Ok, anyone who knows about this motor knows it is the worst ever. I learned this the hard way. My question is if I should switch oils. (I change it personally every 3500-4000 miles) I know about the sludge problem but I haven't noticed anything yet, which I'm sure by the time I do it will be too late. I currently use Pennzoil High Mileage 10w30. I know it has a slight issue with oil pressure so I make sure I use the puralator oil filter. Should I go with a 10w40 HM or higher? Someone even suggested using 4 quarts of 20w50 and 1 quart of lucas oil treatment. A few things to take into consideration is that I live and travel in the Southeast (Louisiana to Georgia.) It's about to be winter so I know this would make a thicker oil slower on those cold mornings. I know I have oil leaks and for now all I can do is keep an eye on my oil level because I don't have the money to fix it permanently and personally I don't believe it is worth it. Thanks for all your help.
Sebring 2.7L
- Thread starter BitterSebring
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You're right. It ain't worth fixing. Those engines were a turd from the factory. I have one customer that just stocks up on whatever HDEO that's on sale. Delo,Delvac1300. It drinks them all.
Stick with what you're doing. Pennzoil High Mileage is good oil and the 10w30 should be robust enough. I think if you don't miss an oil change you'll be fine.
Hey be nice the 2.7 engine is the number 1 engine we rebuild..
One of my co-workers went 160K in his 2000 Intrepid before it blew. I'm still amazed by that one, probably because it was all highway. I know he used dino and changed it about every 4K.
Never had any problem with my 2.7L. I sold it to a friend and it lasted until 450 000 kms.
Here's a picture one year before I sold it. It was a 2000 Intrepid.
Here's a picture one year before I sold it. It was a 2000 Intrepid.
It's a 2001 (one of the worst years I have learned). It has about 151000 miles on it. I just replaced the solenoid because my fuel/start fuse kept blowing. I had to replace the coolant air bleeder due to cracking. I'm on borrowed time with things like the timing belt but again, I just don't see the point in throwing all this money at the car just for it to let me down anyways.
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Regarding oil leaks and pressure: The oil sender unit is notorious for going bad. Not only does is not sense pressure, but they actually start to leak oil externally....by the quarts. Its a very easy and cheap fix.
The water pumps are also known to go bad early, so keep an eye on your coolant.
My daughter has one of these pieces of poo and is trying to nurse it for another year. Wish us luck. MANY bitter people out there with this engine/car.
The water pumps are also known to go bad early, so keep an eye on your coolant.
My daughter has one of these pieces of poo and is trying to nurse it for another year. Wish us luck. MANY bitter people out there with this engine/car.
Oh, the 2.7 Chrysler.....
I like Chrysler. I'm not ashamed of that. But that motor!
Not only is it a notorious sludger, but the water pump is a beast to replace. The timing chain has to come off.
I wouldn't mess with the Lucas. Just keep on doing what you are doing.
I like Chrysler. I'm not ashamed of that. But that motor!
Not only is it a notorious sludger, but the water pump is a beast to replace. The timing chain has to come off.
I wouldn't mess with the Lucas. Just keep on doing what you are doing.
I find if those engines are treated well since new, you get good service from them like Spkyem4e found.
If they are treated poorly from the beginning, the 2nd owner has nothing but headaches.
I also had a friend with a 2000 Intrepid, 2.7L. It was reliable as any other car out there. Needed a fuel pump at 8K miles, not much else ever after. Had it for 5-6 years.
Anyways just keep doing what you're doing!
If they are treated poorly from the beginning, the 2nd owner has nothing but headaches.
I also had a friend with a 2000 Intrepid, 2.7L. It was reliable as any other car out there. Needed a fuel pump at 8K miles, not much else ever after. Had it for 5-6 years.
Anyways just keep doing what you're doing!
151,000 is not bad... lots of motors will start nickel-diming you at that age.
We had a '78 rabbit that blew valve seals every 15,000 miles. class action lawsuit, still never changed the design. 1 qt per month, always.
We had an 84 vanagon that just stopped running at 45,000 miles. you never knew if it would start or not. dealers, mechanics, could never find. the VW zealots finally traced the problem to a design flaw where oil would foul the FI relays in some dark corner, years later. ditched the car, perfect body, seats, interior, at 60,000. CLOTH intake runners.
'86 ford escort. sold at 80k. incessant cooling, fuel, hvac, body mechanical problems.
heck-- we had a 77 corona ('yota)-- BULLETPROOF ENGINE, but it blew fuses monthly and went through lightbulbs, switchgear, wiper motors, and did i mention fuses, regularly.
We started buying hondas in the 90's. We've never worn out a honda or a subaru.
I'm on my 2nd jeep. the first always started but you never knew what might stop working tomorrow.... in it's defense it was old. this one.... we'll see. It's gotta last for a while but I expect the electronics are going to be a pain as it ages.
So.... 151,000 miles, it hasn't left you stranded yet. change that oil pressure sender....
M
We had a '78 rabbit that blew valve seals every 15,000 miles. class action lawsuit, still never changed the design. 1 qt per month, always.
We had an 84 vanagon that just stopped running at 45,000 miles. you never knew if it would start or not. dealers, mechanics, could never find. the VW zealots finally traced the problem to a design flaw where oil would foul the FI relays in some dark corner, years later. ditched the car, perfect body, seats, interior, at 60,000. CLOTH intake runners.
'86 ford escort. sold at 80k. incessant cooling, fuel, hvac, body mechanical problems.
heck-- we had a 77 corona ('yota)-- BULLETPROOF ENGINE, but it blew fuses monthly and went through lightbulbs, switchgear, wiper motors, and did i mention fuses, regularly.
We started buying hondas in the 90's. We've never worn out a honda or a subaru.
I'm on my 2nd jeep. the first always started but you never knew what might stop working tomorrow.... in it's defense it was old. this one.... we'll see. It's gotta last for a while but I expect the electronics are going to be a pain as it ages.
So.... 151,000 miles, it hasn't left you stranded yet. change that oil pressure sender....
M
Originally Posted By: BitterSebring
I'm on borrowed time with things like the timing belt...
The 2.7L doesn't have a timing belt; it has a chain. So no maintenance interval there.
Frankly, though I've never owned one, I've driven a few and I rather like that engine (the 2.7L). We had one in a Stratus here at work years ago. I remember it being very smooth, and feeling rather peppy for the 200 hp it had. Gas mileage was also pretty good. Aside from oil consumption issues, I'm not sure it's known as an engine having "poor relability", is it?
I'm on borrowed time with things like the timing belt...
The 2.7L doesn't have a timing belt; it has a chain. So no maintenance interval there.
Frankly, though I've never owned one, I've driven a few and I rather like that engine (the 2.7L). We had one in a Stratus here at work years ago. I remember it being very smooth, and feeling rather peppy for the 200 hp it had. Gas mileage was also pretty good. Aside from oil consumption issues, I'm not sure it's known as an engine having "poor relability", is it?
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: BitterSebring
I'm on borrowed time with things like the timing belt...
The 2.7L doesn't have a timing belt; it has a chain. So no maintenance interval there.
Frankly, though I've never owned one, I've driven a few and I rather like that engine (the 2.7L). We had one in a Stratus here at work years ago. I remember it being very smooth, and feeling rather peppy for the 200 hp it had. Gas mileage was also pretty good. Aside from oil consumption issues, I'm not sure it's known as an engine having "poor relability", is it?
Yes very much so. They run well imo but the reliability is very shabby. Again as I stated above though in '04 Chrysler addressed the issues and to my knowledge there haven't been complaints on the new 2.7, heck my mom has an '08 Sebring with the 2.7 and the engine has been solid thus far.
Originally Posted By: BitterSebring
I'm on borrowed time with things like the timing belt...
The 2.7L doesn't have a timing belt; it has a chain. So no maintenance interval there.
Frankly, though I've never owned one, I've driven a few and I rather like that engine (the 2.7L). We had one in a Stratus here at work years ago. I remember it being very smooth, and feeling rather peppy for the 200 hp it had. Gas mileage was also pretty good. Aside from oil consumption issues, I'm not sure it's known as an engine having "poor relability", is it?
Yes very much so. They run well imo but the reliability is very shabby. Again as I stated above though in '04 Chrysler addressed the issues and to my knowledge there haven't been complaints on the new 2.7, heck my mom has an '08 Sebring with the 2.7 and the engine has been solid thus far.
I really want to thank you all for taking the time to reply to my post. First time using this website and I greatly appreciate everything. It's people like the ones on here that make the world not seem such a terrible place. Now that I've gotten all sentimental......SCREW the designers/manufacturers of this awful machine!!! It's just now right for us, the consumers, to have to deal with this mess. Best of luck to all.
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