I have an opportunity to get a really good price on a repo'd 2002 Chrysler Concorde LX in immaculate condition with 48k miles. The only catch is that I'm finding out that the 2.7 has a bad reputation for developing oil sludge and seizing the crank and ultimately resulting in the motor needing to be replaced.
Anyone here have this motor, or at least know about it? After finding this site here
http://www.dontbuyone.org/ and reading all of those horror stories, I'd be a fool to not think twice about getting myself into one of these. But I'm going to need a safe roomy family car here pretty soon, and ultimately I like the car, and I know there is nothing presently wrong with the car, just got repo'd. I put the Chrysler scanner on it myself, no codes or anything, ran as many tests as I could, everything is normal.
My good mechanic friend that has had alot of experience with them warned me about the issue, but said based on hearing it make a cold start after sitting for months, that it was good. So I dunno, kinda in a pickle, just want to get some feedback if anyone has any info or stories to offer.
-- John
Whoa John,
Seriously think about this. After reading that site a bit and other sites linked to it. You would have to be crazy to buy it. Sometimes things are just to good to be true. If it were one or 2 people complaining that's no big deal...but to have mechanics and 30 or so websites all say stay away...i'd take that as pretty serious.
Even without reading those i knew going in that Chrysler reliability is horrid...at best. I'd avoid any used Chyrsler/Dodge/Plymouth/Jeep products. they are garbage. Only the Wrangler and Cherokees seem to not be affected by poor build quality.
Stay away there has got to something better, i'd never be to desperate to buy something that has so many hate websites dedicated to promoting how horrid it is.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
The Chrysler 2.7L v6 is easily regarded as the worst engine ever built ...
I wouldnt own one if it was given to me.
I would run as fast as I could from that car. The 2.7 is a horrible engine.
Quote:
Watching you parade around my bedroom in a thong was a little like watching sea lions mate.
Repo'd? Hell no. If they couldn't afford their payments, what makes you think they could afford oil changes? Having worked on these things, I can honestly tell you I don't think they were as bad a motor as they were made out to be, but I certainly would never trust one that was from a rental company or a repo. Assuming it HAD been maintained properly, it would probably be ok, but I wouldn't make that assumption in this case.
Arrival Blue 04 LS Sport
Eco
Turbo
Megasquirt
'Nuff said
pwnd.
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- Sold my beloved J in April 2010 -
my previous neighbour - an elderly gentleman - owned a 2001 sebring with the 2.7L. He wasn't very keen on cars so he only kept-up with the basic maintenance
package, and he got 90,000+ miles from it (before he got in a car accident).
I honestly thought it was a reasonable car/engine. It was peppy, and I never heard him complain about any engine problems in the 6 years he owned it (and loved to talk). I think with any car - however trouble-prone - basic maintenance is key.
[ o ][][][][][][][][ o ] coach built xj ( o \[][][][][][][]/ o ) hid wj
It's a Concorde...isn't that reason enough not to buy it?
1989 Z24 Convertible - Dust Covered
2006 tC - Dust Covered, but driven more
I work at a body shop for a DCJ dealer, so spare parts and such are really easy to come by. The reason it got repo'd is because the owner didn't ever pay their deductible once the car was repaired (which I did all the suspension work and such myself), and it sat there forever. So I at least know some history about the car and owner, and my manager is selling the car now and is willing to cut me a great price on it, about half of what market value is. My Chrysler mechanic friend gives the car his approval, just said I should immediately change the oil and filter, flush it out again after a week or so, then do another change with synthetic, then just make absolutely certain that I change it on time.
So basically this is what I'm thinking.. is it worth it to save alot of money on the car now (which I can pay for cash and avoid payments), and do what I can to prevent the sludge, and get as much use out of it as possible, and if indeed the motor goes, just swap it out with a more reliable 3.2L v6? I can do all the work myself, so really it would only cost me the $1000 to buy the used motor, which all together would still be alot cheaper than buying one that already has one.
I know all this sounds pointless, but I do really like the car personally, and with my baby boy on the way here soon, I just want a big family car that I can easily afford (no car payments), just means taking a little bit of a gamble. So anywho, any other people have anything good to say about them?
-- John
My girls Intrepid with that motor in it seized up on here as well, only after 1 year of owning it.. Luckily the dealier bought it back from her and paid it off.. That car was a piece.
~2014 New Z under the knife, same heart different body~
______________________
WHITECAVY no more
2012 numbers - 4SPD AUTOMATIC!!
328 HP
306 TQ
My mom had a Sebring 2.7L for 4 or 5 years, about 160000kms. It never had, or showed any signs of engine trouble. Amazing gas mileage too. My parents are a basic maintenance people; oil changes every 5-6000 kms.
Like I said, I've seen them seize before, but that was only cars from owners who were very sketchy about maintenance. Synthetic would probably not be a bad idea, but I'd be really skeptical. I know you'd be getting it from your employer, but you have to ask yourself if you really trust that he's going to stand by it later if the engine does seize... Its a gamble, and I'm not sure its one I'd take considering limited funds and a baby on the way, you know? If you trust your dealer buddies to take care of you, then I guess you should go for it.
Arrival Blue 04 LS Sport
Eco
Turbo
Megasquirt
'Nuff said
John Piparo wrote:I have an opportunity to get a really good price on a repo'd 2002 Chrysler Concorde LX in immaculate condition with 48k miles. The only catch is that I'm finding out that the 2.7 has a bad reputation for developing oil sludge and seizing the crank and ultimately resulting in the motor needing to be replaced.
Anyone here have this motor, or at least know about it? After finding this site here http://www.dontbuyone.org/ and reading all of those horror stories, I'd be a fool to not think twice about getting myself into one of these. But I'm going to need a safe roomy family car here pretty soon, and ultimately I like the car, and I know there is nothing presently wrong with the car, just got repo'd. I put the Chrysler scanner on it myself, no codes or anything, ran as many tests as I could, everything is normal.
My good mechanic friend that has had alot of experience with them warned me about the issue, but said based on hearing it make a cold start after sitting for months, that it was good. So I dunno, kinda in a pickle, just want to get some feedback if anyone has any info or stories to offer.
being a dodge charger guy now, the 2.7L is the smallest they install in the charger. the 3.5 and the 2.7 is like the 2200 and 2.2 over here, so i;ve heard some of the stories.
in summary some of the older 2.7L had a small oil passage or passages. the oil would, as they put it over there, fry and gunk up the passages and cause a starvation issue for oil... kinda like the #3 rod bearing issue was on some of the 2.4L's here.
the newer 2.7L's arent suspect to that problem, however theres still the inherent fear over there.
if theres someway to figure out the condition of the engine, its worth a shot. also depending on what you plan to do with the car, race or hotrod it, that can also be a factor.... just as you hear so many stories about the bad, there are stories about no problems and high miles. also check out
http://www.allpar.com thats like a NYjbodies used to be on here, but deals with all dodge engines, transmssions, models and makes. near the top of the page, check out the v6 engine under the list for engines and look for the 2.7 make up.... that can give you more insight...
g'luck with it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Saturday, January 19, 2008 3:16 AM
Some of you might think this unwise but after alot of thinking I decided to get the car. Definitely could not pass it up with the price we settled on, and believe me I checked out the car as thoroughly as possible and there just ain't nothing wrong with it, its in great condition and rides like a new car. The car guy in me wants to trick it out of course and get 20s and such, but other than factory upgrades that I come across for free at the shop, this is going to be the baby-mobile and as simple as possible. I'll probably put some HIDs in it soon, maybe Pioneer flipout monitor I have laying around, ps2, and maybe install a small box with a 12 in it, and I'll keep an eye open for a factory woodgrain wheel and leather seats. So it will still get some love, but just won't waste any new money into it.
Btw I'm still keeping the Batmobile, I'm fortunate enough to not have to get rid of it (at least for now)
.
-- John
Also thanks everyone for giving me your input, I weighed all the pro's and con's and made my decision based on that.
-- John
Go for it if it's less than blue book value. Just remember to use only the recommended type of engine oil (5W-20, I believe).
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2002 Sunfire -->
- Ractive steering wheel
- ASA 17" EM9 + Nexen N5000 215/45/17 (steelies for winter)
- D-Spec Lowering kit @ 1.4" (issues currently
)
- Rockford P250.1 + MTX MZS1004 + Panasonic CQ-C8313U head unit
- Barely legal tint.
nothing wrong with it.........yet.
LOL
yeah, i say if it was just insanely below book. Take it and run it into the ground. By time it blows up you'll probably be ready for another car anyway. Good luck
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
DON'T DO IT. I work in the automotive aftermarket, so take my word for it.
They are horrible.
Most common problem is the timing belt letting loose, causing bent valves in the entire engine.
Lotsa $$$ to fix. Right around $3,500 for a new/rebuilt engine.
2006 COBALT SS SEDAN 2.4 ECOtec V.V.T.
Kevin Richter RE: 2.7
I know this is an old post but,the 2.7 does not have a timing belt,it has a timing chain...
You must be thinking of Honda/Acura engines they are complete garbage,timing belt goes 30k or less,then it snaps and bent valves..
Toyota/lexus has oil sludge peoblems 3.8 million vehicles,Chrysler's 98-99 2.7 oil sludge was a rare occurance,just mostly on beat cars,x rentals ect..
I am a mechanic ,20 years exp.I work at a large lease/multi make dealer..My wife owns a 91 Z24 conv since new only 55k,and a 2004 Chrysler Sebring 2.7 60k and running like new..
We actually see more Toyota's with sludge than any other car,Honda's head gasket,water pump,timing belt..
^^^Why bring this back....Anyways, my brothers intrepid had bad sludging problems, and EGR problems for most of the cars life. It is still running last I heard.
PRND321 Till I DIE
Old Motor: 160whp & 152ft/lbs, 1/4 Mile 15.4 @88.2
M45 + LD9 + 4T40-E, GO GO GO
My first though was he has to be new... new people tend to find old, long dead threads that noone cares about and throw in there 2 cents to impress us with their superior knowledge.
Then I checked his profile and saw he joined today
who cares about dead threads. if it wasn't for them we'd have nothing to read
Someone brought it back so I gotta know.. Is the car still running? if so good if not swap a 3.0 into it! with love they run forever!
to add on to the zombie thread, my old lady's 99 concord had 149,xxx miles and her dad has owned it since new, it burns oil untill it gets a half qt. low then stops....its weird, and they still are waiting on the sludge to claim it's life.
