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Dodge Durango Dealership Tests

4.9K views 69 replies 9 participants last post by  yosy  
#1 ·
Hey Guys,
My lease is ending this December, and I would like your advice on a couple of things I am still unsure about.
Like many HEMI-powered cars, this one has ticking and cracking noises that bother me and make me doubt whether to keep it (I would like to).
I would like to take it to the dealer for a full inspection (it will cost who knows how much) and I would like to know if somebody has done this before and if it is worth paying for it.
I know there are some tests like:

-Vacuum test: A vacuum gauge can indicate an engine's condition by measuring manifold vacuum at idle, low cruise, and high cruise. At sea level with a stock cam, normal readings are between 17 and 22 inches of mercury. Low, fluctuating, or vibrating readings may indicate problems.
-Diagnostic test: A diagnostic test can detect serious engine issues that may not be noticeable through other means. A diagnostic test can be performed when the "check engine" light comes on, or as part of regular maintenance.
-Visual inspection: A visual inspection of the engine bay can reveal issues such as leaks, damaged or loose hoses, damaged or oxidized wiring, or worn or damaged belts.
-Smell the engine: A smell of gas, oil, exhaust, or other chemical in the cabin of the car could be a sign of serious engine trouble.
-Listen for strange noises: Listen for any unusual noises coming from the engine.
-Check the service history: Ask for the vehicle's service history, including oil changes and repairs. (I have my report since I have done every oil change and blackstone lab test result)
-Check the color of the exhaust fumes: Check the color of the exhaust fumes.

But also I would like something like:
-Compression test: to show if cylinder pressure is within the normal range
-Or a deep Scan looking for a faulty camshaft position sensor that could cause engine failure.

Concerns:
-It does a transmission clunk at a certain speed and when you hit the gas it reduces like 2 gears causing a bang/clunk or so, probably it is not the transmission and could be the driveshaft.
-At low speed when you get a speed bump I can feel like a "bang" or so. It feels like the front suspension not absorbing the bump (this could be fine, but I have no other Durango with SRT suspension to compare). I checked underneath and everything looks brand new and no leaks were found.
-When topped and I accelerate hard, I feel when it shifts to 2nd gear like it lost some torque, then at 3rd gear you barely can feel this shift. If I do it with the paddle shift I won't notice that feeling.
-Worried about any issue related to faulty rod bearings. (Copper always comes high for average but slowly comes down between oil test results)

I know... I'm creating a storm without any reason other than some underneath tick noises (it never goes away when the engine is warm or sometimes you notice it more, less, or nothing at all).

Should I take it to a different shop (like a performance shop) for those tests and if they find something, then go to the dealer and let them know what to fix, or can i trust in Dodge dealership tests?

I want all this done under warranty (I know I have to pay for the Tests, but if something needs to be repaired, warranty)
I know I will have a powertrain warranty until 5y/60K, but anything covered only under the basic warranty (like the caliper issue).

***Also, should I purchase an extended warranty after my lease ends?

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
 
#44 ·
Remove the engine cover to get a better look. If that is on the top of the head on either side below the intake, it's probably a bit of seepage from the intake gaskets.
Not a crisis by any stretch but indicative that said gaskets should be replaced at some point sooner than later.

Don
 
#48 ·
yosy:
How many miles on your D? Either way, the intake gaskets are covered under the 5/60 powertrain warranty. Unless you have an extended warranty, or are still inside the 3/36 bumper to bumper warranty, the caliper will be on you.

Don
 
#49 ·
I have 3/36 yet. Probably 1 month left 😅
My D is 31K miles. If the intake manifold gaskets would be the issue, I think I could do it since they are pretty cheap, I could time my time to clean everything well. I don’t think at the dealer they take their time to do a good job, or am I wrong?
do you thing I should let the dealer do it?
Or I can try it myself?
 
#50 ·
If you have warranty left, I'd let them do it. No sense in expending time/money on something they will do at no cost. When the intake gaskets on my '14 Charger 5.7L were leaking, my local dealer did them and did a great job.


Don
 
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#51 · (Edited)
Well, I finally was able to leave the Durango at the dealer. It will take, at least, 3 days to inspect the car, send a report to the warranty, and from there, they will let me know how many days depending on what they found, if parts are available or back-order, etc.
Notes to check on the car:
1- Intake manifold gasket leak (or see what that heck it is)
2- Rough idling when the engine is cold (misfires in cylinders 2 and 7, only when cool. No codes stored, nothing)
3- Fix caliper clear delamination (front passenger side)
4- Transmission clunk (at constant rpm/speed, if try to accelerate you feel a clunk underneath. The dealer guy told me they check engine blocks, weird, I don't think he knows about it. Hope the technician does)
5- Check for any exhaust leak (probably they won't check anything, but let's see)
6- Grinding noise underneath (Lift the car and put it on gear to hear)
7- Check front suspension (clunk when taking bumps)
8- Replace exterior door seal trim (a piece of rubber/plastic in the door/window, was cracked and all 4 of them are like crystallized, but he told me if the warranty approves it will only be the cracked one )

I asked the price for alignment, and $176. I didn't take it, I think is not fair, right?
Also, I told him not to do the recall for the back camera. A lot of people are complaining about having more issues with Telematic box messages.
I asked for the moisture inside the front headlights and he told me they only replace that when there is a defect like not working, blocking, or so.
 
#53 ·
The headlight moisture is not a problem, it's a feature.
 
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#54 ·
Well, get back my car after the parts didn't arrive on time. It was supposed to arrive the next day, but the County was working on the main road and the truck couldn't access the dealer (he couldn't go around the other entrance, but...). So, I picked up the car and will go back probably next week.

So, the concerns taken by the service guy (pretty good guy) and the opinion of the technician:
1—Intake manifold gasket leak (or see what the heck it is) --- There is no oil leak; he thinks it is like the glue they use in that plastic part.
2—Rough idling when the engine is cold (misfires in cylinders 2 and 7, only when cool. No codes stored, nothing) --- There is no code stored, so there is nothing they can do. He told me that the HEMI engine starts up using only 4 cylinders and shuts down cylinders 1, 4, 6, and 7. My concern was cylinders 2 and 7, so there is probably nothing to worry about because, after the engine warms and runs, there is no more misfire read.
3- Fix caliper clear delamination (front passenger side) --- Waiting for that part
4- Transmission clunk (at constant rpm/speed, if try to accelerate you feel a clunk underneath. --- He couldn't replicate it and I couldn't when they call to replicate it.
5- Grinding noise underneath (Lift the car and put it on gear to hear) --- Didn't hear anything. He has a theory about walls, eco, etc. So, he says nothing wrong with the transmission, transfer case, driveshaft or any differential.
6- Check front suspension (clunk when taking bumps) --- He told me because I have the SRT suspension, it will feel stiffer. He only found a little noise in the control arm and asked for the part to be replaced.
7- Replace exterior door seal trim (a piece of rubber/plastic in the door/window, was cracked and all 4 of them are crystallized, but he told me if the warranty approves it will only be the cracked one ) --- They only replaced the driver front side because it was cracked. Damn, how beautiful those trims look brand new. I will buy the other 3 to replace them myself.

Fun fact, the tech told me: "Bro, this is the cleanest car I have ever seen that I have worked. Look at that engine, wow!"
 
#55 ·
Yosy:
It sounds to me like your dealer's service department is a purveyor of BS!

#1. You are reporting a misfire when the engine is cold, and it appears that the intake gaskets maybe questionable. Were they able to verify that concern? If so I'd push for new gaskets. If it is misfiring, there should be a CE light and code stored.

#2. Have you tried to tighten the intake manifold bolts? They are known to loosen up over time. This might be the source of your rough running or misfire at idle. This is something THEY should be aware of, and should have checked/noted.

#3. I call 100% BS on their comment that the Hemi starts and stops on the 4 MDS cylinders. I have NEVER heard such a thing. This has to be misinformation, or worse yet, them making up stuff. I learned along time ago that dealership employees sometimes know very little about what they are trying to sell or work on.

Case in point. Back in the 80's a friend and I were killing some time at a Ford dealer, checking out some trucks. We came across a particular F150 that my friend liked, so we popped the hood. One of the sales rubes came out, and asked if we needed any questions answered or other help. I saw that this truck had the 351W with the 4 barrel carb, as noted on the air cleaner as 351/4V. I knew what that meant, and asked Mr. Rube what the "4V" stood for? He paused for a moment, then replied, "That means it has 4 valves!"
We looked at each other, and excused ourselves.

#4. The caliper and door seal should absolutely be replaced under the 3/36. If the other 3 seals look that bad, I'd push back on that arguing that the vehicle isn't 3 years old!

#5. Your 5/60 PT warranty will cover the trans/drivetrain and seals/gaskets for a good while yet.
The comment re the SRT suspension being stiffer is correct, but it should NOT clunk or knock.

As we mentioned earlier (I think), if you are gonna hang onto it, I'd pick up an MVP plan and extend the full warranty out another 5-6 years. if you do it before the 3/36 expires, I believe you can go to 8yrs 125k if you want.

Don
 
#56 ·
Yosy:
It sounds to me like your dealer's service department is a purveyor of BS!

#1. You are reporting a misfire when the engine is cold, and it appears that the intake gaskets maybe questionable. Were they able to verify that concern? If so I'd push for new gaskets. If it is misfiring, there should be a CE light and code stored.

#2. Have you tried to tighten the intake manifold bolts? They are known to loosen up over time. This might be the source of your rough running or misfire at idle. This is something THEY should be aware of, and should have checked/noted.

#3. I call 100% BS on their comment that the Hemi starts and stops on the 4 MDS cylinders. I have NEVER heard such a thing. This has to be misinformation, or worse yet, them making up stuff. I learned along time ago that dealership employees sometimes know very little about what they are trying to sell or work on.

Case in point. Back in the 80's a friend and I were killing some time at a Ford dealer, checking out some trucks. We came across a particular F150 that my friend liked, so we popped the hood. One of the sales rubes came out, and asked if we needed any questions answered or other help. I saw that this truck had the 351W with the 4 barrel carb, as noted on the air cleaner as 351/4V. I knew what that meant, and asked Mr. Rube what the "4V" stood for? He paused for a moment, then replied, "That means it has 4 valves!"
We looked at each other, and excused ourselves.

#4. The caliper and door seal should absolutely be replaced under the 3/36. If the other 3 seals look that bad, I'd push back on that arguing that the vehicle isn't 3 years old!

#5. Your 5/60 PT warranty will cover the trans/drivetrain and seals/gaskets for a good while yet.
The comment re the SRT suspension being stiffer is correct, but it should NOT clunk or knock.

As we mentioned earlier (I think), if you are gonna hang onto it, I'd pick up an MVP plan and extend the full warranty out another 5-6 years. if you do it before the 3/36 expires, I believe you can go to 8yrs 125k if you want.

Don
Now do you understand why I hate dealerships?
 
#57 ·
I sure do. I guess I've been lucky along the way, as for the most part the ones I have dealt with whether they were Ford, GM, or Dodge treated me more good than bad.

In same way that we have to be our own advocates when we deal with the medical profession, the same goes for automotive stuff.

Don
 
#58 ·
Well, Durango is back.
Only they found as issues and replace the parts:
  • weatherstrip outer right front side (driver side)
  • caliper passenger front
  • arm-upper control

and I did an alignment, please someone that can confirm if those parameters are correct for SRT suspension

They bleed the brake line and changed the brake fluid. Can they do that without removing the other 3 wheels left?
And of course, the new caliper was scratched in the bleeding procedure! Why someone can’t take care of not scratch the beautiful red paint in those calipers?

Image

Image
 
#66 ·
Seems like your dealer did not lock down your steering wheel dead center when doing the alignment. That is a quick fix. Have them fix it and get before and after to make sure it stays within specs. (IT SHOULD EASILY) Make sure your tires are inflates properly (cold) as well when testing for a crooked wheel.