folks having both intake and exhaust manifold bolts breaking or loosening up. I really would have to question that diagnosis of the cats being clogged at 36k.

The only thingI can think of off the top would be that due to the intake leak, the computer was overfueling the engine to compensate for the extra air, and burned them up. At least its not your dime.

BTW, if you are the second owner, make sure to get the remaineder of the 7/70 powertrain warranty transferred intoyour name. I believe you have 30 days from date of purchase to do this.

Congrats on the new toy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don

 

That may make sense. I can tell you that when it happened, the leak was very big and you could literally smell the gas it was flooding so bad to keep running. If flooding it with fuel will burn them up, then I am sure that is what happened. It smelled like you dumped a bucket of fuel on the ground. As far as the power train warranty goes, at the dealer we bought from, if the used car has less than 100000 miles on it when you buy it, they give you the lifetime engine and powertrain warranty. And it covers the entire engine And power train, transfer case, axles, u-joints, etc. we got it at Vandevere Pontiac in Akron, Ohio.

 

Hey all, got the Rango back this week. Turns out it had broken a valve spring and dropped a valve. Bent the valve guide in the process. They ordered a whole new head and replaced everything! She now runs like a top and we just put a new 12" overhead dvd player in and love it! We are once again happy campers and love our new Rango!!!! Thank goodness for warranties! Hopefully we will not face this problem again!!!! Thanks to all the replied! have a great day!!!!!!!