got a used dodge 97 stratus. made noise right after we changed the oil. Told it had really thick oil in it and that was masking the problem. Continued to drive it because no one could tell us what the definate problem was. Check engine light came on and we went to auto zone and they checked why the light was on. Their machine said cylinders were misfiring. Now the noise is REALLY bad and a guy from our church says the rods blew the engine and we'll have to replace the entire engine. We took out a loan and paid full market value for this stupid car. We can't afford $2000+ for a new engine. What else can we do?!
2007-07-31 11:46:58 · 13 answers · asked by Angie 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
For those who didn't note, yeah i bought it from a dealer "as is" but the thing is, I heard a noise when we got it. I know nothing about cars and I asked...what's that noise. THe man said, oh nothing, it's a prefectly good car, in fact one of our guys has been driving it for almost 2 weeks and he loves it. When we went back he swore there was "nothing wrong" with the car when he had it. Now it's making horrible noises and the guy who is from my church, who owns his own shop, said that the engine was shot and we'd have to replace it because of not having the rods replaced in time. Thing is, it still runs and can be moved...? Is the engine really shot. I asked a friend who worked at a dealer and he said because it was bought as is we don't have a case, but didn't he lie to me? I asked what the noise was?!
2007-08-01 00:33:47 · update #1
Starting now, don't let anyone diagnose your engine problems unless they are ASA Certified.
Drain your engine oil immediately. Replace the oil filter with the manufacturer's recommended filter. Fill the crankcase with manufacturer's recommended oil, which I'm guessing will be 5W30.
Engine knock should be quite easy to differentiate from a "blown engine". Engine knock is caused by improper timing or improper fuel. If your engine knocks on regular unleaded gasoline (it shouldn't -- a Dodge Stratus should run fine on 87 octane fuel), then switch to premium.
But in any event, stop letting guys at church and guys at Auto Zone do the diagnostic work. Go to a pro, and at leats you'll get the right story. Good lock with that little Mopar.
2007-07-31 12:03:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, unfortunately, there is very little that you can do if it is indeed a rod knock. That is usually the death knell for a motor. If you don't have any kind of warranty, your best bet is to try and take the car back from where you got it and see if your state has a "Lemon Law". Usually with something like adding heavier weight oil to a motor to mask serious problems, you have a case on your hands. Otherwise, you pretty much only have 2 options, buy a motor for the car, or, get a new one. Unfortunately there are a lot of shady people and dealers out there that do things like this, I see it all the time. I'm sorry about your car. Next time you buy a used car, tell the seller that you want to have the vehicle checked out and take it to your mechanic, that way you'll know exactly what's going on before you put any money down.
2007-07-31 11:55:14 · answer #2 · answered by cjmeyer57 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You bought a used car without having it checked by your mechanic, which had very heavy weight oil in it attempting to mask a serious engine problem. You changed the oil to what actually belongs in the vehicle, and the engine problem which existed when you bought it has come to light. Did you buy it from a dealer on a "AS IS" type deal? If so there is nothing you can do other than replace the engine. You also can and should complain to the attorney generals office in your state about shoddy business dealings, but ultimately it comes back to your not getting the vehicle evaluated before buying it.
Why bother to report it then? To save others from making the same mistake.
2007-07-31 11:53:04 · answer #3 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Take the car seller to the small claims court. All you need to do is go to city hall, pay about $100 and fill in 1 page form with the sellers name & address.
If engine is in that bad condition, the previous owner of the car must've known about the problem and cover it up to make the sale. Get a written statement from mechanic as what is wrong with the car. Then show all that to judge and explain your situation.
2007-08-01 04:49:37 · answer #4 · answered by Sang K 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check your local laws... Laws vary greatly from state to state.. so it would be smart to seek advice from an attorney..
Did you buy this from a car dealer?
If so go back and ask the dealer to make it right if they won't you could contact the local media for a cover story... picket their business with flourecent atterntion getting signs
you got a doctored up piece of junk car...the oil out of that crancase for it to be that bad the oil in it was probably 85-140 weight gear lube meant for use in rear ends of heavy trucks
Make a complaint with the Better Business Bureau
Make a complaint to the Attorney Generals Office too.
check with Dept of transportation to have dealers license revoked suspended etc.
Walt
2007-07-31 12:18:07 · answer #5 · answered by Ronk W 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the noise sounds like it's coming from the bottom end of the engine, then your friend is right. You can find a used engine at a junk yard. Sometimes they will put it in for you and give you a short term warranty.
2007-07-31 11:52:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cylinders are misfiring? Check the timing bet that is off that would cause the car to knock because of miss firing could be the timing belt slipped a notch. Again have the timing checked I am sure that this is your problem. Also change the fuel filter and add some STP to the gas
2007-07-31 11:51:36 · answer #7 · answered by Pengy 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You could have the wrong oil filter it happens all the time.Dodge are bad for oil screens clogging up.If you go to a real Christian Church then they should help their neighbor,but so many churches don't care about anyone.
2007-07-31 12:13:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you could look for an engine thatll fit your car in a junk yard..
but what couldve been the cause was that the oil was thick because the engine coolant was leaking into it..did you ever check that.
and has teh car overheated at all?
2007-07-31 11:50:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
nearly the same thing happened to my daughter.
At least her car was paid for.
You could check into what lemon laws are in your state.
If you can't go back to the seller you might be SOL. Sorry but that may be where you are at here.
My daughter lives with me so she will have to borrow my car till she can buy a new(to her) one.
2007-07-31 11:49:19 · answer #10 · answered by ??IMAGINE ?? 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋