Any 3.6L Pentastar owners out there?

[SteveSRT8]

And a very small number of vocal types have helped you decide?

You might wish to subject ANY car you consider to the same detailed scrutiny.

Hint: they'll all fail! This so called 'problem' affects an extremely small group of cars, and the engines in production have all been redesigned to eliminate it.

Note that I am a mod on the oldest and largest 300C forum on the Net, and we have NO ONE with this issue despite hundreds and hundreds of new Pentastar powered cars on the board.

The Internet can make it sound like a big deal, but this issue is virtually a dead one.

 

[rszappa1]

Actually I did that is why I have 175,000 on my Accord with no issues. I was suprised the car salesperson agreed that they have problems... I may reconsider down the road when the head issue calms down.

 

[demarpaint]

The 2013's are out, and I decided to give it a little more time to see if any of those start showing the problem. The last thing I want done is a head replaced, and my new vehicle possibly messed up in the process. Also note that's one head they're replacing, when IMO they should be done in pairs. As the miles on the vehicle increase that statement becomes even more true.

The good thing is I have plenty of time, and would rather wait. I'm not the kind of guy to say all vehicles can have problems, and its covered by a warranty. That's all true, but when I know of a problem I try and avoid it. Different strokes for different folks.

From what I've read the engines before the upgrade to the head are coming in at a rate of 500/week. Granted there are millions of these engines on the road and that might be small potatoes, I want to be certain I'm not going to be one of those 500/week.

 

[rszappa1]

I was not aware that it was only one head replaced and not both. Thats not good.....

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: rszappa1
I was not aware that it was only one head replaced and not both. Thats not good.....


That's how I feel. They are replacing only the left head, I wouldn't be happy with that at all, and that's a reason for my waiting on this. I can easily wait until 2014 if I feel that's what it takes for me to be certain its fixed.

 

[rszappa1]

I have heard that the Dodge Challenger will be gone next year....

 

[demarpaint]

I'm waiting on a Wrangler. From what I gather most of the problem engines are in them, but I've heard of problems in other vehicles using that engine as well. No one really has a straight answer as far as I can tell.

 

[VNTS]

Originally Posted By: rszappa1
I have heard that the Dodge Challenger will be gone next year....


No will be in production thru 2014 minimum, could run thru 2016 per Allpar and comments from a couple of insiders.

 

[rszappa1]

If I am looking at a 2012 Challenger is there a way to tell if it has the newer head on it... Such as a production date or something like that??????

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: rszappa1
If I am looking at a 2012 Challenger is there a way to tell if it has the newer head on it... Such as a production date or something like that??????


Yes

New Part #: RL141353AB
Old Part #: RL141353AA

HTH

 

[rszappa1]

Is that the part number for the new head? That would be hard to do on the lot. Is there a certian production date of the car built that would have the new head on it from the factory??

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: rszappa1
Is that the part number for the new head? That would be hard to do on the lot. Is there a certian production date of the car built that would have the new head on it from the factory??


That is the part number for the new head. Build date doesn't mean much because they do have a small surplus of engines not to hold up production. You could have a July built vehicle with an April engine in it.

I just read on a Wrangler forum that someone with a July built 2013 Wrangler has the old head. So that confirms what I thought about them having a surplus of engines.

 

[rszappa1]

I was just reading on the ALLPAR site that some are having issues with the new head also....

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: rszappa1
I was just reading on the ALLPAR site that some are having issues with the new head also....


I just saw that. I'm still on the sidelines as a result. A problem I'd rather avoid if at all possible. Time is on my side.

 

[rszappa1]

I really like the challenger and am in the market to buy but I have to look past the the sheet metal.... I will be looking and a 2012 Honda Accord coupe. I currently have a 2007 accord sedan with 175,000 on it.

 

[demarpaint]

I'm in the market too, but its want and not need so I have the luxury to wait a bit longer. I don't want to scrap the Wrangler idea. I do believe Chrysler will get it right, I'm just waiting to be sure.

 

[rszappa1]

I hope they do soon because I really like the car.....

 

[BillyTheKid]

I have a 2012 Cherokee and not one issue with the head or engine. I have beat it and drove it normal and no signs of an issue. The tranny shifting I am not so happy about, but I think the engine trouble is being over hyped.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: rszappa1
Is that the part number for the new head? That would be hard to do on the lot. Is there a certian production date of the car built that would have the new head on it from the factory??


I just read the other day they have an update to the updated retooled head. The original part for the bad head ended with an "A", the retooled redesigned head part number ended with a "B", and the newest ends with a "C". All I can say is I'm glad I waited. With my luck I would have been the owner of a Wrangler in need of a cylinder head, and that would put me over the top. I feel bad for all those guys who have one with a ticking head.

 

[Hokiefyd]

So when they have to update this head 25 more times, will they have to roll the part number over from AX, AY, AZ, then to BA, BB, etc?