problem with new SRT-10

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?

SOunds like you need a new dealer. They seem to be making a lot of "hunches".

I agree...I'll see what they come with Monday morning...if it's still a 'yawn...uh, we can't find anything,' I'll take it to another. Thanks for your input.

It is a precision car; they should have a precision answer.

Sounds like they are using the diagnostic roulette wheel.

Hi Bob, welcome to the SRT-10 Forum.
The dealer told you that you were 4 quarts low on oil, but your dipstick read full?
There is no way that this can be the case.
From your description it does sound like you were low on oil. The issue now is did you do any damage.
I would keep an eye on your oil pressure and your oil level.
If you start to see a drop in oil pressure,then you should have ANOTHER dealer inspect your car.I am not sure where you are located, but I am sure a fellow VCA member can direct you to a reputable dealer in your area.
It is not uncommon for a Viper to burn a quart of oil during breakin. After 1000 miles it shouldnt burn any oil unless you take it to the track. (on a side note most of us change our oil after the first 500 miles and then at least every 3000 miles thereafter.)
The issue I would be concerned about now is if the dealer documented the fact you were 4 quarts low on oil and were witnessing 0 oil pressure. I hope that they dont try and use this against you for a future warranty claim.

Srt's do have a known oiling problem for extended track use. Many of the track guys have upgraded to a Comp Coupe oil pan with swing arm.

I've never had a problem with oil. My car hasn't ever consumed much oil, even though I drive it very hard. I change my oil every 3000 miles, and I've never even had to add a 1/2 quart between changes.

Sounds like there is something wrong with your car if you were 4 quarts low, even during engine break-in.

Drive it like you stole it !!! That will insure the engine is good waaaay before the warranty runs out. If it alreadry has problems the worse thing that can happen is you get a new engine sooner otherwise it will be just fine.

Bob,

Welcome to world of SRT-10s. Have you ever driven a car with an oil pressure gauge before? It is normal for oil pressure to drop some (but not to 0) when at idle with a hot engine. However, when driving at speed the oil pressure should be back up into the normal range. For SRT-10s, that appears to be around 75-80 PSI (based upon my oil pressure and reports of others on the VCA). You might want to contact dodge customer assistance and make sure the problem is documented (you can get them on the dodge website and e-mail them).

Well good luck.

Go to another Dealer, get a second opinion. These cars don't burn much oil, even when new. Though unlikely, your car could have been "short filled" at the factory. \

Also, you should change the oil every 3,000 and the first change (for most of us) is at 500 or 1000.

Good luck.

Bob:

I had exactly the same problem with my 04 but with much fewer miles. My car burned through four quarts of oil at 800 miles, another four quarts at 1700 miles and another four quarts at 2600 miles. At 2600 miles, I was on a night run for about an hour and the oil pressure dropped and the bearings on seven and eight went south.

I had the car at two different dealers initially on three different occasions and they didn’t do much for me. I found most dealers, even though they have trained viper techs, don’t work on Vipers often enough to be able to properly diagnose problems. How can a mechanic that only sees a few Vipers a year have the experience necessary for these high performance engines?

I live in Maryland and had the car sent to a dealer in North Carolina, (seven hours away) because the mechanic there was the only guy that I found who truly knew the car. The dealer is D&E Dodge in Wilmington and the gentleman there is Tom Sessions.

It sounds like you have the same problem that I did and will face the same headache of having your engine rebuilt. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at anytime @410-599-8803.

Michael Popowski

Maybe this would explain why there have been two 04's on EBAY in the last month that were bought back by Dodge and had new motors installed.....both went cheap. One only had 900 miles on it

I have a 04 and a 05. Never had to put any Oil in yet!!! How could you burn 4 quarts! No way! Have dealer replace it with lemon Law!

I seized my engine today.

Changed oil at 500 miles.
2000 dipstick reads full
Don't drive too hard.
Guages all normal. No blue smoke. No overheating.
Today, 3400 miles, funky tinny sound for 20 seconds at 2500 rpm then engine SEIZES. Towed to Dealer..
Less than 4 quarts in pan. Unbelievable.

I'm a frequent oil checker.

Pulling engine for rebuild.

Engine clean. Where did the oil go?

While all of you are correct I can not say enough to MAKE SURE WHENEVER YOUR CAR IS SERIVCED UNDER WARRANTY TO GET A COPY OF THE WORK ORDER and make sure that whatever the service manager says IS ON THAT WORK ORDER. DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT IT!

In the UK we have had a Ram SRT10 that had a liner move. In his case the car was parked and the engine filled with water, when started it hydro'd and smashed piston rod etc.

It could well be that if you have a slipped liner while driving the oil could be poluted with coolant and explain the damage to main bearings.

BTW with only 600 miles on the truck DC refused to carry out any warranty as the vehicle was exported.

Thanks to Chuck Tator the owner at least got a short engine at a reasonable price.

my 03 burns 1 qt every 1500-2000 miles.....I bought the car with 4k miles on it and was owned by a 50 year old lady since new. I posted a question before about oil consumption and it seemed that everyone said that was normal for the viper engine.....seemed alittle strange to me. I think i will go and check my oil now,,i have 7k miles on the car now.....

Haven't used a quart in 5,000 miles, but I have changed the oil three times so far.
04 Viper

Going to get mine changed today after reading all of this.

Well i'm a good quart low again,,,,,i didn't fill it to see exactly how low it is because its due for a change....
I must have a oil burning lemon.............lol

An awful lot of performance engines burn oil faster than you're worrying about, mine (SRT-10) uses appx 1 qt in 3000 miles and I don't consider it using oil.

Yes, 1 Qt in 3000 miles is normal. Between using oil through combusion, and any vapor sucked through the crankcase vent, that makes sense. you guys (me included) who like to stay a gear down the majority of the time will see a slightly exaggerated result of this.

Also, the dipstick of the SRT is VERY tricky. Unless the car has been sitting a long time, the front of the dipstick is often incorrect. I find it best to read the back of the dipstick.