Dodge 2.7 V6

[Gary Punt]

There is so many negative articles about the Dodge 2.7 V6. From timing chain to bad bearings to sludge build up. I have changed my oil every 3000 miles but am switching to Mobil 1 to try to avoid any of the above problems. Hope to go 8 - 10 thousand between changes. Reasonable or not?
Have a 2000 Intrepid with 70,000 on it now and would like to get many more. Thanks for your time and comments.

 

[Amkeer]

I would go with twice a year changes with the m1 and no more than 7000 mile between intervals without UOA. Your first interval will be changed out at less than 5000 miles then 7000 thereafter.

Daily Drives:
-2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner XtraCab, 2.7 Liter , Mobil1 Synthetic SS 5W-30.
ODO 8600 Miles.
-1995 Toyota 4-Runner 3.0 V6, Mobil1 Synthetic SS 10W-30.
ODO 85000 Miles.
http://community.webshots.com/user/amkeer

 

[TC]

Changing out even low-end conventional oil every 3,000 miles should be enough to prevent any of the problems you mentioned. Even a buck-a-quart Havoline, Shell, or Citgo will not be stressed or depleted over a 3K non-Severe Service interval. There's exceptions to all such beliefs of course, but they're far from the norm. Amkeer's recommendation of 7K changes with syn might be reasonable as well if you want both syn and peace of mind -- personally I'd go 7,500K in your shoes since I assume that's the Dodge spec..?

Depending on where your oil filler cap is located, you may be able to survey the valvetrain with a flashlight and keep tabs on sludge/varnish build-up, if any. If you don't see any gunk goin' on, I wouldn't worry about your oil change intervals, and move on to other matters, such as contemplating when Britney Spears will finally pose for Playboy.

[ May 05, 2004, 04:50 PM: Message edited by: TC ]

 

[Chris 2421]

I'm a retired Chrysler master technician,so I'll give you some real and truthful info....The 2.7 that Mitsubishi makes for Chrysler use is a sludge demon if the oil isn't changed every 6K.I think that is the engine you are hearing all the horror stories about.You should have the Chrysler built engine,which is based off of the 3.3 Chrysler engine.That engine is a excellent one.The Mitsu engine cannot be mounted in a 'north south" mounting like your Intrepid has,only sideways(east west) as in most front wheel drive cars.
Your change interval with synthetic,in my opinion is a bit much,I'd rather see 7500 oil and filter changes,or keep using the dino oil at 3K change intervals.

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

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Originally posted by Chris 2421:
I'm a retired Chrysler master technician,so I'll give you some real and truthful info....The 2.7 that Mitsubishi makes for Chrysler use is a sludge demon if the oil isn't changed every 6K.I think that is the engine you are hearing all the horror stories about.You should have the Chrysler built engine,which is based off of the 3.3 Chrysler engine.

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This is totally WRONG. The all aluminum 2.7 that was introduced with the 2nd generation LH cars was a totally new design that was not based on the old iron block 3.3. And this engine HAS had some issues with sludging and cam chains.

The 3.2 and 3.5 all aluminum V6s that were also introduced with the 2nd gen LH cars were also totally new designs, and are totally different designs from the 2.7. I have the 3.5 in my 300M, and in one sense I'm glad it uses belts to run the OHC, but the fact that it's an interference engine makes me wish it had chains.