Dodge Dart 2013 1.4L Turbo...many fluid leaks

[postmortemIA]

My 2003 Maxima didn't leak a drop at 130,000 miles when I traded it in for the Camry Hybrid I'm driving now.

Yep, my ol' car is domestic, it is kind of expected to have some problems after 10 yrs. Maybe things are better now, bot they weren't in 90s and 00s.

 

[silicon]

Wow...bought the car in marsh 2013, brand new. Got the 1.4L engine with manual transmission because at that time I was doing lots of road (22,000-25,000 miles a year). I also took the extended warranty (5 years full) so I would have some peace of mind on that side.

Well two weeks ago the car is starting to make some weird noises that sounded like water was running in the dash. Took it to the dealer for an oil change and ask his to check that sound. I got the car back later the same day and test drove with one of the mechanic. I could hear the sound clearly but he couldn't...I heard it a few times and before raging on him I got returned home.

Later in the evening I poped the hood and found out my collant was dangerously low in the collant container. In fact, I could not see the collant level at all. WTF!!? I filled it tight and did the trick to remove some air from the system. Guess what? The sound disappeared.

So I get the car to the dealer last tuesday so they can check the major coolant loo I have. They checked the car and found:

- One collant leak from "somewhere"
- One transmission oil leak from "somewhere"

Tuesday evening they call me to say that they think they found the leaks: some pipe was leaking coolant and the transmission box thing was leaking oil...
Wednesday they called me back saying that they will replace the pipe and will order some switch that is leaking transmission oil (WTF is that)
They call me back today, the day I am supposed to get it back and they found that the water pump is done...

The car only have 35,000 miles on it...not sure if it's supposed to broke that quick. Not sure if a sealed manual transmission is supposed to leak like that either...

Not sure I like the car anymore...

Do you know a mechanic that you can trust, someone independent who might take the time to explain all that is going wrong with your car? Often mechanics at dealers are parts changers and perhaps no very observant as dealers need to process a lot of cars to keep up profit margins. The smaller independent garages then must do good work so customers will keep coming back. They say the water pump is done...what does that mean exactly? And why on a 2 year old car?

 

[Rhezuss]

Do you know a mechanic that you can trust, someone independent who might take the time to explain all that is going wrong with your car? Often mechanics at dealers are parts changers and perhaps no very observant as dealers need to process a lot of cars to keep up profit margins. The smaller independent garages then must do good work so customers will keep coming back. They say the water pump is done...what does that mean exactly? And why on a 2 year old car?

I had one when I was in Quebec. The best mechanic I ever had and every time I was in there I ended up paying far less than I expected.

But now that I moved I have no real points of reference but i'm on that quest. Really need to find a trustworthy place ASAP that can honor warranties.

 

[JulesMaximus]

big whoop. I'm not saying a car should leak fluid with 25k miles on it but it isn't that big of deal that it is. It would be different if the trans blew up at 25k miles or something but come on. Cars have lots of fluid in them and tons of seals, hoses, and clamps any one of which could have been manufacture or installed wrong. Hardly worth trashing a whole company over a small leak that should be covered by the warranty. I'm sure there were plenty of 2012 toyotas running around that had a minor leak by 25k miles.

Now if you want to talk about how he is being treated by the dealer that I can understand a bit more.

Except that he has two leaks... not just one.

I wonder where his Dart was manufactured. My Camry was manufactured here in the United States.

 

[LTC8K6]

2008 Jeep GC. Still leak and problem free.

 

[Rhezuss]

Well, my car is ready, gonna get it later today...
I hope it doesn't explode lol

 

[soccerballtux]

Except that he has two leaks... not just one.

I wonder where his Dart was manufactured. My Camry was manufactured here in the United States.

fun fact: "Made In America" includes Mexico, anywhere in Central America, and all of South America, which is how GM has been shipping their plants to Mexico in the midst of the bailout

look for "United States" if you want to compare apples to apples on component source statistics

 

[JulesMaximus]

fun fact: "Made In America" includes Mexico, anywhere in Central America, and all of South America, which is how GM has been shipping their plants to Mexico in the midst of the bailout

look for "United States" if you want to compare apples to apples on component source statistics

Don't forget Canada... although, I would expect cars made in Canada to be decent. At least Canada isn't a third world country, hell, I think they have a higher standard of living than we do.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Kinda sucks that your having trouble with your car and the dealer. It does have the extended warranty so they have to fix it.

Could always trade it in on a VW...... just saying it could be worse.....

 

[slag]

2008 Jeep GC. Still leak and problem free.

That is a miracle in its own right.

 

[LTC8K6]

Well, my car is ready, gonna get it later today...
I hope it doesn't explode lol

I hope they changed the spark plugs.

 

[996GT2]

Nope that's another question I asked them last tuesday...and only $300!!!!!!! What a deal!
That dealer suck so much...

Spark plugs are one of the easiest things to change yourself, especially on 4-cylinder engines. All you need are a few basic hand tools.

A set of 4 OEM spark plugs costs 40-50 bucks. Labor should be under 30 minutes even if you are new to working on cars. $300 is a robbery.

Here's the Amazon link for the spark plugs: http://www.amazon.com/NGK-93618-SIKR9A7-Laser-Iridium/dp/B00P179D2S


Also, for what it's worth, I'm pretty sure you can get more than 30,000 miles out of your OEM spark plugs. The OEM plug for the Dart Turbo is a NGK Laser Iridium plug, which is similar to the plug used in just about every single modern Honda/Acura. In those applications, it is rated for 100,000 mile service intervals (including on the turbocharged Acura RDX). Then again, Dodge is not known for reliability, so it can't hurt to change it at 30,000.

 

[nerp]

2012 Dodge Charger with 60,000 miles. Not a drop of leakage anywhere. Most problem free car I've ever owned. I've owned VWs, fords and a toyota before this. Again, most trouble free car I've ever owned by far.

 

[LTC8K6]

Spark plugs are one of the easiest things to change yourself, especially on 4-cylinder engines. All you need are a few basic hand tools.

A set of 4 OEM spark plugs costs 40-50 bucks. Labor should be under 30 minutes even if you are new to working on cars. $300 is a robbery.

Here's the Amazon link for the spark plugs: http://www.amazon.com/NGK-93618-SIKR9A7-Laser-Iridium/dp/B00P179D2S


Also, for what it's worth, I'm pretty sure you can get more than 30,000 miles out of your OEM spark plugs. The OEM plug for the Dart Turbo is a NGK Laser Iridium plug, which is similar to the plug used in just about every single modern Honda/Acura. In those applications, it is rated for 100,000 mile service intervals (including on the turbocharged Acura RDX). Then again, Dodge is not known for reliability, so it can't hurt to change it at 30,000.

If you don't like your powertrain warranty, go ahead and leave the plugs in...

 

[Rhezuss]

Yeah they replaced them and they did a good job on the wax and scratch removal.

But I made sure to let them know how bad the overall experience was. The dude at the counter was so arrogant that the nice lady beside hime had to push him aside. that was one nice moment in my day

 

[LTC8K6]

I'm glad you got them replaced, even though in general I agree with 996GT2 in that it's a pretty short interval for that type of plug.

My big old Hemi uses old school plain copper plugs, that's why I have a 30K mile interval.

Hopefully your Italian Dart will run well for you now.

 

[BUTCH1]

Spark plugs are one of the easiest things to change yourself, especially on 4-cylinder engines. All you need are a few basic hand tools.

A set of 4 OEM spark plugs costs 40-50 bucks. Labor should be under 30 minutes even if you are new to working on cars. $300 is a robbery.

Here's the Amazon link for the spark plugs: http://www.amazon.com/NGK-93618-SIKR9A7-Laser-Iridium/dp/B00P179D2S


Also, for what it's worth, I'm pretty sure you can get more than 30,000 miles out of your OEM spark plugs. The OEM plug for the Dart Turbo is a NGK Laser Iridium plug, which is similar to the plug used in just about every single modern Honda/Acura. In those applications, it is rated for 100,000 mile service intervals (including on the turbocharged Acura RDX). Then again, Dodge is not known for reliability, so it can't hurt to change it at 30,000.

Yea, my '05 Chevy has those same type plugs, changed 'em at 90K, still looked just fine.

 

[soccerballtux]

Don't forget Canada... although, I would expect cars made in Canada to be decent. At least Canada isn't a third world country, hell, I think they have a higher standard of living than we do.

why in the world would any corporation outsource production to canada

 

[LTC8K6]

Yea, my '05 Chevy has those same type plugs, changed 'em at 90K, still looked just fine.

I have read in some forums where owners have found the plugs showing wear at 30K miles.

Also some have had bad experiences when not using that specific SIKR9A7 plug.

Since that plug is readily available now and not so expensive, I guess there's no reason to look for alternatives.

 

[BUTCH1]

I have read in some forums where owners have found the plugs showing wear at 30K miles.

Also some have had bad experiences when not using that specific SIKR9A7 plug.

Since that plug is readily available now and not so expensive, I guess there's no reason to look for alternatives.

Hmm, unusual as most vehicles since awhile back have had very extended plug-change intervals.

 

[JulesMaximus]

why in the world would any corporation outsource production to canada

Ford, Toyota, Lexus, GM and Chrysler all have car manufacturing plants in Canada.

 

[996GT2]

I'm glad you got them replaced, even though in general I agree with 996GT2 in that it's a pretty short interval for that type of plug.

Yep, here are some NGK Laser Iridiums I replaced in an Accord with 125k miles. Car was still running great at the time these were replaced.

And wow, I still cannot believe the OP paid the dealer $300!! for the spark plug change on a 4-cylinder engine. That's seems like a robbery even by dealer standards.

 

[slag]

I loved my 1969 Dodge Dart Custom. Very reliable car, the only thing that leaked was the power steering. The 9 inch drum brakes were a problem.
The closest modern car to the old Dart is probably a Toyota Camry. I like a boring car, as in it always starts and gets me where I'm going.

I dated a woman in college who drove a dodge dart swinger. Beautiful car with the 318 engine as well. It was fun to drive everywhere except where there was snow.

Man, I miss that car...

 

[NutBucket]

Ford, Toyota, Lexus, GM and Chrysler all have car manufacturing plants in Canada.

Honda too.

 

[996GT2]

fun fact: "Made In America" includes Mexico, anywhere in Central America, and all of South America, which is how GM has been shipping their plants to Mexico in the midst of the bailout

look for "United States" if you want to compare apples to apples on component source statistics

Honda and Toyota make cars that are more "American" than most of the actual American brands.

Of note, seven of the top 10 vehicles on the list are from Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. Indeed, it’s easy to make the argument that Toyota is the most American auto company by production and parts, followed by Honda, then General Motors Co.

http://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-inte...ost-all-american-car-makers-toyota-and-honda/