This is just so typical Dodge/Chrysler! I was hoping to get away from major QC problems me and the wife had with our Caravan, but it seems that no matter how many cup holders they put in their rigs, they just refuse to correct what has been documented through the years! What next, ONSTAR???

 

[sm=lol.gif]

Maybe it was a design or supplier/vendor problem that has been corrected. I haven't seen anything for the 04's yet.

[sm=sigh.gif]

 

I purchased an 04 QC Hemi last month. Two weeks and 350km later it just quit. Wouldn't idle and when it was going it was missing like crazy. Took it to the dealer and they couldn't read the codes so they thought it was the PCM. Took a week to get a new one and once they installed it was still doing the same thing. Long story short after another week and the dealership talking to the dodge tech line it ended up being a busted valve spring on cylinder number 2. The mechanic said he was surprized because the tech he was talking to had said they thought they had this problem resolved. I guess not.

 

Sorry to hear of your problems. I remember reading about them several months ago. Sounds like they finally found it though. It seems like very few techs these days can truely troubleshoot a problem that doesn't involve a computer.

 

To KCP:
Thank you for adding your story to this thread. I feel for ya.. that is a crappy situation. Are they replacing just 1 spring? the entire cylinder head? dropping in a new engine? If one went bad.... how long do you really have? Chances are the replacement probably came from the same assembly line as the broken one...And if during the spring failure, the valve made contact with the piston, you could have premature piston failure even if the replaced valve never fails again. They should replace the whole block.

As for the rest of us...

I hate to say it, but here it goes....
DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL THE HEMI ENGINES AND REBUILD THE TOP ENDS
(USING RACE QUALITY VALVE SPRINGS OR SOMETHING TO THAT AFFECT)

I can't believe a known issue of this level of importance has not generated a recall. I'm sorry to be a prude, but really, come on. If this happens when I am driving down the highway 100 miles from the nearest town, I'm screwed. This isn't just a reliability issue. Its a safety issue. a big one.

 

If the spring actually broke, then I would make them do a leakdown test to make sure the valves didnt get bent due to some kissing action from the piston. I would demand proof of the repair otherwise I would leave the hunk there. I am willing to be someone's lazy a$$ just popped the spring off and just replaced it hoping for the best! Nobody wants to pull a head off to find the junk leftover from that.


I lemoned a car once because of dirty dealerships, never again. I am a walking nightmare for them with my pen and pad in hand taking names[8D]

 

What you say about writing down names probably isn't a bad idea at this point. This type of thing can get ugly I'd imagine.

Thanks for some good advice yooformula.

 

I contacted Dodge customer service today. I inquired about recalls on the vehicle and specifically mentioned the valve problem. I was told by the service rep that he can not discuss any up and coming recall information but "I might want to make a service apointment at my dealership and see what happens."

It was quite interesting the way he said that too.

I'll keep you all posted.

 

Umm, these engines have a 7/70 warranty. If the thing breaks you get it fixed for free, so what is the big deal? Ok so there is a little hastle in not having your truck for a week or two, but I would make them give me a replacement vehicle while it was being worked on.

 

Arcane, You are correct. Any failure should be covered under warranty. I'm more concerned about safety. And the concept of responsible manufacturing. If this was a faulty radio, or a faulty power window switch.. who really cares. when it goes it goes. But faulty springs in an intrusion type valve train. No way. Not something you just "sit around and wait for it to fail." The best case scenario is the valve hangs somewhat open and you lose power. That in itself could prove dangerous if you are in the middle of passing a SEMI on a country rd (something I do often) or something to that affect. There is of course a worse case scenario .... valve cracks piston.. rod breaks free from piston and tears threw the block... engine parts go everywhere. drivetrain seises.. truck jackknife's into a ditch or oncoming traffic...

Anyone who thinks I am over reacting please feel free to say so. But valve springs have been around for ever and this engine doesn't even rev very high. I'm upset because Dodge obviously went and got some stinking cheap A$$ springs from somewhere instead of spending the extra change to build a quality product. With a $35K sticker you think they could have done a bit better you know? Maybe they will make it an option in 2005.. I'll gladly check the box that says "$20 bucks for high quality valve prings"