Gene,
Excellent, excellent advice. Jeff, my 1998 ES is one of the
greatest cars I have ever owned. 88,000 on it, never had one problem
(fingers crossed!). When it comes time for tires, I would VERY STRONGLY
recommend the Michelin Hydroedge, a tire that I have had much success with.
Worth the extra dough.
I'm thinking of switching over to synthetic oil in my Trep. Being
that its 7 years old and has 88k on it...does anyone think it may be a bad
idea...too late?
pete
>From: Gene Poon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [dodge_intrepid] Newbie
>Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 09:30:08 -0800
>
>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
>
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