3.6 Pentastar misfiring
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"It hasn't just been one head".
I know i'm coming in late on this thread, but feel the need to reply anyway.
If someone has irrefutable facts to back up the rumor that the heads HAVEN'T been changed, then let's see it. Unless these dealers or "just some guy" has some device to detect the casting integrity of metal parts or has first hand info from the vendor or an engineer that the process hasn't been changed then it's just speculation. I do know this...there is no shortage of bull$hit talk in the automotive world. Mostly among the ones who DON'T get their hands dirty.
We've done plenty of these and I can tell you this for certain..they HAVE been changed. No need to rely on what I heard somewhere. Plus, they aren't so stupid that they're going to cheap out on their flagship engine. That was the type of silly crap that Mercedes (Daimler) would have done.
It hasn't just been one head. We've done probably 3/5 even side. Other parts of the country may have different stats. Ours have mainly been rental cars originally. On the first design, a few have came back a few months later to have the same one done again. By the time we had 3 or 4 of those, the new ones were already being shipped out. It just takes a while for the pipeline to catch up....and not all 3.6 engines are doing this. There is no build date or vendor julian date that has been stated by anyone to be involved, but I suspect this is probably the case. Anyway, they are addressing the issue in a timely manner. As far as job time frame goes...if the tech is familiar enough with them, it can be done in less than a day. Give them a second day to get some miles on it and recheck everything before they give it back to you.
The 3.6L is fine. I am regularly seeing them now in excess of 120,000 miles on them with nothing but oil changes done. As with any car, it's still nothing more than a dumb machine. Get an extended warranty and protect your wallet.
If someone has irrefutable facts to back up the rumor that the heads HAVEN'T been changed, then let's see it. Unless these dealers or "just some guy" has some device to detect the casting integrity of metal parts or has first hand info from the vendor or an engineer that the process hasn't been changed then it's just speculation. I do know this...there is no shortage of bull$hit talk in the automotive world. Mostly among the ones who DON'T get their hands dirty.
We've done plenty of these and I can tell you this for certain..they HAVE been changed. No need to rely on what I heard somewhere. Plus, they aren't so stupid that they're going to cheap out on their flagship engine. That was the type of silly crap that Mercedes (Daimler) would have done.
It hasn't just been one head. We've done probably 3/5 even side. Other parts of the country may have different stats. Ours have mainly been rental cars originally. On the first design, a few have came back a few months later to have the same one done again. By the time we had 3 or 4 of those, the new ones were already being shipped out. It just takes a while for the pipeline to catch up....and not all 3.6 engines are doing this. There is no build date or vendor julian date that has been stated by anyone to be involved, but I suspect this is probably the case. Anyway, they are addressing the issue in a timely manner. As far as job time frame goes...if the tech is familiar enough with them, it can be done in less than a day. Give them a second day to get some miles on it and recheck everything before they give it back to you.
The 3.6L is fine. I am regularly seeing them now in excess of 120,000 miles on them with nothing but oil changes done. As with any car, it's still nothing more than a dumb machine. Get an extended warranty and protect your wallet.
I appreciate your experience and information here.
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"Factors"
I am still trying to figure out if L and R heads are now made more "robust" or just one (L) of the pair?
If both were re tooled then I will push in having Chrysler replace both of mine. As so I don't get caught up in the dragged out process here that others have claimed no fix until both heads are replaced with redesigned? heads. I have a son in wheel chair and just do not have the time of day to be at the dealer while caring for my son. I believe nobody here does really.
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Can anyone (Tech's ?) answer if both of the Pentastar V6 heads were redesigned?
Or just on the even side of Cylinder 2 ?
1. yes both heads were redesigned? with upgraded Valve seats and guide materials etc etc...
2. No, just one/even side/Cylinder #2
Or just on the even side of Cylinder 2 ?
1. yes both heads were redesigned? with upgraded Valve seats and guide materials etc etc...
2. No, just one/even side/Cylinder #2
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This is not good because (( design flaw )) both Heads could mean manufacturing defect.
Thank God my loan did not fund due to a technicality,then opened a window for my family to get out of the Caravan Crew. I had some fun with it and attempted to renegotiate at resigning seeing that I (Victim #1.5 Mil?) would now be buying a vehicle that has major engine problems. Can you believe the dealer said that they will just sell it to another family immediately and refused to budge on 19,000 and said they were at a loss already. Acting like it was worth even more! I gather they are not concerned with Dodge's reputation at this point nor the voice of families who buy from them.
I am glad I can monitor 1.5 million /12 different Chrysler Dodge Jeep etc. vehicles Pentastar head(s)from the sidelines, and see if the 2013's are also plagued with what many are (beginning?) understanding as a design flaw that may not necessarily have anything to do with the now questionable and or robustness of the new head(s) at all.
I understand that dealer will hold customers off with re flashing the computer, to ignore the misfires for a certain amount of time, to help other factors determine the final outcome Re: 36,000 mile Warranty what have you and avoid mass hysteria. Please understand,I was totally optimistic and positive in my early posts regarding ticking noise ending up being the lost compression/ticking head(s) plural?
The crazy part is the day I purchased the vehicle I heard the ticking and immediately compared it with several others on the lot. They all sounded the same, and I went forward and this was before I ever knew about a Repentantastar V6 or current issues with Chrysler v6 heads here.....CRAZY!
Stand firm together on this or Chrysler? and their dealers may walk all over you because they know you are the enemy of the bad head(s) at this point.
I have a case # with Chrysler and plan to poke around re: 2013 models .....would I actually buy a 13???
I hate it when I walk in after buying a 30,000 dollar w/ add on's/ after loan interest. For defective vehicle and service adviser has a blank stare and totally FAILS and does not want to play. Acting like you are wasting his time with your little problem. I will update and edit later as I have to go.......Looking into buying a Ford or Other foreign job?
Last edited by J Turner; Dec 10, 2012 at 12:58 PM. Reason: update
Pentastar woes
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New 2013 Caravan R/T
Since giving back the 2012 CREW due to head issues, I have purchased a brand new 2013 Grand blk on blk Caravan R/T fully loaded ! w/ lifetime-Maximum- warranty. Vehicle of 32,000 and Lifetime Warranty 3,000 end well under MSRP of 36,000 due to Realization that my wife has buying power from being safeway employee/member gives 2,800 off the MSRP off the bat + add 1,000 rebate and 750.00 trade in for 94 Aerostar AWD w/250,000 miles .....add 2,400 cash down all = 4900.00 down was really nice to say the least it worked out like getting the lifetime maximum warranty for like free +
Dealer( Elk Grove CA,LASHER) checked the heads at my request and report that the head #'s end with much later than AD :
I recall he stated "AE AF AG" : but I will have to check it to b sure.
Compared to The 2012 greatness of the semi loaded CREW to
The fully loaded R/T .....R/T is Totally AWESOME!
We'll see what happens with the pentastar head(s). Lifetime warranty is the only way with the head and any issues that come up.
Dealer( Elk Grove CA,LASHER) checked the heads at my request and report that the head #'s end with much later than AD :
I recall he stated "AE AF AG" : but I will have to check it to b sure.
Compared to The 2012 greatness of the semi loaded CREW to
The fully loaded R/T .....R/T is Totally AWESOME!
We'll see what happens with the pentastar head(s). Lifetime warranty is the only way with the head and any issues that come up.
Last edited by J Turner; Dec 10, 2012 at 02:12 PM. Reason: UPDATE
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Nashville, Tennessee
I have no idea what this means, but I DID see you on the grassy knoll in Dallas...lol
Last edited by TNtech; Dec 16, 2012 at 12:59 PM.