Jeff Van Dyke wrote: > Hi all. > Purchasing a 98 ES. Florida car. I will be flying down to pick it up > and take her back to Michigan in 2 weeks. > Looking for a bit of reassurance and advice. > It has the 3.2 motor, which my research indicates is a very good thing > compared to the 2.7. True? =================
TRUE. It is a completely different engine not prone to sludge buildup under high temperature conditions, or if the owner doesn't change oil very frequently. By the way, users of synthetic oil report that their 2.7L engines hold up just fine. Synthetic oil doesn't break down and cause sludge until it reaches much higher temperatures than regular oil, probably higher than what occurs with practically any engine (unless it is allowed to run dry on coolant, which would be the user's fault). ================== > If you Intrepid experts out there were "starting over" so to speak, > what you look at first maintenance wise on this thing? > Just follow routine intervals or anything special I should do out of > the gate? > I understand transmission, electrics (climate control, doors/windows > can be iffy. > One owner car, lightly used (obviously, averaging 4000 miles/year). > > I tend to develop rather long term relationships with my vehicles, > current ride is a 93 Lumina 3.4 which I've suffered with for 9 years or > so. > Hoping this one will serve me well for that duration too. ======================================= First thing would be to change the oil; I would use synthetic anyway, since you are intending to keep this car for a long time, and observe Dodge's recommendation as to viscosity. AT LEAST, change the transmission fluid and filter. USE ONLY THE REQUIRED CHRYSLER FLUID. If you do it yourself, buy the ATF+4 fluid from a Chrysler dealer. If you have someone else do it, verify with them that they use the ATF+4 Chrysler fluid and have them put that down in writing on the service order. If they balk or they give some story that they use some other fluid with an additive, LEAVE and tell them why. The reason I say AT LEAST on the transmission: you don't know if someone else put Dexron fluid into it in the past. If there is any...and you can't tell once it's in there...then have the transmission completely flushed and replaced with ATF+4 Chrysler fluid, and a new filter installed. DEXRON = DEATH for this transmission. Change the coolant (radiator fluid), replacing it with antifreeze that meets the Chrysler specification in the owners' manual. BE CAREFUL! Some don't! If the bottle doesn't say it meets Chrysler spec. number whatever, it doesn't. Check the air conditioning for proper function. If it cools OK you are probably all right. If it's weak, have leaks fixed, the system recharged, and the oil level checked and brought to specification; or at least have a couple of ounces of compatible refrigeration oil added. If there has been leakage in the past, and someone simply put in a can or two of R-134a to bring it back to operation, it is possible for the system to be low on compressor oil, which would shorten the life of the compressor. Check, and replace as required or questionable, all rubber hoses. This includes the rubber "jumpers" in the steel transmission fluid lines between transmission and the cooler in the radiator. They can soften and leak. If you will be driving your car under stressful conditions (lots of hills, trailer towing, etc.), I'd recommend an external transmission cooler, installed in front of the air conditioning condenser. It will lengthen the life of the transmission fluid by reducing oxidation and the accompanying change in characteristics. Wash the car inside and out, and flush out the underbody. Depending on where it was in Florida, it may have been subjected to salt spray. Touch up any nicks or scratches, most especially those that are through to the primer or bare metal. Don't let rust get a start! I realize this may seem extensive and conservative, and it likely will cost you a couple of hundred dollars. Do it anyway. -GP ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Give the gift of life to a sick child. Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's 'Thanks & Giving.' http://us.click.yahoo.com/5iY7fA/6WnJAA/Y3ZIAA/46t0lB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Web: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid> Subscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Moderator: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
