BLUF: (Bottom line upfront) Should I purchase a new Chrysler 3.6L Pentastar engine part# 68237714AD (Made in Mexico) OR should I purchase a Chrysler remanufactured engine from AER, remanufactured in Texas, I believe. The local Chrysler dealership has quoted me $9,800 to purchase the new engine, take the old engine out, put the new engine in and make it good to go again.
Van Background: 2018 Pacifica Limited, 65,500 miles (5,500 miles past warranty). 2 weeks ago, engine started rough and engine light turned. 2 days later, the engine light started flashing. After a google search, found out it was a miss in section 5. The day after that, coolant smell in the vents and white/grey vapors coming from the tailpipe. Opened the hood saw there was no coolant in the reservoir. Had it towed to the local dealership and they first thought it was just a blown head gasket, but upon further inspection using a scope, they discovered the block was cracked.
I researched many remanufactured engines online and what I thought were great deals ended up being the companies are probably scam companies based on company reviews and BBB reviews. Junkyards are a crapshoot on what you're getting as far as quality and most that I have found are high miles.
So I called the Dealership parts department and listed is what I found out.
OPTION 1: I Called the Chrysler dealership and talked to the parts department. They can order a new (remanufactured) engine from AER out of Texas, which I guess is contracted with Chrysler and a bunch of other car manufactures to produce their remanufactured engines. The engine is $5,200 but when I return the core, the price ends up being $4,850, plus tax for a grand total of $5,125 for the engine. The engine is on backorder with 109 engines already on backorder and no way to tell when the engine will show up.
OPTION 2: The dealership (Service department and parts department on a teleconference with me) called me yesterday and they said they have a brand new (not remanufactured) 3.6L PentaStar engine, part# 68237714AD tucked away in the corner of their parts warehouse. They had ordered it for a different customer about 8 months ago, but the customer backed out of purchasing the engine and decided to just purchase a new vehicle instead. The dealership, according to them, has been fighting with Chrysler Corporation for the past 8 month to return the engine and so far, Chrysler refuses to accept the return and give the money back. Not entirely sure if I believe that story....that they just happen to have brand new engine that I need, when both a new engine from Chrysler or a remanufactured engine from AER are both on backorder.
Bought the van used in late January 2020 for $28,500 with 34,700 miles. Paid it completely off in September 2021. Added new Michelin Cross Climate 2 tires in fall 2021 and with $4,000 worth of interest on the loan (Yes we had a very high APR), we are into the vehicle total about $33,500
Not very interested in paying the very high prices for vans now adays and not very interested in having another $400-600 van monthly payment, especially with the feds raising interest rates.
Any thoughts, opinions and or advice on the differences between the 2 engines and if I should invest $10,000 into the van or if I should just buy a new or used van?
Van Background: 2018 Pacifica Limited, 65,500 miles (5,500 miles past warranty). 2 weeks ago, engine started rough and engine light turned. 2 days later, the engine light started flashing. After a google search, found out it was a miss in section 5. The day after that, coolant smell in the vents and white/grey vapors coming from the tailpipe. Opened the hood saw there was no coolant in the reservoir. Had it towed to the local dealership and they first thought it was just a blown head gasket, but upon further inspection using a scope, they discovered the block was cracked.
I researched many remanufactured engines online and what I thought were great deals ended up being the companies are probably scam companies based on company reviews and BBB reviews. Junkyards are a crapshoot on what you're getting as far as quality and most that I have found are high miles.
So I called the Dealership parts department and listed is what I found out.
OPTION 1: I Called the Chrysler dealership and talked to the parts department. They can order a new (remanufactured) engine from AER out of Texas, which I guess is contracted with Chrysler and a bunch of other car manufactures to produce their remanufactured engines. The engine is $5,200 but when I return the core, the price ends up being $4,850, plus tax for a grand total of $5,125 for the engine. The engine is on backorder with 109 engines already on backorder and no way to tell when the engine will show up.
OPTION 2: The dealership (Service department and parts department on a teleconference with me) called me yesterday and they said they have a brand new (not remanufactured) 3.6L PentaStar engine, part# 68237714AD tucked away in the corner of their parts warehouse. They had ordered it for a different customer about 8 months ago, but the customer backed out of purchasing the engine and decided to just purchase a new vehicle instead. The dealership, according to them, has been fighting with Chrysler Corporation for the past 8 month to return the engine and so far, Chrysler refuses to accept the return and give the money back. Not entirely sure if I believe that story....that they just happen to have brand new engine that I need, when both a new engine from Chrysler or a remanufactured engine from AER are both on backorder.
Bought the van used in late January 2020 for $28,500 with 34,700 miles. Paid it completely off in September 2021. Added new Michelin Cross Climate 2 tires in fall 2021 and with $4,000 worth of interest on the loan (Yes we had a very high APR), we are into the vehicle total about $33,500
Not very interested in paying the very high prices for vans now adays and not very interested in having another $400-600 van monthly payment, especially with the feds raising interest rates.
Any thoughts, opinions and or advice on the differences between the 2 engines and if I should invest $10,000 into the van or if I should just buy a new or used van?
