Two days ago, the timing belt on my moms 2001 Dodge Intrepid broke, taking with it the entire engine (the rods on the intake side seized up and bent), and a new engine would cost 4,000 dollars, and the car isnt worth that. BUT, the mechanic said, hed give us 150 for it, which would cover the cost of the diagnostic, but we have to give him the car. Now, the qyestion is, should we give him the car and take the 150, or is there another method that will net us more money?

 

Did just the head get messed up? Or is the whole engine mesed up?

 

um id say youll give it to him for 300 and go shopping for a new ride.

if your worried about timing belts get a nisan thats chain driven.

 

You could rebuild the motor, it'll cost you i think about 500-1000 to do it. You might have to change the pistons, rods, and valves. You would have to do the work yourself. A 2001 Intrepid isn't that old of a car, and if the only thing that is broken is the motor then its not work $150.00. I'm thinking that is what the mechanic is going to do, so if can rebuild the motor do it, even if it takes you a month or two its worth it because then u get to keep the car but maybe more importantly you learn a **** load about the car and really all cars.

 

chrysler=crap ------take the money & run

 

<---- high 5's aol.

 

is it a 2.7 engine? being a lifetime DCX owner and employee for a while, i would venture to say that the problem is a common one. with MANY of the blown 2.7s that i have seen, the engine builds up excessive "sludge", especially if the pcv has not been serviced...this causes a backup of crank case pressure and increased heat...and things fail. i worked for dodge for a little over a year, and i saw quite a few 2.7s come on that were Destroyed...

if youre going to get rid of the car, you can get more than 150 for scrap.

 

A 2001 you say? You could probably sell the car without an engine for AT LEAST $1500. I would NOT accept $150 for your car and i would also get a second opinion because $4000 seems high to me.

 

Agreed, that's total crap, that mechanic would be making a ton of money off you

 

the 2.7L is chain driven, most chrysler products are..............being a service advisor for a chrysler/jeep dealer I can tell you if your close to me I will buy the car from you right now with the blown motor.

I'll PM you about