1999 T&C with spun bearings

Tiny
GBH1935
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Had a 1999 T&C minivan with 130,000 miles on it. The fan burnt up and took out the radiator. Noticed the problem when we parked the car in the garage and it smelled of burnt rubber. They replaced the fan and radiator and pressure tested it. They found a leak in the manifold. We told them to also fix it, they removed the manifold and a bolt sheared off. It had to be sent to the machine shop to be pressed out. They then called and told us an oil pressure light was flickering, may be a bad switch. Got a call later to pick it up.

When we picked up the van the oil pressure light came on and had a strange vibration, on the way home, so we took it back. They found a bad harness on the sensor, and did a manual pressure test and found it was within spec.

We went to pick up the car again, and when we started it, there was a rumble/vibration. I thought it was like a hole in the muffler. I grabbed the tech and he came out and told be the same thing. The fittings had be removed when they worked on the motor and reattached, it could be leaking a little and might settle in a couple days.

We drove it home and it was revving strangely. I took it out shortly afterword on the highway and it would not maintain speed, wouldn't even reach 70mph. Then a loud knocking noise started and I had to pull over because there was no power left. I had it towed.

The mechanic checked it out and found a spun bearing and damaged rod. It needs the motor replaced. I find it difficult coincidence that it failed just after being in the shop, and they are adamant they didn't touch anything on the bottom 1/2 of the car that could have been related.
Thursday, July 14th, 2011 AT 1:57 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The fact that it overheated let coolant enter the oil. Coolant destroys the babit on the main and rod bearings and this is the result. The shop did nothing wrong. It is a result of the motor overheating. When we do head gaskets, we always recommend main and rod bearing replacements as the motor usually is always damaged and will not last long.

Roy
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Thursday, July 14th, 2011 AT 2:30 AM

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