[gmfreak]

Let's talk about those engine failures in Pacificas?

They wanted close to 5k last year because to really determine if it was the head gasket they wanted to do a tear down. In the end, I finally got that bit covered, but these Pacifica threads talk about people paying at least 3k for that replacement. I’m still awaiting news from Chrysler lawyers...

www.pacificaforums.com

Thanks for the link. I'm showing the video to the dealer and the comments. One of the comments describes what's happening to me exactly.

 

[ThisSuckersElectrical]

Thanks for the link. I'm showing the video to the dealer and the comments. One of the comments describes what's happening to me exactly.

I'm sure if you go directly to the video more have chimed in since it was uploaded.

 

[ThisSuckersElectrical]

@gmfreak
I just noticed your previous GM comments. These links I posted earlier might interest you as well.

At 70,000 miles Dealer says new engine

I see a trend beginning on higher milage Pacificas. Report your finding to NHTSA | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration I’ve reported my issues and would love to know if you or anyone knows how to go about a class action. There are too many of us facing coolant intrusion, head gasket...

www.pacificaforums.com

 

[CANADAHYBRIDGUY]

The engine is used in ram , Pacifica , caravan , wrangler , grand Cherokee, gladiator , Durango , voyager . So if your concerned about block and heads I’d suggest you cross reference the forums about and see if there’s any attrition . Just remember that the pentastar motor has a 1st gen as well .

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

I popped in at the dealership this afternoon and was able to look at the torn down engine and chat with the technician. The head gasket for sure had a bulge and warping around cylinder 3. The coolant tank was also low to empty. Tech said for sure coolant and moisture getting into cylinder 3. Tech also showed me the oil sludge. Had the milk chocolatey look. I am not sure how the sludge could have formed using synthetic oil getting oil changes changing out filters. My fear is when Mopar does their inspection and report, they will say the sludge was caused by not getting oil and filter changes every 3000 miles or what the manufactures says. And that the sludge in engine caused the head gasket to fail. I bought the van at 36k miles from detailer and would love to know what inside of engine looked like when I bought it.
Anyone have experience with Mopar trying to get them to honor the warranty and not have them pin the blame on me? The technician I chatted with today is recommending a new engine based on everything he sees, just a matter if Mopar pays for it? Cause if its on me to pay, I scraping it and saying **** you to Chrysler and their vehicles for good.

 

[M0Par]

I popped in at the dealership this afternoon and was able to look at the torn down engine and chat with the technician. The head gasket for sure had a bulge and warping around cylinder 3. The coolant tank was also low to empty. Tech said for sure coolant and moisture getting into cylinder 3. Tech also showed me the oil sludge. Had the milk chocolatey look. I am not sure how the sludge could have formed using synthetic oil getting oil changes changing out filters. My fear is when Mopar does their inspection and report, they will say the sludge was caused by not getting oil and filter changes every 3000 miles or what the manufactures says. And that the sludge in engine caused the head gasket to fail. I bought the van at 36k miles from detailer and would love to know what inside of engine looked like when I bought it.
Anyone have experience with Mopar trying to get them to honor the warranty and not have them pin the blame on me? The technician I chatted with today is recommending a new engine based on everything he sees, just a matter if Mopar pays for it? Cause if its on me to pay, I scraping it and saying **** you to Chrysler and their vehicles for good.

That sludge is 100% coolant mixed with oil. It's not bad oil that formed from an extended oil change interval.
Check out this video for what's happening to your vehicle:

They owe you a new engine, with or without the extended warranty

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

I actually did watch that video before going to the dealership. So I was a little taken back when the tech said coolant leakage would not cause that sludge. I mean the whole coolant tank was close to empty. So I think he was wrong in his suggestion. I was able to track down my last 2 oil changes. 51491 miles, and then 59906. both with synthetic oil. van is at around 65-66k now

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

I actually did watch that video before going to the dealership. So I was a little taken back when the tech said coolant leakage would not cause that sludge. I mean the whole coolant tank was close to empty. So I think he was wrong in his suggestion. I was able to track down my last 2 oil changes. 51491 miles, and then 59906. both with synthetic oil. van is at around 65-66k now

@ChryslerCares I would like to be able to contact you via phone for support. Could you please respond? Thanks

 

[PacificaMinivanFan]

It all comes down to Chrysler quality control if you ask me. Seems to be a little shoddy. They need to be issuing a recall or something, but never will. This engine is in a majority of the newish FCA vehicles. It'd be too much for the bean counters to justify. They rather have someone bring a class action suit and pay the fees to fight in court. They don't care. Just look at what people have gone through with GM and some of the issues related to oil burning in brand new vehicles. Instead of fixing the issue they rather fight it.

Yes, I understand all of that, but my inquiry is a technical one.

What the devil is the exact cause of these similar failures? Are failing Pentastars 3.6s only in Pacificas? And is there anything any of us can do to prevent our currently good engines turning into Stellantis junk?

Certainly by now someone, perhaps even one who is a member of this site, can answer one or more of these questions.

 

[M0Par]

Yes, I understand all of that, but my inquiry is a technical one.

What the devil is the exact cause of these similar failures? Are failing Pentastars 3.6s only in Pacificas? And is there anything any of us can do to prevent our currently good engines turning into Stellantis junk?

Certainly by now someone, perhaps even one who is a member of this site, can answer one or more of these questions.

Could the early Pentastar issues be resurfacing???

 

[M0Par]

Also look at the comment left in the last day and notice the similarity to the mileage for most of the vehicles reported here. They are ticking time bombs:

An article on the Pentastar weaknesses:
The 4 Most Common FCA Pentastar 3.6L Engine Problems - Tuning Pro

Another video:
Chrysler 3.6 Pentastar V6 Left Bank Cylinder Head Repair Common Misfire Codes P0302 P0303 P0306 - YouTube

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

Another bit of info re oil changes I pulled was looking back at the original carfax report I was given when I purchased the vehicle. I bring this up because I am sure the mopar inspector is going to say the sludge build up was my fault. But per the carfax report, the vehicle was originally sold (156 miles) to another dealership as a corporate car. The first service on vehicle was done at 10162 miles. Then was done at 22450 miles. Then the next service was when the dealer I bought it from at 36179 miles. so an approx avg of 13000 miles between oil changes. So it will be interesting if Mopar rejects the warranty saying the oil sludge is due to me only doing oil change every 5-7k miles.

 

[M0Par]

Another bit of info re oil changes I pulled was looking back at the original carfax report I was given when I purchased the vehicle. I bring this up because I am sure the mopar inspector is going to say the sludge build up was my fault. But per the carfax report, the vehicle was originally sold (156 miles) to another dealership as a corporate car. The first service on vehicle was done at 10162 miles. Then was done at 22450 miles. Then the next service was when the dealer I bought it from at 36179 miles. so an approx avg of 13000 miles between oil changes. So it will be interesting if Mopar rejects the warranty saying the oil sludge is due to me only doing oil change every 5-7k miles.

Except it's not oil sludge. It's coolant sludge. The whole oil sludge thing is a distraction.

 

[gmfreak]

Could the early Pentastar issues be resurfacing???

I don't think it was ever fully fixed honestly. I think most people either don't pay attention until it's too late and just give up on the vehicle or there's those like us that keep an eye on things and discuss. It seems to be an issue that crops up at some point in the engines lifetime just different mileages now.

 

[Fvega84]

Hello y’all so does @mopar or @chrylsercare have a solution for this issue I have a 2018 Pacifica 64k miles the vehicle had Po303 misfire cyl 3 the car didn’t want to turn like the engine ceased up my mechanic found the cyl3 filled with coolant

 

[Jaguar4d]

I’m assuming they will try the “ maintenance records “ route . Since the van is 5-6 yrs old , depending on its build , there’s a few ways that a head gasket can go . Was the coolant reservoir bottle empty , oil analysis done ?

Actually i had not thought of checking that. It was very low. At least in the reservoir it was below MIN. I did fill it to right below Max 2 days ago while it was warm and this morning it was low again .

How do you determine if there is coolant in the oil?

thank you for the feedback!!

 

[M0Par]

Hello y’all so does @mopar or @chrylsercare have a solution for this issue I have a 2018 Pacifica 64k miles the vehicle had Po303 misfire cyl 3 the car didn’t want to turn like the engine ceased up my mechanic found the cyl3 filled with coolant

Hopefully you're still under warranty. If not send Chrysler Cares a PM with your name and VIN to start a case. These issues are rampant with the Pentastar engine.

 

[Fvega84]

Hopefully you're still under warranty. If not send Chrysler Cares a PM with your name and VIN to start a case. These issues are rampant with the Pentastar engine.

Thank you

 

[Jaguar4d]

Hopefully you're still under warranty. If not send Chrysler Cares a PM with your name and VIN to start a case. These issues are rampant with the Pentastar engine.

Thank you for the info. My vehicle's extended warranty ends Nov 15 and have an appointment with dealer Nov 8th. I hope they don't try to screw me on it or give me an excuse why my extended MOPAR warranty wouldn't cover it. It's also at 94K which is under the 100K warranty. I will send a PM to get things rolling to at least add another VIN to the list of bad engines.

 

[Fvega84]

Thank you for the info. My vehicle's extended warranty ends Nov 15 and have an appointment with dealer Nov 8th. I hope they don't try to screw me on it or give me an excuse why my extended MOPAR warranty wouldn't cover it. It's also at 94K which is under the 100K warranty. I will send a PM to get things rolling to at least add another VIN to the list of bad engines.

So just got off the phone with Chrysler they can’t do nothing to help since I’m the 2nd owner and the year of the car and mileage will never buy Chrysler again @ChryslerCares