In this video I bring you along as I look at a customer 2017 Chrysler Pacifica with the big 3.6 that has a complaint of "no start, no crank." Might have something to do with what I found in the oil pan but then again I am no expert...
-Enjoy!
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South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
-Enjoy!
If an SMA Video has helped you out please consider giving using "Patreon" to help support us. The videos take real time to create and pull us away from real work that pays our bills. CLICK HERE: https://www.patreon.com/southmainauto
CHECK OUT OUR "SMA SWAG" STORE! Go on Teespring and get your very own SMA merch!
https://teespring.com/stores/the-sma-store
If you don't like Patreon feel free to use the "PayPal Me" link: https://www.paypal.me/SouthMainAuto
The South Main Auto Amazon Store:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/southmainautorepairavoca
AES Wave Automotive Diagnostic Tools: https://www.aeswave.com/cart.php?m=affiliate_go&affiliateID=2525b91fc8e906e8215984074c9d9e8f&go=https://www.aeswave.com/Miscellaneous-p9347.html
Thank you for all the continuing support!
--Eric & Vanessa O.
Feel like sending some swag to SMA because you love the videos but don't know where to send it?
Just ship it here:
South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
I'd call up that company on the banner and quote a rebuilt engine to the customer. It looks like a decently clean vehicle, so aside from commiting to staying in a Dodge it might not be a bad investment.
How many miles on the engine Eric ?
I have worked on older engines that had the problems you pointed out, and often found if it was not a blown head gasket that it was a cracked block. Which was cracked internally, in the water jacket and crank case. Had a blown head gasket on a 1972 Ford F-100, that was caused by a bad radiator. Which taught me a very valuable lesson on rebuilding engines, and not having the radiator re-cored. Or at least acid cleaned, and patched before putting the new engine in.
Another piece of junk Chrysler…..Cant believe they are still in business
Just two new front tires & she'll start right up!
Your mic is a damn good mic. If you have a good enough sound system that drizzle can be heard. Amazing.
He's dead, Jim…
I know a guy who blew threw 2 of those 3.6 engines. Only cause a moron with a lead foot. No one let's him drive there cars and even the company doesn't let him drive a company vehicle since he blew the engine on a Toyota.
No matter what brand you buy, you’re going to have problems at some point
I was shaking my head the minute you said she'd been driving around with overheating problems and having to constantly add water. Chryslers have a sh*t product but this was preventable. Operator error.
I always go for the dipstick on overheats 1st thing. People gotta stop if the light comes on..
Almost bought one of those but price was too high compared to the grand caravan. Ended up getting a 2017 grand caravan with 7.5k miles on it in December 2021, stupid low miles at a price that was equivalent to the same van with 60k miles. I guess it was a sitter, has 16k on it now and running like a top.
Yep, water in the BOTTOM means it's done cooking, nice and juicy.
We owned one Chrysler product, a Dodge Grand Caravan in the 90’s. Never again. I had the transmission rebuilt twice within 75,000 miles, as well as a top end rebuild. Junk!
She’s better honestly taking that 5-6000 she’ll pay on a new engine for a Toyota Sienna or something better. Chrysler pretty much builds crap for the bulk of its line. About the only good thing they make are the ram trucks of which I’m a currently happy owner of and haven’t had an issue with yet with. It has the V8 mind you. Well done again Eric and keep up the great work.
I judge a manufacturer’s reliability by how far out of warranty it makes it before a stupid issue arises, if it even makes it out of warranty. With that being said most of all modern cars suck in one way or another. I think the golden age of reliability we will never see again was late 90’s to early 2000’s Toyota and Honda. Even though they used tiny fasteners that always sized dissimilar metals into the aluminum blocks with our north eastern winters. They never really broke down parts would just go bad.
Those motors are famous for leaking internal water pumps. I don't know if that engine has the internal water pump, inside the timing chain cover, but if it is, that's where the water is getting in. Either way the motor is hatched. : after reading comments, I think I'm quite a few years out of date, lol oh well.
Millions of chrysler minivans on the road that have been properly maintained and are problem free.crap on em if you want but when taken care of they are good vehicles,especially for the low prices they can be had for.any car that can go 10 years with zero problems is certainly not bottom of the barrel.
Water in the oil is bad news. I am so glad I only buy Toyota and lexus vehicles.
I am starting to hear that the 3.6 V6 are starting to show increasingly frequent head failures, more specifically, cracked heads.
Mr.O thanks for all the content you make us. I work at a Chrysler dealer and we are seeing quite a few of the new generation 3.6L engines(with variable valve lift and cooled EGR) like you are working with here that have head gasket failures. Typically it will have cold start misfires and if pressure tested for a long period of time. You can use a borescope to look on top of the cylinder and you will see coolant coming in. Like you said, this one did get hot, but just some information to share. .any thanks from one of your many viewers.
Where was she putting the water in? In the oil fill?
I have done the head gasket and head rebuild thing on chryslers before, will never do it again. Just the minor issue of raising the compression back to factory can throw the rod bearings out. You should have used your fancy dancy scope to look down at it 🙂
Tom Petty and Ratt. Shop music hasn't changed in 30 years. I'd think if she gave it a good cooking the oil or coolant would have the telltale stank, if you got your nose back, that is.
Soon as I heard the problem and you said she'd been pouring water in it and then it wouldn't start the next morning my 1st thought was well that head gasket is done completely shot and filled the pistons up with water as it set overnight it blew the pressure into the pistons instead of into the overflow I'm happy to know I was right lol
Engine is done and now way I would even mess with opening it up for a rebuild. Used engine route is indeed the way to go for this car. It just makes financial sense.
First thought… She put the water into the oil hole. Humm?
So what is the cost of a new engine.
The 3.6L could also have a leaking oil cooler. That's a cheap and easy fix and if it was an internal leak, this could cause the oil and coolant to mix.
It's a Dodge what do you expect . Enough said.
It is rare that the 3.6l v6 does this but it can be a one off poorly manufactured engine or the owner neglected the maintenance, such as changing the oil and engine oil filter or flushing the coolant.
On the whole, the most common issues with these engines are the rocker arms and hydraulic lifters and that affects than 3% of these engines and it is mostly in the Jeeps that have most of these issues. It occurs mostly on engines that have been poorly maintained and on average the earliest these valve train issues occur is around 40 to 45 000 miles but i've seen them with over 120k miles on them and in both cases it is all about maintenance.
I had a 3.6l v6 in my 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan and the engine was amazing and the vehicle overall was amazingly reliable. I had over 140 000 miles on it less than 8 years. One of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned and it was also great on gas.
Blue light is very difficult on your eyes and more difficult to focus in and out of (as in looking at gauges then the road) hence ships and aircraft have soft red lighting during night navigation. Why would Chrysler fit such a retina searing gauge cluster? But it is Chrysler….so they probably did absolutely no research.
toasted
These old school mechanics that actually diagnose rather than just throw parts at it are so hard to find. I can do parts roulette myself, sadly the only shop close to me like south main just closed. The owner was such a good guy, told my gf her head gasket was blown (over heating, water in the oil the usual) he said well we can fix it but if you've been saving for a new car that would be the best route as the car wasn't worth the repair cost. I wandered in awhile later after buying an old car that had a lot of miles 91 Caprice, I changed the oil which was disgusting and it started smoking out the exhaust bad. He said ah hell just change the oil again and dump in a can of restore that thing was probably used to that sludgey goop filling all the worn valve guides etc… I did and have put another 25k miles on since. Granted it's a band aid but aside from a total rebuild which it will need soon I'm sure he bought me another 3 years without even looking at the car. No smoke still runs great even with the lifter tap it's had for 40k lots of power even at almost 200k on the clock not bad for a 305… R.I.P Mike you were a great guy.
put a starter in it change the oil and trade it in
That's what you have to do sometimes Mr.O I've had a few folks want to repair a vehicle that the motors were junk from the factory and more often than not it was more beneficial to get a new used one for cheap repair spectrums were like the Yugo of the day. I do remember when Chrysler's were the standard to behold from the 60s to the 80s.
Hey what’s next ? How’s about some door lock actuators on a caravan 😂 !! Just kidding
pulled out the chris cuomo on that cooler 🤣😀
Those Chrysler 3.6s seem to drop like flies….
I got a YouTube reply to a comment.Did you send me a reply to text you ? Seems fishy and from a Texas area code.
Everyone I know: “Buy American!”
Me: “I wish I could, have you met Chrysler?”
My first work experience was in the shop at a Chrysler dealership. The mechanics would just complain about how crappy the cars were they were working on. This was in the mid-80's with the K Cars. Nice to see nothing has changed.
Time must be moving faster the older I get. I didn't realize these had been on the market for five years already.
Awesome
My dad was Chrysler all day long.
I owned Dodges thought they were great 👍
Last one i owned was a 98 Dakota…
I had the opportunity to buy a 94 Nissan D21..
Night and day. That Nissan taught me I didn't have to spend All weekend. Every weekend fixing my truck
Eric sure is thorough, he even checked the van for Covid!
Yup i told bro he downgraded from lexus sc400 to chrysler 300 smh
Talk to the camera not the car!
Professionally said, and with honesty
Same engine in Wrangler right? Pentastar is pretty bullet proof.
I'd never seen anyone turn an engine manually and listen as you did. I'll try to remember that should I run into such a situation. Chryslers turn me off, same with Dodges. Yeah they may be real road burners for a short time, as I see on some videos. Long term, who knows? I still recall the cars of the 60s and 70s, ran like raped apes, rusted badly.
More like Chrysler poopcifica
Did Putin annex Flint Michigan yet?
I wonder if the Chrysler engineers came from the 5.4 L 3 valve Ford design engineering section?
CYA
I agree with the call of a replacement engine. No telling how much coolant has passed through the bearings in addition to the probably of warped heads.
As for those people bad mouthing Dodge. I have made alot of money from Dodge owners over the years.
Good diagnosis and recommendation… point of diminishing returns.
How often do you encounter Pentastar Oil filter cooler housings leaking? My neighbor has a 2017 Jeep JK his was leaking oil like crazy, I replaced it, not too bad of a job, did the spark plugs while I was in there.
That belly pan is for aerodynamics-less drag
Should be spelled "CRY" SLER 😥 , I Had a 06 town and country that lived at the repair shop !
and there's also a chance replacing the head gasket and it could run for another hundred thousand miles… Starters no big deal
In my opinion is that’s what you get for owning a Dodge. They are lower priced when bought new but in the long run you pay the difference ten fold in repairs
Its not bad unless you have multiple holes punched thru the side of the engine. everything else is fixable. Oh except for the story I heard once, of a Greyhound bus in Australia, that someone had sabotaged with valve grinding paste in the oil filter. The Detroit dealer said the entire engine was contaminated with carborundum material, and was 100% unsalvageable. They pulled the engine and threw the whole thing into a scrap bin. Aluminum engines do not like being hot……..the head and block could well be warped.
Hate newer cars, way to complicated.
Sheesh, the FCA 3.6L's really are junk. A 2017 toast. Ridiculous
It’s always a tough call, we have to take so many things into consideration when deciding. Engine replacement is the best option like you said. Who knows how long that engine had coolant in the oil. That would destroy the bearings.
Good thing Chrysler is still around keeping repair shops in business!
Well I never thought we would get better "the reach around" but you have. Here, let's watch for "the money shot". Why am I thinking the worst? lol Live sure is funny. Where's Ms.O when you need a jab??
Be careful of starting on a hydralocked motor.
Pull the plus before cranking
Wouldn't you have seen water on the oil dipstick if you had looked when you thought it was hydro- locked?
I want your skills.
Damn, only a 5 year old car and already shmoked?
Where did you get that work light?
yknow ive done the brilliant idea of trying to move the starter out of position by using the crank bolt (in a manual i just leave it in gear) and disconecting the power to the motor just to see if it comes back to life as sometimes with these so fancy electronically controlled starters leave the brushes on the same spot for way too long to the point it may not move by itself but you can give it a nudge, doesnt take that the starter is bad but at least i wouldve like to hear how many cylinders where drowned….
Commenting. The ol water in the oil pan trick.
That's a bummer that it couldn't be saved. In a way, it's a good thing that the owner expected the worst case.
i want to buy a ford granada , 6 cylinder 3 on the tree . im tired of this new crap thats 60k and last 3 years and its blowing up. i want to go back to the future ! go to 1977 and bring back 30 f 150 6 cylinders . nice show eric !
Time for a trip to Wilberts for an engine
Geezus Chrysler…a 2017 that needs a new engine…that''s unreal.. get your shit together…stop being the bottom of the domestic barrel
super bald tires on this one is generally a sign either maintenance was never considered or couldn't afford the cost. It's a stick of dynamite at this point.
I aways just smacked the fuse box at work. My wife's? We traded it in…
This is actually a common problem with these engines as they get near 100K. I have seen enough of them to know this. Yes they are fairly reliable until They have this issue. I have seen far too many 3.6s with this same problem. The heads are usually too warped to machine depending on how overheated they get. Best option if not too high mileage since it is a 2018 model is to swap in a junkyard engine that still runs and call it a day. Really shouldn't happen to such a new vehicle. FCA building junk now same as the Costs they couldn't sell. Fix It Again Tony………..
Always cover your hiney good vid mr. O
Let us know if you get the job to replace it. Thanks
These mopars are pigs!
One of the most honest mechanics I know. You keep it real Mr O.
Great Diagnosis. I've had family members that have had a fair share of problems with Chrysler products.👍
They made over a million of these engines. Few blown head gaskets here and there is a statistical blip. Courier driven Promaster Vans are getting up to 700 000 miles on these engines, which is pretty amazing for a 6 cylinder gas engine.
You sure that battery is good?
This is why EVs need to happen. To save fools from themselves
Overhet? Is that the past tense of overheat? lol
According to car-part, their salvage engines list two types of 3.6L engines, a hybrid gas and a gasoline. I thought the Pacificas were all hybrids. For the yards within 150 miles of my zip, the hybrid engines range from $1500 to $3K with only 3K – 4K miles and the regular 3.6L for $2400 to north of $3500 with mileage between 34K to 122K. That site is my go-to when evaluating the dependability among the various models since oftentimes even automakers with the best reputation for quality can make mistakes, and those with the worst reputation can occasionally build vehicles that aren’t that bad. If major components such as engines and transmissions can be bought for less than $500 each, I deem that vehicle worthy of consideration. I generally frown upon CVT’s, Turbo’s, and direct fuel injection. For longevity I prefer port injection or multi-port. And of course the engineers of certain makes seem to forget the need for maintenance, such as the horror stories of having to practically lift out an engine to change the spark plugs. To be honest, I still avoid anything made by Chrysler/Fiat just because both companies aren’t known for their quality but they make Jeeps and people are keeping those plants working overtime…and they’re not giving ‘em away.
Because well its a dodge LOL
Stick a fork in it! And giver her the bad news, get an icecream cone.
Those penstastar engines are trash eat camshafts and blow headgaskets burn valves up. I pulled one apart Friday totally ate the lobes off the intake camshafts rattles like crazy. Don't even get me started on how bad the roller followers are. Junk junk junk
Looks like these engines have a similar issue to what the Ford Ecoboost engines had. Head gasket scrub and hydro lock
Tell us how ya really feel about Chrysler! Bottom of the barrel.
Eric,
Great video and diag – thank you! What a shame its only 5 years old.
SMA#1
Paul (in MA)
Do they still have the royal pain in the ass to change rear motor mount about under the drivers foot?
I did one and then it came back with a defective part a month later and had to do it again for free. Really chapped my hide.
It always goes faster the second time.