03 Hemi 37,470 miles, never raced, never abused, no mods, tuners, zip, just babied - result just before Turkeyday?

Collapsed #4 piston. Re manufactured longblock going in via dealer. BTW, always used Amsoil. Can U believe that? Dealer not sure why, did all service on time. Of course with all the dealerships closing (mine included) I was lucky to find one specializing in trucks. Hey how are those reman longblocks?

SuperJay, Madcat good 'ol Freeze and any of U other pros want to add any advice, questions or suggestions?

I'd appreciate it.

Sorry to hear this Is the dealer footing the entire bill?

quote:

Hey how are those reman longblocks?

Assuming the long block is coming from a reputable re manufacture, you should be fine.

There is more to this story than is being said. On who's part, I don't know. Installing a whole long block means the motor was really thrashed. Something like a valve dropping into the cylinder.

Dang, that sucks!

quote:

03 Hemi 37,470 miles, never raced, never abused, no mods, tuners, zip, just babied

that's the problem right there...

i agree with Jay, something else musta happened to be given the entire longblock award. But on the flip side, you say the dealer is doing the work.... "most", if not "all" dealer mechanics are trained/told to replace "modular" pieces... never just a piston, or valve... short blocks and long blocks are their go-to part#s for major mechanical failures. If they are doing the work for a good price, and are willing to slap a respectable warranty on there... this is typically the "safe" option.. Finding a reputable Ma and Pa mechanic/shop to do it, cheaper, is getting harder and harder to do, but they will typically try to replace only the parts that have failed... sometimes this is cheaper, sometimes its not...

and as for lumping me in there with SuperJay, and Freeze... wow.... i am but a young apprentice compared to Jay, and Freeze... these guys have been doing this for decades, and decades... maybe even centuries. they've already forgotten more than i will ever know..

Ok the skinny:

What I told them: Engine light on, oil pressure light came on, vehicle started running rough and a rattle sound coming from the rt side of engine.

What they did:

They pulled the head off for inspection and found piston #7 came apart and damaged two spark plugs. Debris in intake manifold.

Replaced with reman Engine from Dodge. New intake manifold.

Cost: $100.00

Plus plugs all around and serpentine belt.

Reason it happen? They don't know.

Their opinion? Possibly a bad piston from the original new factory build.

This what they replaced it with:

http://www.mopar.com/serviceandparts/reman/features/hemi/index.html

And now: Runs very strong, smooth and quiet.

3yrs, 80,000 warranty

The four best things? Free engine, labor, got it back today and added 3 years to warranty or 80,000mi.

Now we'll see what happens over the next few years. After break-in for a while, amsoil and play time!

Thanx guys.

Borla

Any suggestions? Or comments?

You got the deal of the century!. When u said u heard noise from right side, did u mean passenger, or drivers side?

Hey jay, when I took it in I just tried to forget about it, but 4 days later after they told me about the replacement, that's what I thought too! Thanx for the reassurance.

They were pretty puzzled too about why. They asked if I've ever driven it hard. Only after about a year when I first got it for one day at Calispeedway against a few chipper friends. They chased me on the track to see if they could catch me. The stangs were faster than the CrownVic's but I did well. This was before they got Chargers made available to them. But that's it.

In answer to your question, from the driver's seat, the sound was coming from the rt side (passanger) front firewall. It didn't ever burn smoke though, I'm thinking the asmoil is why? Also maybe the reason the entire engine didn't blow as is normally observed.

Breaking the wheels is effortless, getting on the interstate, second shift chirp. I'm thinking it's still pretty tight. In time that may go away after it learns more.

How long would U suggest before amsoil change? Waiting for order to arrive now.

Borla

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Oh, Madcat, no worries - they've taught u well, which doesn't include what U learned before U met them. You're still very valuable.

Those remans are available for 03's & 04's only. Like Jay said, deal of the century.

Happy guy

Borla

quote:

How long would U suggest before amsoil change? Waiting for order to arrive now.

That'll make a nice Christmas preasant for yer Hemi. It'll luv it. (or 500 miles)

quote:

What I told them: Engine light on, oil pressure light came on, vehicle started running rough and a rattle sound coming from the rt side of engine.

There is obviously more to it than what they are stating. Dropped valve will damage the piston, and everything else inside the cylinder....

quote:

3yrs, 80,000 warranty

The four best things? Free engine, labor, got it back today and added 3 years to warranty or 80,000mi.

VERY nice!

Very surprised. If all dodge dealers/service departments took care of their customers like that, they would easily overtake the #1 position in customer loyalty.

as for worrying about WHY it happened... let that 3/80 do the worrying for ya now.

Thanks for everyone's support on this.

Madcat, it is very nice. To bad it took such a disaster for the Big 3 to figure out without us they're dead!

After buying anything these days you tend to kinda feel like a hooker. Once the sales over, they don't know you anymore. Maybe after all this economic madness comes out in the wash they'll have a better understanding that it's not just the big name products we purchase from them, it's also the service.

As for the dealer I went to, these guys specialize in trucks which was a big help and I'm sure the fact the truck was bone stock too; which may also be the exception here as apposed to the rule.

Borla

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