[jgc1986]

Hello all, I am new to the forum, been searching online for what could be wrong with my wife's 2002 Dodge Intrepid, and came across this wonderful site!

The car has been driving fine, it has around 90xxx miles on it...All of a sudden a few days ago, the heat stopped working in the car...No big deal, I noticed the coolant, so I put some Peak 50/50 Global Lifetime Pre-diluted antifreeze in. The heat issue was fixed, and started blowing hot again...

Fast forward to about 10 miles of driving after the coolant was added, the car made a jolt like it couldn't shift, and when going 40mph the RPMs were between 4 and 5...Parked the car overnight, figured I would look at it in the morning.

Morning comes, start the car, and lights still there. Turn car off, and I loosen the cap off the coolant, while the engine is cold, and put it back on tightly. Start car, engine light is gone! GREAT!

Drive it about ~50 miles, and it does the famous jerk and not shift, high RPMS.
Had the engine light codes read, P0700 and P1776. Also, let me add the coolant level is low again (below minimum) and the heat has stopped working.

What could be the issue here? Any insight?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[Ronbo]

A remanufactured solenoid pack/valve body is most likely in your future for the transmission problems.

Losing coolant could be from several places. Radiator leak, water pump leak, coolant outlet housing leak, etc. Any obvious signs of leaking when you poke around under the hood?

[jgc1986]

I can see underneath where there is something leaking but can't get under it to see exactly where its coming from...Taking it tomorrow to be looked at, how much will this solenoid pack/valve body run me? Does it involve completely removing the transmission?

The leaking/low coolant could cause intermittent/no heat though, correct?

I'm worried this is the beginning to a never ending money pit. :(

[cdmccul]

The day you buy a car is the day it becomes a never ending money pit - just depends on how fast you have to throw the money at it... And that's not calling it a bad thing...

What motor do you have? Will you be doing the work, or by your comment about taking it in are you saying they will do the work for you?

[98IntrepidTan]

Which engine? Has the water pump ever been changed? Look into it. You don't want your money pit to suddenly become only worth its scrap metal value...

Yes, a coolant leak will cause the heat to stop working. Fix this soon. Very soon.

Keep up with the maintenance (and likely change out part of your transmission) and your car will last for a long time.

If you fix the transmission, you could make the next meet (~3 hours drive) and have all your questions answered. Fresh meat for the meet! And BBQ too.

Southern Fall Meet, November 2-4, 2012 Zebulon NC

[peva]

If it's coming from front right under the radiator, it's likely the radiator side tank ruptured. The plastic used in the side tanks has a finite life with the heat and pressure, and ours are at that age where they crack open.

Like 98INTREPIDTAN asked, which engine. There's an o-ring on th3.2/3.5 engine that likes to leak.

No. Done by removing the pan - transmision stays int he vehicle.

[jgc1986]

I have the 2.7 engine, and not sure about the water pump, may get that replaced as well.

Sounds good if transmission doesn't have to come out, how much should the repair be? Taking it to a family friend who is a mechanic most likely, not a shop.

[jgc1986]

At this point I have decided to sell the car for $1000 cash as-is, and use that money towards a brand new car. My mechanic friend looked at it and estimated up to $1000 to fix, possibly more. He suggested I replace the whole transmission, and could still have problems with the engine down the road due to oil sludge buildup. Took it to a shop for a 2nd opinion and was basically laughed at, told me to sell it for scrap metal to a junkyard, only way he would fix is put in a new 3.5 engine and new transmission but the cost of those repairs is higher than the cars value.

So, who here wants to buy an Intrepid for parts/possible fix up if you have time and re-sell to make some money?! I hear if you have the AAA Plus service,or know someone who does, they will tow it up to 100 miles for free!

[cdmccul]

Sorry to see it go that way, but I think you've got better odds than what either mechanic is telling you...

One thing I've learned about mechanic in shops... They have a VERY different opinion about value than the owner of the product - because mechanics have to put their name on the broken down heap when they do anything to it... If you bring them a car with a bad trans, and they fix it, and then your engine blows - they run the risk of being accused of breaking your engine... no, you wouldn't do that, you are a reasonable individual... but the risk is still there. So, they will tell you more often than not that if it isn't new enough, then it is too far junk to repair.

There have been many many repairs on the board here by individuals like yourself that have done the 'right' repair (not a band aid, but not complete overhaul and replacement either), and the cars still run to this day just fine.

Then again, you are limited by your tools and knowledge too - and there's nothing wrong with that.

Good luck with it.

[jgc1986]

Yea it's a tough decision for me financially. A 1000 repair is 1000 more I have on a down payment of a brand new car. Then if I can sell the car for 1000, that's more down payment money. Does this forum have a buy/sell section?

[cdmccul]

Yup, it sure does...

Buy/Sell/Trade

[jgc1986]

Awesome, thanks for the link. I need 25 posts to create new threads, so I will get there, soon enough!

[cdmccul]

Yea, that limit cuts down on the spam being posted there. You could always describe it here, etc etc, post pics when you hit that limit, it will stir comment, you'll be able to reply - before you know it, you'll be back in love with the car and not want to sell it afterall.

[cdmccul]

I mean, you'll be able to post to B/S/T because of post count.

[98IntrepidTan]

Yea, IF. But you won't be able to realistically sell that car for $1000. As it is, it's worth scrap metal price. Check with your local scrapyard. Don't check with a middle man, go right to the yard. Here, that would be about $400.