BIL 'new' Magnum 2.7 - some suprises.....

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addyguy

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BIL's latest ride is a 2007 Dodge Magnum with a 2.7.

He was showing it to me, and of course, being a BITOGER, I was warning him about the 2.7 being a sludger, and that he should keep an eye on the oil, etc..

He said he topped it off after he got it with some HM 5W-20. I was aghast - I said he should use 10w30 in it..he was confused..."why? it calls for 5W-20 on the cap".

WHAT?

I thought all Chryco 2.7's and 3.5's called for 10w30, and that one 'could' use 5w30 in them...when the heck did the 2.7 go to 20-weight?

Also, were ALL 2.7's sludgers? Or was it just the traversely-mounted ones in the front drivers - this is the rear-drive version, obviously...

Finally, for such a big car with just a 2.7L, this thing moves pretty good - lot peppier than I thought it would be. Nice car!
 
As far as I knew, for years (since 2005 or 2006) the 2.7l engine calls for 5w-20. I owned a 2.7l in 2004 and even then it called for 5w30, but Ive never heard 10w30.

I'd recommend to your BIL to use a good synthetic known for its cleaning properties (Pennzoil Ultra?) 5w-20, have it analyzed around 5000 miles to see if he can go any further with it. My 2.7l was very hard on oil though.
 
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Those issues were fixed in 2002 I believe. The engine is fine if its properly maintained.

Also yes, like almost any engine out there, it will run on 20 weights without issue, and they should be used.

The 2.4L EDZ engine for instance, was handed 5W-20 later in its life in PT Cruisers without warning, despite its entire previous lifespan being 5w30 (to the utter shock and dismay of people who, to this day, insist that block never saw 20 weights).

The Magnum 2.7 isn't turbo'ed or anything; 5W-20 is fine. 5w30 is fine, too, so, I wouldn't worry too much.
 
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Sludge issues were fixed in '02. The 3.5 and 4.0 are the two Chrysler engines that recommend 10w30. The 2.7 calls for 5w20.
 
Get used to the car's drivability running 5w-20. Then experiment with 5w30. If the 5w30 doesn't work out you can dump it early.

" Finally, for such a big car with just a 2.7L, this thing moves pretty good - lot peppier than I thought it would be. Nice car!"

Nice to hear a positive review!
 
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I'm not worried about it, it's his car, just suprised me.

I looked it up, and the engine holds 6 quarts of oil, so oil problems should not be an issue....
 
Watch out when the water pump lets go....its inside the engine and dumps coolant in the oil.
 
Most of the sludge prooblems were solved by then, but they will still sludge. The water pumps are extremely problematic. typical chrysler garbage!

Does it at least have the NAG1 transmission? Or a poor quality Chrysler transmission?
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Most of the sludge prooblems were solved by then, but they will still sludge. The water pumps are extremely problematic. typical chrysler garbage!

Does it at least have the NAG1 transmission? Or a poor quality Chrysler transmission?


Definitely the best outright Chryco hater on the board. Congrats for your title, you've earned it.
 
I think I'm one of the few in this world who actually LIKE the 2.7L. We used to have a 2004 Sebring at work with the 2.7L and it was quite peppy in that car. I once rented a Chrysler 300 with the 2.7L and drove it to Ohio and back. It was strained some on the West Virginia hills, but it did okay. After the sludge issues were taken care of, I think the 2.7L was quite an under-rated motor...not in terms of power but in terms of smoothness and overall usability. It was a fine piece.
 
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Being a BITOGER meant you'd do your research before handing out advice. Just saying.


In my defense, I did check out what the official rec. is, and 5W-20 is recomended; BUT 10w30 is an option. So I wasn't really wrong, thanks.
 
Eh, it's not a roadburner, but I was pleasantly suprised at how much grunt it had in a few hard pulls my BIL did...it 'felt' faster than my Tribute.

I've also got to say the engine had a nice snarl at higher RPM's...it sounds great!
 
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Being a BITOGER meant you'd do your research before handing out advice. Just saying.


In my defense, I did check out what the official rec. is, and 5W-20 is recomended; BUT 10w30 is an option. So I wasn't really wrong, thanks.



My phone SHOULD HAVE added a silly emoticon, making my post a lot sillier than it probably came across.
blush.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I think I'm one of the few in this world who actually LIKE the 2.7L. We used to have a 2004 Sebring at work with the 2.7L and it was quite peppy in that car.


I, too had a 2004 Chrysler Sebring Touring with the 2.7l v6 that I bought brand new and sold with under 10,000 miles on it. I know you said it was peppy but my experience was the exact opposite - it was a total and complete DOG. It must've had a 10+ second 0-60mph.

Good points: drove the car from Detroit to Myrtle Beach in the short time I had it and it was a comfortable highway ride. I think we ended up averaging 30mpg at one point which was good for that thirsty v6 (had the 'traveler' computer in the dash).

Like I said, I sold the car after only owning it for 1 year with under 10,000 miles on it. Power with the v6 was anemic and the transmission had to be worked on two different occasions. The reliability and performance wasnt there for a long-term own. I ended up taking an $11,000 hit when I traded it in!!
 
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This young fella that I know, has a 2.7L in his '02 Intrepid and the water pump has failed. Supposedly, the W/P is internal?
He can't find a local shop that will change the pump for less than $1000?

Same for the Dodge Neon 2.0L that another aquaintences' daughter has! Internal W/P and to change it will cost waaaaay too much money!

This information is just from speaking with people who have these vehicles/issues.
 
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Being a BITOGER meant you'd do your research before handing out advice. Just saying.


In my defense, I did check out what the official rec. is, and 5W-20 is recomended; BUT 10w30 is an option. So I wasn't really wrong, thanks.



My phone SHOULD HAVE added a silly emoticon, making my post a lot sillier than it probably came across.
blush.gif



Cool....it's all good!
11.gif
 
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