I bought my 2005 SRT4 about two months ago, slightly less and have no hisatory on the car as it was auction. Carfax clean. About two weeks ago I had to push it a lil to get around a mustang that wouldn't let me by and saw white smoke coming out of the backend. Did not do it on idle or normal acceleration, just hard acceleration.
Took it in thinking head gasket. Or cracked head.
Head gasket is fine, so delaership was thinking cracked head so they did a pressure test and the head is not cracked nor are the sleeves.

What they cannot figure out is why is there coolant in all cylinders and how did it get there. It is not just one cylinder flooded with coolant it was all of them.

Interesting and odd is that there was no thermostat in it....

I suspect this car was run hard by previous owner as 3rd gear is iffy (symptom of poor poower shifting), e- brake pads are shot (attempting to drift).
I also suspect they attempted to do alot of work on it themselves. Air filtration and turbo are not stock. Turbo is stage 2 (20psi) I am guessing...stock is only 11-14psi correct? Who knows what else is not stock, I am learning about this car still.

Need idea's on what can be causing this. The dodge mech working on my car knows I am asking on forums and he is going to contact chrysler as well.

 

So the turbocharger is shot, dumping coolant into the cylinders. The dealership cannot do anything other than put it back together since I cannot afford $2700 for a stock turbocharger.
Thus, I need to get another non-stock turbocharger or a used one.
I see alot on ebay, says T3/T4, GT30 etc etc.
What am I looking for?? I need a snapshot education here from someone with experience that can advise me on what to buy.
Thanks in advance.

 

It depends on what turbo you had in there. If its not the stock one you need to find out of big it is. Bigger turbo means bigger injectors and so on. You should be able to find a used one for way cheaper then a stock one brand new. Just make sure the used one has good bearings in it. I have an 03 that is pretty stock on stock turbo pushing 14lbs. Hope it helps a little

 

I am now even more confused now.

This is what the dealership says:
1. The turbo is shot and it does happen to be stock after all.
The turbo is dumping coolant into the cylinders.
*the head is not cracked.
*the sleeves are not cracked
*the head gasket was fine

**Turbo Technologies in tacoma states that it is absolutely "impossible" for the turbo to be dumping coolant into the cylinders.

2. After putting in a new thermostat (remember there wasn't one in there when engine was pulled apart) the engine overheats within 30 seconds of starting and shuts down.
**I am having them take the thermostat back out since it did run like that and I have to have it running somehow, some way.

3. Needs a new engine because "something else is seriously wrong but we don't know what it is". Quote for a new engine and labor is 8k+
Thats what I owe on the car...

 

If your overheating that fast then I would say one of the cylinders walls is cracked, thats the only way coolant can get into the motor besides the headgasket. And just a side note the turbo is stock, there is no stage 2 turbo, its just an upgrade and yes its capable of getting to 20psi, the kit includes bigger inj., a better waste gate, a new ecu, and 3 bar map and tip sensors so you can go above 16-18psi and not throw a check engine light. If you can Id keep a eye out on ebay for a block. Have a machine shop magna flux the head and they will tell you if its cracked or not. If you can do the labor you'll save alot of money. Thats what Id do, just rebuild another engine, plus if you are going to tear into it you can get forged rods and pistons that way if you want to go big turbo like a 50 trim you wont have to worry about the bottom end. Just my .02 cents

 

Thanks for the reply. I got the car back but it runs worse than when I took it in. Having a guy that builds competetion drag cars take a look at it. The overheating problem I solved when I got it back. The dodge mechanics ran the vaccum hoses wrong...

I am probably going to be buying a block off ebay like you suggested unless my guy finds something simpler. Just have to have it run for a few months, my car is my work otherwise I would sit it.

Smokes worse and has the acceleration of a mini van since I got it back from dealership and I seriously think they screwed up my turbo, never heard it make the whining pitch it makes now.

 

Maybe the previous owner tried to mess with the turbo. I was told SRT-4 Neon turbo should NEVER be separated with the exhaust manifold, and it comes with the exhaust manifold when you buy it. Else wise, it's vibration will rattle it apart.
Yes, there is Coolant running to the Turbo Compressor side for cooling, and Oil runing thru the exhaust side. it is possible for the Turbo to leak coolant.

 

Not true I had mine apart a few times and never had that happen, the only way it will vibrate loose is if you didn't tighten down the v-band good and tight or you didn't aligh it properly.

 

Hey Brian are you from oregon by chance? lol

 

check srtforums.com for a good used stock turbo should be able to pick one up cheap