NHTSA Complaint #10174138 — 1999 DODGE INTREPID

DODGE INTREPID 1998 TO LATEST MODEL YEAR. ENGINE 2.7L PROBLEM ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS ENGINE CAUSED BY THE WATER PUMP. THE WEEP (VENT) HOLE IS LOCATED BETWEEN THE HEADS IN THE "V" VALLEY OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE WEEP HOLE IS TO ALERT THE OWNER OR MECHANIC OF A EARLY SIGN THAT THE WATER PUMP IS ABOUT TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE WEEP HOLE IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE VALLEY AND CANNOT BE SEEN. ANY ENGINE COOLANT THAT DRAINS IN THE VALLEY EVAPORATES DUE TO ENGINE HEAT AND TIME. AS TIME GOES ON THE FRONT AND LAST SEAL IN THE PUMP FAILS AND COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE ENGINE OIL CAUSING SLUDGE AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE WEEP HOLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ROUTED TO THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE SO THE OWNER MECHANIC CAN SEE A COOLANT LEAK. A WATER PUMP SHOULD NEVER BE IN A LOCATION WHERE IT'S FAILURE COULD CAUSE COOLANT TO MIX INTO THE ENGINE OIL, THIS IS THE DESIGN FLAW! THIS IS WHY I FEEL THAT THESE ENGINE FAIL WITH MILEAGE OF LITTLE AS 30,000 MILES. WATER PUMPS CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. IN THIS CASE WITH THE 2.7L ENGINE THERE IS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. THE CAR I HAVE, I PURCHASED WITH A FAILED ENGINE AND WILL REPAIR THE 2.7L ENGINE AND ALTER THE WEEP HOLE WITH A SMALL COPPER PIPE AND ROUTE IT SO IT CAN BE SEEN IF COOLANT LEAKS. I HAVE PHOTO'S OF THE WEEP HOLE IF YOU NEED THEM. *JB