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andreasduess · 02-25-2014, 05:56 PM

MStephens,

I don't think anything you did is to blame for this situation - I've seen a 300 tow an Airstream with zero problems, I also know several people who tow with a Grand Caravan. None of them have had any issues to report.

I suspect that the car had issues when it was sold to you, issues that came to light perhaps sooner than they would have otherwise during a tow.

Jim Flower · 02-25-2014, 06:10 PM

MStephens,
Crysler has bet his farm (Canadian joke) on the Pentastar engine and so far, Wards has agreed with them. The Pentastar did not make Wards 2014 list since the others are catching up. That means even though there were some problems with a relatively few engines, the design of the engine in 2012 was considered among the best in the world. You did not buy the wrong car. You bought an exceptionally well engineered vehicle. You should be able to drive any new car sold in America down the street in any weather and have it function perfectly. If it doesn't, the manufacturer is responsible for making it right, and you are not responsible for diagnosing anything for him. Stuff happens. Let them fix it. Go camping. Take your cell phone. Jim

ggoat!!! · 02-25-2014, 06:36 PM

Or, get rid of it and get a reliable vehicle that isn't known for needing heads replaced right out the gate and STOP WORRYING and go out and have fun actually camping rather than watching the temperature gauge every damn second of every trip, waiting for something to break.

It sucks to have your few days of vacation RUINED by a devastating vehicle breakdown...ESPECIALLY if you knew beforehand that such a breakdown was more than likely.

Get rid of the stress, cut your losses, and get a vehicle for which pulling your amount of trailer is not going to put it at increased risk of imminent failure when your ultimate goal is for you and your family to go and have FUN...not to sit in some dealer's service waiting area in a state 1000 miles away when you know you have to be back at work in a few days.

It's just not worth it.

Chuck · 02-25-2014, 07:15 PM

So, I guess with all these comments, we can pretty much sum up. You should:

a: sell it
or
b: keep it.

Why do you suppose this issue w/ the Pentastar seems more prevalent in jeeps? Maybe their brick-like profile make the motor work harder(?).
I'm on the jeep forum some, myself, and I never heard of this...but that's probably because I'm only looking at TJ stuff.
fwiw, when I picked up my TJ from the PO's house a few months ago and drove it home, it overheated.

Granted, it was 70 degrees, and I was driving down the interstate with a snow plow mounted, but its not like it was "hot" out. anyway...different engine entirely...different story for a different thread. But even older jeeps seem to run hot, for some reason.

mstephens · 02-25-2014, 07:29 PM

Does anyone know....If they give me a new engine, will they give me a new 36000 mile warranty?

SteveH · 02-25-2014, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstephens

Does anyone know....If they give me a new engine, will they give me a new 36000 mile warranty?

Don't think so. However, once there is a history of a problem such as overheating, they will normally honor the warranty for that problem longer than the normal warranty.

TouringDan · 02-25-2014, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstephens

Does anyone know....If they give me a new engine, will they give me a new 36000 mile warranty?

I don't have a clue, but I believe that somebody following this thread will have an answer or know how to get one. You could always ask the Service Manager what is Chrysler's policy on extending the warranty in this situation. I would also deal only with the SM, not the service writer.

Personally, I would keep the car. You have done all your homework diligently and determined that this is the TV for you. Figuring that about 1% of these motors have overheating problems, especially if you get a new motor, which I would lobby for, you should not have any more overheating issues. The car and motor should perform just as expected for the other 99% of the owners.

Only you can decide what is best for you.

Good luck, Dan

Aage · 02-25-2014, 08:11 PM

mstephens,

I have no doubt that you will do the right thing for you.

If you take some time, let your head clear, and drive the car a bit again, the answer will come to you, and you will know it is right.

This is one of those times my old daddy would say, "In a hundred years, we'll all look back on this and laugh."

wkerfoot · 02-25-2014, 08:17 PM

I purchased a factory rebuilt transmission for my Town & Country Mini Van and it came with a 3 year 100,000 warranty. My daughter in law purchased a factory rebuilt transmission for her 1500 Dodge pickup and it came with a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty also. A factory rebuilt engine should come with a similar warranty.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstephens

Does anyone know....If they give me a new engine, will they give me a new 36000 mile warranty?

kscherzi · 02-25-2014, 08:30 PM

If you get a engine l vote to keep the car, at least for awhile. My feeling is the whole overheat problem isn't tied to your Airstream project.

mstephens · 02-25-2014, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

I purchased a factory rebuilt transmission for my Town & Country Mini Van and it came with a 3 year 100,000 warranty. My daughter in law purchased a factory rebuilt transmission for her 1500 Dodge pickup and it came with a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty also. A factory rebuilt engine should come with a similar warranty.

Bill

I would imagine there is going to be SOME sort of warranty. Of course I will be asking carefully whenever they explain clearly what is being done to the car. I was on the road out of town all day today, and only spoke once to the service writer who said the heads were off. So, of course, I don't have the whole story yet. I was just noodling things about the warranty, you know? I suppose if I got a significant warranty on the new engine (like 36000), that would make a case for "trying this thing out as a TV." Because for darn sure, I am going to take a hosing when I sell this.

I know, I know, I am kind of flip flopping around here, because I don't have the whole story yet.

TouringDan · 02-25-2014, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aage

mstephens,

I have no doubt that you will do the right thing for you.

If you take some time, let your head clear, and drive the car a bit again, the answer will come to you, and you will know it is right."

Great advice Aage.

Bob4x4 · 02-25-2014, 08:53 PM

Ok here comes a lot of typing on the phone. First off walk into any dodge Chrysler jeep dealer and ask how many 3.6 engines are awaiting repair. My location has more than half dozen. Policy is the engine is opened up and accurately inspected,pictures taken and sent off to corporate with a complete parts and labor break down. If it is more than 70% a reman assy will be used if authorized. The warranty does not get extended for any warranty paid repair. You do have a power train warranty that goes well beyond 3/36.
Now if they find out you are towing above the weight limit they have placed on your model your entire power train coverage will be restricted.

newroswell · 02-25-2014, 08:58 PM

mstephens, you own it already so make the most of it. You had a broke radiator cap and cracked reservoir, enough to put any vehicle on the side of the road. Lots of speculation beyond those facts about what caused what (lots of good diagnostic advice posted though!). It will have some type of replacement warranty when you get it back. Work it hard, if it breaks, it will be back on them. I know the Yucca Valley pass, pretty good choice to try things out if it's close by. Take a saturday, and if you can pull that pass a dozen times back-to-back, that should build confidence in the 300.

I'm sending you a PM also.

mstephens · 02-25-2014, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newroswell

mstephens, you own it already so make the most of it. You had a broke radiator cap and cracked reservoir, enough to put any vehicle on the side of the road. Lots of speculation beyond those facts about what caused what (lots of good diagnostic advice posted though!). It will have some type of replacement warranty when you get it back. Work it hard, if it breaks, it will be back on them. I know the Yucca Valley pass, pretty good choice to try things out if it's close by. Take a saturday, and if you can pull that pass a dozen times back-to-back, that should build confidence in the 300.

I'm sending you a PM also.

BTW, Yucca Valley Pass wss my FIRST pull test two weeks ago when it first overheated and left us on the shoulder. Eventually, any TV we use has to pass that test. It is mild compared to the Panamint entry to Death Valley. We often tow in 110F weather.

mstephens · 02-25-2014, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob4x4

Ok here comes a lot of typing on the phone. First off walk into any dodge Chrysler jeep dealer and ask how many 3.6 engines are awaiting repair. My location has more than half dozen. Policy is the engine is opened up and accurately inspected,pictures taken and sent off to corporate with a complete parts and labor break down. If it is more than 70% a reman assy will be used if authorized. The warranty does not get extended for any warranty paid repair. You do have a power train warranty that goes well beyond 3/36.
Now if they find out you are towing above the weight limit they have placed on your model your entire power train coverage will be restricted.

When you say , waiting for repair, do you know how long? Do you work for the dealer? I gather you are saying that my 100,000 mi power train warranty will cover any future heat related problem?

Bob4x4 · 02-25-2014, 09:32 PM

It is a revolving door. They are worked on every day but more show up as the first in get finished. Mostly head replacements.

Bob4x4 · 02-25-2014, 09:34 PM

Not necessarily heat related but any power train issues till they figure out you are towing too heavy

Bob4x4 · 02-25-2014, 10:03 PM

One more thing as I recall your trans cooler is not in the radiator but is in front of the radiator unless it is different than the hemi version

dkottum · 02-25-2014, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob4x4

Not necessarily heat related but any power train issues till they figure out you are towing too heavy

Bob, would you have some words of encouragement. He's already been beat up by some of his fellow Airstreamers, no need to put a stick in his eye.

If this is a problematic engine, Chrysler most surely needs to get it fixed, not try to worm out of it. Their future may be at stake on this engine if what we hear, here, is true.

If this was not a problematic engine, I suppose they could worm out of it and get away with it.

Everyone knows the problem is not a towing issue, it's an engine issue.