bob emrich
Enthusiast
Hello. I'm obviously new to the forum; I purchased an '05 in November (about 4,000 miles ago). I want to share an experience I recently had to see if it's the norm, or if I've got a problem.
At around 3,000 miles, I started noticing a sudden drop in oil pressure, particularly after making long, right turns (on an onramp to the freeway), and when going up really steep hills. The pressure actually dropped to zero twice. Each time, I pulled over, let the engine idle, and it would rise back up above fifty. I tested the oil level, and the dipstick said full.
I drove it to the dealer, told them the problem, and they checked the car out and said I was four quarts low. How could that be, when the dipstick said otherwise? They were a little concerned about so much oil consumption so early on, but suggested it is normal with a new engine break in.
Anyway, they said to watch the oil pressure for the next thousand miles to see if it was dropping again, but it hasn't.
What I have noticed is when I start it up in the morning, it sounds like there is a leak from the manifold. I phoned the dealer, and he again said this is normal for vipers until they warm up, then that "tinny" sound should go away. But although it goes away, it still tends to give me that noise upon starting it, even after it's warm.
The car is currently at a dealership, and they are checking it out mornings to listen for anything out of the ordinary. But I spoke to a tech (not at a dealer location) that suggested that I may have damage to the crank shaft early on, because of the low oil.
My questions are, is this normal for a new car, and if not, what does Dodge/Chrysler do so early on if I return the car?
At around 3,000 miles, I started noticing a sudden drop in oil pressure, particularly after making long, right turns (on an onramp to the freeway), and when going up really steep hills. The pressure actually dropped to zero twice. Each time, I pulled over, let the engine idle, and it would rise back up above fifty. I tested the oil level, and the dipstick said full.
I drove it to the dealer, told them the problem, and they checked the car out and said I was four quarts low. How could that be, when the dipstick said otherwise? They were a little concerned about so much oil consumption so early on, but suggested it is normal with a new engine break in.
Anyway, they said to watch the oil pressure for the next thousand miles to see if it was dropping again, but it hasn't.
What I have noticed is when I start it up in the morning, it sounds like there is a leak from the manifold. I phoned the dealer, and he again said this is normal for vipers until they warm up, then that "tinny" sound should go away. But although it goes away, it still tends to give me that noise upon starting it, even after it's warm.
The car is currently at a dealership, and they are checking it out mornings to listen for anything out of the ordinary. But I spoke to a tech (not at a dealer location) that suggested that I may have damage to the crank shaft early on, because of the low oil.
My questions are, is this normal for a new car, and if not, what does Dodge/Chrysler do so early on if I return the car?
