Having the same problem with my 2004 Hemi. Van sat for a week, when I went to start it up heard all the same noises that is in the video. I have 86,000 miles. Local garage wants $6500 to replace engine. Any info on if I should try going to Dodge and asking for help or is that a waste of time. Have a friend that might be able to replace but where do I start looking for an engine?

I loved this van and just sick about this. And the fact that I still owe a couple thousand makes me even sicker!!!

 

I was quoted $2500 to rebiuld my 1969 440 engine by a local engine builder. I would imagine you will not need a whole new engine instead of a rebuild,
FF

 

FF:

The going labor to R and R a Gen 2 Durango engine is running $1.8 -$2K alone. Even a simple motor refreshening will likely go $4K minimum.

When the dealer replaced the engine in mine at 39K, the bill would have been $4800 if not for the 7/70 warranty.

Don

 

Quess there is a big difference from the old to the new motors,
FF

 

and maybe its possible a bad bearing? that is water pump, bad compressor..not fully sure but worth the trouble looking into rather than tearing into it first. Sound is constant threw revs..so its a moving part..why not look into pully's etc? A new or rebuilt engine sounds expensive.
good luck!

 

This is the reason I was coming online today was to ask the same question. I was doing some reading and from I can tell is the valve seat can come lose in the Hemi head.The price on heads aren't that bad for reman heads. I have a chance to buy a 2004 for 1000.00 that's having the problem you are talking about.Not sure if I should buy it or not now, but it's so clean

 

Figured I would conclude this post off. After taking the heads off and checking everything off, determined it was in the bottom end. Too much for me to deal with right now, and dont really feel like dishing out the cash for a new motor. I hate to sound so shallow, but after seeing all the problems that others have had with this motor (over 1000 reports of similar problems), and dodge wont do squat about it, has really caused me to lose faith in dodge all together. This motor was upkept rediculously well, and has been treated well. I ended up taking it to a 14 yr dodge mechanic after putting it all back together. He told me no point in rebuilding the motor, as it was just as cheap to buy a short block. I am not going to dump $4k plus into this vehicle, for something else that dodge wont address to go wrong. Its been a fun run, but traded it in on Sunday.

Thanks to all for the opinions about it, really appreciate the input.

K.I.A. 2004 Dodge Durango 94,204 miles. Bottom end knock.

 

Patrowned:

Sorry to hear this, but I certainly understand your frustration. I agree wholeheartedly that if maintained properly, a vehicle SHOULD go a minimum of 7 years or 100k miles without major issues considering what they cost these days.

Most folks get way more than that out of them.

It seems that most of the problem 5.7L engines were of the 2004 variety. A few 05 and 06 engines have appeared, but not many.

What did you end up with for a replacement vehicle???

Don

 

After alot of consideration, and driving a few vehicles, and I know Im going to get some heat from some who read this, I ended up with a 2011 Tundra. I still owed money on the Durango, and with having to dump 4k + into it to repair it, it just didnt seem prudent, so ended up trading it in.

 

Patrowned:

No grief from me! While we all have our favorite vehicles, one must do what one feels is best. Given your experience, A change in brands would be an expected possibility for many folks.

Good luck with your Tundra, and do stay in touch.

Don