Gentlemen, Replace Your Engines!
Posted by mike on January 18th, 2007
I’m seething today. I took my car, a 2000 Dodge Intrepid, to the dealership yesterday to get the oil changed. They are just as reasonable as the quickie-lube places (if not cheaper), and generally do a better job. While it was in the shop, I also wanted them to diagnose a knocking sound I had been hearing for a while. For $35, I got an afternoon phone call telling me my engine had a rod knocking, and needed to be replaced. Not the rod, the ENGINE!! And of course, they would be happy to do that… for $6500.
It seems hard to believe that a car that is only six years old, with 92,000 miles on it, needs a new engine! After all, I’ve generally maintained it well with regular oil changes, etc. However, it turns out this isn’t such a surprising event, after all. Apparently my engine is failing due a problem with “sludge” build up, which is quite a common occurance for Dodge’s 2.7L V6 engines. In fact, the problem is SO predominant, there have been MANY websites such as this created that are dedicated to this issue. It’s almost become it’s own society. I’ve searched, but have not yet been able to locate any class-action lawsuit that has formed.
In the interim, I’ve been stuck with a dilemma. The bluebook value of this car is only about $4500, and that’s not considering the fact that mine has been wrecked and repaired 3 times. I can’t sell it, and the trade-in value is minimal, at best. Structurally, though, it’s a sound car in good condition. It also has a new set of 70k-mile performance rated tires (call that one a bad decision). There is no way I am going to pay a dealer $6500 to drop in a new engine. They’ll surely start nickel and diming me on every belt and hose, and would probably charge me for the air in the air-compressor. I have found a place in Indy that replaces these for $4500, and even keeps them in stock (wow… a cottage industry)! That still may be too much to drop on a seven year old car.
For now, I’ve had the oil changed and the knocking noise seems to have mostly subsided. I’m sure that’s just temporary, but I guess my plan at this point is to drive it until it dies. I’m hoping that it will hold on for another 12-18 months, but I somewhat doubt it will since it has been knocking since last summer. It never hurts to hope. If it fails, I can try to sell it or part it out, and bum rides or buy cheap beaters until I’m able to get another full-time car. For the cash it would take to fix this one, I could purchase two used cars to get me by until our van is paid off and I can turn that payment around into something else.
In the interim, I was thinking of a contest. I could take $1 donations for picking the date my engine fails. LOL! Whomever comes the closest to the actual date (time would be tiebreaker) would get to split the contest earnings with me. What do you think? Would you be in? 
January 18th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
To this injustice I can only say one thing; well, two things, actually. I feel, and, have felt your pain with a 1997 Taurus I had a few years ago. I love the way the service writers are trained to deliver the news in a manner that makes 6K sound like 6 bucks. I just about flipped out when I went through it, bit the bullett, and bought a new car. My decision was somewhat easier, though, as the car was shot in several ways, anyway. If the car is as sound as it, well, sounds, then dropping one in it for 4K might be the better way to go… likely the better way to go than buying a beater to get you by.
On another note, I have to say I have enjoyed reading your blog. I espcially enjoy your style of writing and have quickly come to the conclusion that you, dear sir, should be a professional writer. May I ask when your first novel is due? May I also hire you to write my doctoral disseration for me? (kidding… I don’t want to appear lacking in academic integrity)!
Anyway, I wish you the best as you await the inevitable… as for throwing a dollar into the pool… well, I have to save my dollar for the next time I’m told I need a new engine; ironic, isn’t it.
All my best…
January 19th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Thanks… that stinks about your Taurus. My Intrepid is fairly sound, but mainly because the whole front end was basically replaced about three years ago. The whole thing has been repainted since I bought it, but not at the same time. lol! The interior is in good shape, but it is starting to show some wear. I’m sort of thinking that I might look into buying an old “classic” truck like this one, instead of replacing the engine in this car. I can do either for about the same price, and would be able to work on the truck myself (as if I need more to do… lol!).
Glad you like the blog and my writing… I have to put that degree to work somewhere. haha! No novels in the works, though. Maybe when I get old and too creaky to run, I’ll consider it. =)
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Do you have a shade tree to work under? I worry about you trying to work on this truck you want to buy. Working on a computer yes TRUCK????????? If the car was mine I would trade it for a cheap gas mph getter that is new.You put a few K’s with it and have a new car witk 100k warranty. Just hold off on truck for a while.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:32 pm
By the way if I worried about knock and bang I would have never made it to indy and back everyday. My old blue Explorer has 252,000 miles on it and sounds like it is going to come apart for 150,000 miles of its life. The only repair was a new head gaskit at 200,000 miles. And remember car seat don’t work well in single cab trucks, or for women who don’t want to drive trucks.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:51 pm
LOL! No shade trees, unless you count the ones on my grandpa’s farm. There isn’t much going on there these days, so there’s plenty of room for me to shed it there if I need to. If you recall, I used to work on that old ‘73 truck I had back in high school. I replaced the brakes, clutch, belts, and solenoid myself. Also changed my own oil. I’ve got a few “skills” beyond the keyboard and mouse. =)
You might be right about the knocking… this car may last another 1,000 miles or more. It’s highly possible Bales was just trying to sell me an engine, although they have always been pretty straight with me.
Since I only drive about 20 miles to work and back each day, low mpg isn’t going to kill me too badly. And I can’t count the number of times I’ve needed a truck. Emily would drive it if she had to (she can drive a stick), and I rarely have the kids in my car these days since Emily stays at home with them. The way I’m looking at this is that it’s a short-term solution, long-term project. The van will be paid off in ‘08, and maybe a year or two after that I’ll get something else. This is a “fixer-upper” that will eventually be just a classic truck. Maybe my son will drive it some day. =)
I’m very tuned into what I want now, so I’m going to keep looking. I’ve actually found another, but I don’t know what shape it’s in yet.
November 14th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
[…] You folks may recall me reporting back in mid-January that my Dodge Intrepid was on it’s last leg and needed a new engine (accoring to the dealer). Well, I’m sorry to report that day has finally come. I am happy to have gotten nearly 11 extra months of service from it, but it has finally given in. […]