1996-Present Head Gasket

Premature head gasket failure occurs between 50,000 and 120,000 miles.

1996-Present Oil Leaks

Prone for oil leakage from hardened seals due to extended oil change intervals. We recommend changing oil every 3,000 miles.

The oil pump which is at the front of engine and driven by the crankshaft has a tendency to loosen over time. This results in a severe oil leak. The oil pump is easily accessible during routine timing belt maintenance and therefore we recommend you address this issue at that time.

Another common oil leak problem with these engines is the PCV breather plate located at the rear of engine in the bell housing area. The original plate is plastic and over a period of time due to constant temperature changes the plate expands and contracts and will no longer seal properly. Subaru has updated these plates to an aluminum design and we recommend retrofitting these plates anytime the engine is out of the car. ie...replacing the clutch.

Buick-Pontiac-Oldsmobile 3.8 liter engines

1995-Approx. 2001

Problems with intake manifold melting at the coolant passage in the EGR area. Antifreeze leaks into the engine oil and will eventually ruin the engine. We recommend replacing the manifold at 100,000 miles.

All GM's with 3.1 and 3.4 liter engine

Problems with intake gasket leaking internally and externally. Internal leak can cause engine damage. These vehicles have been known to start leaking as early as 45,000 miles. These intake gaskets have been updated and new torque specifications and procedures have been issued.

This engine has been noted to have piston slap and we recommend warming the engine up before driving. This will prolong engine life.

Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-Jeep

Breeze, Neon, Stratus with 2.0 and 2.4 liter engines

1995-2000 Head Gasket

Common problem is head gasket leaking oil externally or internally with engine oil getting into the cooling systems antifreeze. New updated head gasket and torque specifications and procedures has been issued by Chrysler to repair this problem. Cylinder head machine finish is very critical to the proper repair for this problem. If oil is found in the cooling system....all cooling system hoses will have to be replaced and the cooling system flushed with cascade dishwasher detergent.

All Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-Jeep Vehicles with 2.7 liter engines

This engine has very small oil pickup tube and screen tolerances and the oil change interval is very critical. Extending the oil change interval on these engines allows sludge to build up over time and closes the already small tolerance and starves the engine for oil, much like arteries in the human body clog up from poor diet. We recommend using synthetic oil in this engine.

This engine has an internal waterpump that is driven by the timing chains. If the waterpump develops a leak, engine coolant goes directly into the crankcase oil. The mixture of antifreeze and oil depletes any anti-friction properties of the engine oil and the engine will be destroyed very quickly. We recommend at 90,000 miles to replace the waterpump as insurance from a very expensive engine replacement.

All Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-Jeep Vehicles with 3.5 liter engines

Problems with timing belt jumping 1 to 2 teeth causing a cam sensor code and a no-start condition. We have a very easy way to verify this problem. We unplug the cam sensor and the vehicle will start, after the vehicle is running a few minutes we plug the cam sensor back in and verify on a labscope that the cam and crank sensor lineup. If these 2 sensors show on the labscope that they are out of sync. The timing belt will have to be replaced. The manufacturer recommends changing the timing belt at 105,000 miles. We recommend replacement at 90,000 miles and removing the plate behind the waterpump to replace seals. These seals tend to leak coolant into engine crankcase causing damage.

All Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-Jeep Vehicles with 5.2 and 5.9 liter engines

Problems with the bottom of the intake manifold which has a plate with a type of paper gasket that sucks in and the engine starts using oil. The vehicle may also get lean codes that turn on the "check engine" light. This problem occurs at 90,000 miles and up. There is an updated gasket that is made of steel.