2000 Intrepid with sludged 2.7

A local credit union is auctioning a 2000 Intrepid. It notes "engine
damage" in the vehicle description, and that no "test drive is
possible."

I am guessing the engine is sludged up, so the owner probably allowed
it to be repocessed.

Is there an economical way repair the engine? I would guess that there
is not a very good supply of used 2.7's in the salvage yards, and an
dealer installed rebuilt or new engine would not be cost prohibitive.

The body and interior appear to be in good condition.

-KM

 

Post to www.dodgeintrepid.net. There is all kinds of expertise there on
options for purchsing 2.7L engines (not worth rebuilding on your own),
and also for the very popular option of replacing it with the 3.2 or 3.5
liter. Also - I know a guy posted there within the last two days that
he is looking for an Intrepid in good shape with a bad engine
(apparently he has a spare engine that he would like to make use of).

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Here's that thread on www.dodgeintrepid.net:
http://www.dodgeintrepid.net/forums/showthread.php?t=81299

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

You are correct about the supply of used 2.7 engines. I live in the
Memphis TN area and about 2 months ago I called the local junk yards.
They charge $1200 to $1400 for any usable 2.7L engine and nobody had
any in stock that day. One guy said the local insurance adjusters
charge $500 more for a car with a usable 2.7L engine versus another car
with a usable engine (ie when the insurance companies sell the wrecked
cars to the junk yard).

One junk yard said he had a good 3.2L engine for $600 and if I called
back in an hour or so he could give me the name of a mechanic that has
done the conversions.

 

Don't forget too that, according to posts on DI.net, a dead 2.7 has a
core value of a few hundred dollars (seems I remember figures on the
order of $400-$600).

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

The best thing is to toss the 2.7 and swap in the superior 3.2 or 3.5
engine.

Google around- there are a number of websites that explain the procedure
or even offer the service. Replacing 2.7s with 3.2s was a booming
cottage industry for a while there!

 

Ah, this brings back memories of the late 80s and early 90s and the
Cadillac HT4100. One of those things would FLY out of a junkyard at
exhorbitant prices if it would just start and idle... because most of
the Cadillacs that even came to the junkyard did so because the 4100 had
turned to slag :-/

 

I would pass on it, unless it was a give away.