300,000 plus miles on 3.6 2016 Durango Citadel

Methodites · Jan 13, 2025

Prospect62 said:
I will reply in 2 parts:
Part 1
(So chalk one up for following the manual to a "T". You sir, appear to have gotten "one of the good ones".)
I've always followed the manual like that, with all our other Mopar vehicles.
One of our daughter has a TC with a 2014 Pentastar with 240ish miles.
I researched the Pentastar for years, following issues before purchasing our Durango.
I also have wondered if we got "one of the good ones". as you put it lightly.

Part 2:
I'm not sure long idle times are the boogeyman everyone claims them to be. Liked Hundreds of thousands of these engines are in police vehicles all across the country that idle endlessly. I would say if you're idling a lot that OCI's should be 5-6000 and not what the computer says.

Same here, "I'm not sure long idle times are the boogeyman everyone claims them to be" You sir is correct.
Our daughter who owns the TC, her husband works for a county fleet, and the patrol cars he works on, is what lead him to buying a Pentastar.
Before they auctioned the older vehicles, some had 400ish miles. Some engines were replaced for whatever reason, but you get the good with the bad.
Those things idle for hours, and hours. At one time, I was concerned our Durango was idling while picking up grands. Long idling times are on Friday's, an hour tops. I do have questions in the past the dealer hasn't given any sound advice.

Prospect62 · Jan 13, 2025

As it pertains to idling and the police vehicle analogy I mentioned...idling isn't necessarily good for any engine but the Pentastar isn't any more susceptible to it causing an issue than any other engine. They key is balancing the idling with some wide open/high RPM runs now and then (once the vehicle is up to temp). This is something police vehicles see regularly and tends to support the theory that a well exercised engine compensates for all the idling.

On another forum (Bobistheoilguy) a Pentastar engineer shared that the Pentastar needs some occasional wide open runs to help with longevity and when you think about how these engines work, it makes sense.

No matter how they're used, the Pentastar engines are generally good. They suffer from either a poor design or poor workmanship/materials as it pertains to the cam followers (rocker arms) which has destroyed many an engine. The oil cooler design is suspect and is more of a pain in the rear than anything else.

Methodites · Jan 13, 2025

Prospect62 said:
As it pertains to idling and the police vehicle analogy I mentioned...idling isn't necessarily good for any engine but the Pentastar isn't any more susceptible to it causing an issue than any other engine. They key is balancing the idling with some wide open/high RPM runs now and then (once the vehicle is up to temp). This is something police vehicles see regularly and tends to support the theory that a well exercised engine compensates for all the idling.

On another forum (Bobistheoilguy) a Pentastar engineer shared that the Pentastar needs some occasional wide open runs to help with longevity and when you think about how these engines work, it makes sense.

No matter how they're used, the Pentastar engines are generally good. They suffer from either a poor design or poor workmanship/materials as it pertains to the cam followers (rocker arms) which has destroyed many an engine. The oil cooler design is suspect and is more of a pain in the rear than anything else.

"On another forum (Bobistheoilguy) a Pentastar engineer shared that the Pentastar needs some occasional wide open runs to help with longevity and when you think about how these engines work, it makes sense."

I did read this on Bobistheoilguy. The WOT with a Pentastar engine some time ago. With that being said, It still puzzles me hoe ours went from running perfect one day, and then a code the next.
When you think of it, a lot of engines are running fine one day, and a code shows up the next without any audible noise.

Awhile back on the GC forum, a service tech for Yellow cab in NY, posted a few things about the Pentastar. I couldn't find any info on it. The dealer I go to has a slow turn over, most of the techs there I see on Saturdays has hung around for awhile. I've had small talk them about the miles in the past.

Methodites · Jan 26, 2025

Methodites said:
Hi Durango family,
View attachment 136359
As promised, I would deliver a mileage update. We returned from Panama City Beach for the holidays. As before she purred all the way there and purred all the way back. No shifting hesitation, slipping, thumping or rough shifting on the tranny.

She starts right up each time. Idles great, and burns no fuel, well we haven't noticed any fuel burn. She runs the same miles on a tank as when she was new. We have noticed the driver's door is getting harder to open, and close. I've sprayed, and the dealer has sprayed all kinds of solvent on the hinges. I've priced new hinges, and look forward to taking it to a body shop, which I have spoken with already.

The dealer feels this may not be covered by MAX Care. Either way, she's on her way to the dealer tomorrow for another oil change.

Update:: I took the "Citadel" in for her 300k inspection/service. While checking in, I asked if Maxcare would cover a PM for the timing system. The Service Manager said nice try, Maxcare would rather it break first, than prevention. We all know the brittle timing guides will wear away before the chain.

So, while shaking that off, I toured the showroom and checked out the "Electric Charger". I've read the stories of the fake exhaust sound and got to see it for myself. That silly thing has this idiotic speaker to represent the roar of a combustion engine exhaust, uuggh.

Back to the Citadel, I got the inspection text, and right away "driver side axle boot torn/leaking", and "oil suspicious on side of block", lovely. I forgot to mention in the initial post, the driver side axle was replaced due to a torn boot. This was in 2023. Everything else checks out green, besides them trying to sell an alignment, saying the new front set of Bridgestone's are wearing uneven.

If it's the oil cooler Maxcare will replace it with the updated plastic part. I didn't ask, but assuming the dealer install the metal Doorman part would be a no no, I would guess. Sometime this week, I'll set up an appointment. Maxcare has been godsend so far.

shadash · Jan 26, 2025

Methodites said:
Update:: I took the "Citadel" in for her 300k inspection/service. While checking in, I asked if Maxcare would cover a PM for the timing system. The Service Manager said nice try, Maxcare would rather it break first, than prevention. We all know the brittle timing guides will wear away before the chain.

So, while shaking that off, I toured the showroom and checked out the "Electric Charger". I've read the stories of the fake exhaust sound and got to see it for myself. That silly thing has this idiotic speaker to represent the roar of a combustion engine exhaust, uuggh.

Back to the Citadel, I got the inspection text, and right away "driver side axle boot torn/leaking", and "oil suspicious on side of block", lovely. I forgot to mention in the initial post, the driver side axle was replaced due to a torn boot. This was in 2023. Everything else checks out green, besides them trying to sell an alignment, saying the new front set of Bridgestone's are wearing uneven.

If it's the oil cooler Maxcare will replace it with the updated plastic part. I didn't ask, but assuming the dealer install the metal Doorman part would be a no no, I would guess. Sometime this week, I'll set up an appointment. Maxcare has been godsend so far.

Out of curiosity, how long does it take for your dealership to do repairs? If they take your car in today will it be on the lift and worked on tomorrow? This was my issue with maxcare. The warrantee was great and Dodge was more than responsive. Where I always had issues was at the dealership service center. Either they tried to upsell me on something stupid, or they took 2 weeks before starting work, or the work was subpar, or the service manager entered info incorrectly when submitting a claim, etc, etc, etc. If I was able to be without my car every time I took it to the dealership it would be fine (I don't).

I also own a Toyota Tacoma and a couple of years ago I there was a recall on the gas pedal and floor mat. I took it in and they waved me to service line. In 3 minutes they came over and took my info. After taking the info they said it will take 30 minutes to repair and you can wait in the lobby or schedule an appointment for repair. I gave them the keys + went to the lobby for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes someone walked into the lobby handed me.my keys and said everything was fixed. I'm sure this fix is something they do every day so it's easy to diagnose + address. But, I can guarantee Dodge dealer service centers would take 3-4 days minimum to address. Which is stupid because it just hurts them paying for all the storage space that could be provided to other more profitable repair cars.

shadash · Jan 26, 2025

Methodites said:
Update:: I took the "Citadel" in for her 300k inspection/service. While checking in, I asked if Maxcare would cover a PM for the timing system. The Service Manager said nice try, Maxcare would rather it break first, than prevention. We all know the brittle timing guides will wear away before the chain.

So, while shaking that off, I toured the showroom and checked out the "Electric Charger". I've read the stories of the fake exhaust sound and got to see it for myself. That silly thing has this idiotic speaker to represent the roar of a combustion engine exhaust, uuggh.

Back to the Citadel, I got the inspection text, and right away "driver side axle boot torn/leaking", and "oil suspicious on side of block", lovely. I forgot to mention in the initial post, the driver side axle was replaced due to a torn boot. This was in 2023. Everything else checks out green, besides them trying to sell an alignment, saying the new front set of Bridgestone's are wearing uneven.

If it's the oil cooler Maxcare will replace it with the updated plastic part. I didn't ask, but assuming the dealer install the metal Doorman part would be a no no, I would guess. Sometime this week, I'll set up an appointment. Maxcare has been godsend so far.

Reguarding your issues...

1. A torn boot is weird and not something you generally see on cars that don't go offload.

2. Oil suspicious on the side of the block could be anything. Maybe someone spilled oil when filling in the last oil change. Or maybe something is up with the head gasket. They should provide a better description of the issue ideally with a Pic. Spray the side of the block with degreaser or brake cleaner. Then check again a couple of weeks later. If the oil is back there's a leak. If the oil doesn't go back likely spilled oil when doing an oil change. Take pics before and after + it might tell you where the leak is coming from.

3. Reguarding the Dorman metal part. Just buy it and walk in to the service center + talk to the service manager + ask them to use that part. 99% of the time they will if everything is verbal (not written down). They know that a metal part is better than a plastic one.

Methodites · Jan 27, 2025

shadash said:
Out of curiosity, how long does it take for your dealership to do repairs? If they take your car in today will it be on the lift and worked on tomorrow? This was my issue with maxcare. The warrantee was great and Dodge was more than responsive. Where I always had issues was at the dealership service center. Either they tried to upsell me on something stupid, or they took 2 weeks before starting work, or the work was subpar, or the service manager entered info incorrectly when submitting a claim, etc, etc, etc. If I was able to be without my car every time I took it to the dealership it would be fine (I don't).

I also own a Toyota Tacoma and a couple of years ago I there was a recall on the gas pedal and floor mat. I took it in and they waved me to service line. In 3 minutes they came over and took my info. After taking the info they said it will take 30 minutes to repair and you can wait in the lobby or schedule an appointment for repair. I gave them the keys + went to the lobby for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes someone walked into the lobby handed me.my keys and said everything was fixed. I'm sure this fix is something they do every day so it's easy to diagnose + address. But, I can guarantee Dodge dealer service centers would take 3-4 days minimum to address. Which is stupid because it just hurts them paying for all the storage space that could be provided to other more profitable repair cars.

I've had them keep the D, for a wèek before starting work, due to the parts on order. I'll say this, most of them know the parts manager is my neighbor, and we're Deacons at the same church. So with that, I asks to inform me when the part arrives. Seems cheating, but once service begins, depending on the repair, they've had her for 17 days.

Methodites · Jan 27, 2025

shadash said:
Reguarding your issues...

1. A torn boot is weird and not something you generally see on cars that don't go offload.

2. Oil suspicious on the side of the block could be anything. Maybe someone spilled oil when filling in the last oil change. Or maybe something is up with the head gasket. They should provide a better description of the issue ideally with a Pic. Spray the side of the block with degreaser or brake cleaner. Then check again a couple of weeks later. If the oil is back there's a leak. If the oil doesn't go back likely spilled oil when doing an oil change. Take pics before and after + it might tell you where the leak is coming from.

3. Reguarding the Dorman metal part. Just buy it and walk in to the service center + talk to the service manager + ask them to use that part. 99% of the time they will if everything is verbal (not written down). They know that a metal part is better than a plastic one.

I've also thought the same about the d/s boot. MAXCARE did replace both front axles in 2023. They had her for a wèek for that. With suspicious oil on block, she has to go back for a second inspection opinion. Maybe they applied something as you stated, I'm not sure. Maybe Maxcare has to ensure it's the oil cooler, and needs a seasoned tech to put eyes on it. I did ask about the time on that job, and was told it costs like 1500.00, so maybe full day job. I'll try the Dorman part, my bedside manners aren't too bad 🤣.

Methodites · Feb 1, 2025

RTao said:
Very impressive! I just got my car back from the shop for a water pump replacement. They “recommended” front and rear differential fluid change every 30k and transmission flush every 50k..

What maintenance besides the usual oil change have you done to keep her happy?

The dealer has mentioned the fluids as well. I'm following the manual to the script. It's not a off-road, service, delivery, or commercial vehicle. According to the manual, I should be ok. I'm going to see how this plays out.

300,000 plus miles on 3.6 2016 Durango Citadel

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