I have a 2006 sxt dodge grand caravan 3.8 l v-6. I took it in because of a severe ticking noise in the engine. I have 81000 km on it and it is under the powertrain warranty. The dealership has had the van for 7 business days. They told me they were replacing 12 lifters , a complete gasket package and the cam shaft. On day 7 they called to say after doing this they still had a noise in the rear back possible lower part of the engine and they would have to strip down the motor again as it was being starved of oil in the back side. What would you recommend , who do I call or waht should be done to make sure they don't do some patch work job only to have the engine completely fail once the warranty is expired?

Tobias

 

Nothing you can do, you are at the mercy of whoever is repairing it. If they are a good tech, it will get done right. If not, you have a history of problems, you may get help from Chrysler when the warrenty is up and the motor grenades.

 

Day 9 , Dealership called to let me know they have ordered a short block engine. They will also be supplying a rental on day 10. They told me they would use a certain part of the original engine which I can't remember at the moment. I will be folllowing up with the dealership and find out where I stand longer term.

Tobias

 

The short block would include the block and the rotating assembly which is the crankshaft, pistons, cam and lifters, basically the bottom half of the engine. Typically, the heads and intake assembly would be reused as well as the accessories.

 

Short block only comes with pistons, no cam shaft.

 

Anything I should be watching out for? I believe it was the heads they were reusing but I'm not sure.

Tobias

 

If there are no damage to the heads or valves, they should be okay to put back on.

 

Day 13, So at 81000km they replaced the engine with a short block engine. The only parts from the original motor were the heads. Warranty is 1 year or 100,000 km which ever comes first. Should I keep his vehicle or get a new one asap? I figure I have 1 year max under these conditions

Bart

 

I would go get a new van if i where you. Even though rebuilts can be good, i would like the 1yr part.

 

Personally, I'd have no problem keeping the van. The short blocks are assembled in factory conditions and in my opinion, you're better off at your mileage with a new short block than what you had before.