[nikr316]

he guys. what is the valve on te front of the 3.2 engine? when i move it i hear air moving in the intake tube but what excatly does this valve do?

 

[sURFNmADNESS]

Hmm,

After looking at mine and pics in my manuals I beleive you are talking about at the front of the manifold. This would be the manifold tuning valve. At this point I will put what my Hayne's manual saz this thing does.

The manifold tuning valve opens a crossover passage between the two sides of the upper intake manifold plenum, improving the acoustical tuning qualities of the intake manifold. The PCM energizes the manifold tuning valve solenoid during wide-open throttle operation.

sURFN

 

[RYAN]

Just a quick question. What kinda gas mileage are you guy gettin with your 3.2L's? I think my '98 3.2'er is running a little rich...... There is a lotta black carbon build up in the exhaust pipe(more then i think is normal).....

 

[Marcus]

Heya Ryan!

I've got a '98 3.2L ES also. The indicated (trip computer) gas mileage has always been really sweet on such a large car -- the baby can cruise on flat ground well over 70mhp and average 30mpg or above. Throw in a few hills, or horse around with the throttle, and the mileage drops fast but it's still very good.

I've just removed both of those stock mufflers behind the rear wheels and put in a single Flowmaster -- it really sounds sweet. Gas mileage will likely stay the same or improve slightly.

If you think your engine is running slightly rich you might try a performance muffler since that should lean it fractionally, assuming the ECM computer doesn't simply put in more juice to compensate. But then more juice to compensate means more horsepower so why argue with that?

Marcus
'98 Intrepid ES 3.2L -- slate

 

[RYAN]

I'm wondering if I can get that software upgrade to change the settings on the TCM/PCM..... some guys were saying they were gettin better mileage when they got the new upgraded software(done by dealer)... BUT, i'm not sure if the software is for our 3.2'ers.....

 

[sURFNmADNESS]

Here is a Link to all 1998 3.2 TSB & Recalls.

sURFN

 

[RYAN]

What should i say at the dealer and who should i talk to.....? Some fo the guys were saying that the dealers were sometimes reluctant to do the upgrade. Does it cost anthing......?

 

[Marcus]

I'd sure like to see that TSB regarding "Drive Belt -- growl on cold start". Is that the cam drive belt or accessory drive belt(s)? My Intrepid sure does have a deep growling rattle when it's cold.

 

[capitalcity rt]

Marcus,

What the hell do u know about cold, or for that matter, your car?

Danny
Capitalcity R/T
CANADA
SNOW
GREAT WHITE NORTH
FREEZING COLD TEMPS

florida
the sunshine state
palm trees
exotic animals
disneyland 365 days a year
beaches
suntans
usable convertibles all year round
no ice no snow no salt on the roads, only in the turquoise ocean

Move outta the way...I'm comin' down!

 

[Marcus]

ROFL -- HEY! Don't be dissin' us Florida dudes!

OK, there's a deep growling rattle when the engine has been turned off for several hours and has cooled off.

Actually I have taken the Intrepid in to the shop today with the transmission faulting to 2nd gear. The hint, apparently, is that the speedometer doesn't work either -- likely problem is that the speed sensor has quit working. I will call them tomorrow AM right away and mention the growling rattle when the engine is cold so they can at least tell me what it is, and hopefully fix it under my bumper-to-bumper zero-deductible 100K miles warranty. Gotta take advantage of those warranties if you laid out a grand for 'em.

I also need to get them to replace the right front door woofer -- it's buzzing on bass notes. The sound system is nice but I'm suspecting the speakers will not prove durable -- had to replace three speakers on my Grand Cherokee so far under warranty.

-- Marcus

 

[capitalcity rt]

When it COOLS off here, you're lucky if your car even starts!!!

Danny
Capitalcity R/T

 

[blkbute]

yep up here in Canada if the car sits outside long enough in the winter once you start it up you can hear that there is a moajor lack of oil in the cylinders.

 

[MoparPerformance]

Same damn thing with my 1999 ES 3.2L. I was always concerned about that. Excessive buildup around the exhaust.

Please note that I had Oil dissapearance with no visual sign of leakage, I reported this to the dealer.

Sir, your engine is fine.....

I reported intermittent rough idling

Sir, your engine is fine.....

I had the Oil and Filter changed since I assumed it could have been leaking from a bad Oil filter seal or loose Oil filter. I checked Oil level for a couple weeks, everything was fine so I assumed it was corrected.

My engine blew up at 33,000 miles. Check engine light never came on, Oil light never came on, nothing. Engine was down to 1 quart and it happend rather quickly.
............................................

Yes I am sure there are PCM and TCM TSB's for the 1998/1999 Intrepid ES'. There were TSB's regarding the horrible gas mileage and irritating intermittent transmission issues.

The dealer actually performed the updates that would have cost me $90.00 USD for free since there were TSB's and it was under warranty. The original dealer where I purchased it lied to me and always told me nothing was available.

I got about 20 more miles per tank. Transmission seemed to function a lot smoother w/quicker shifts. Even seemed just a little bit quicker on hard accel.

I'm not tryin' to scare anyone with my horror stories but be careful and continually inspect and check your engine and car. I hope this could help some other Chrysler 3.2L guy.

Later guys

[ February 03, 2002: Message edited by: MoparPerformance ]

 

[Marcus]

Well as I posted elsewhere it turns out that the left-bank catalytic converter had come loose internally. They're replacing it under the standard 8-year/80,000 mile warranty that covers certain emissions items like converters, the engine computer, etc. So NICE to know what the rattle was -- I never thought of a catalytic converter causing it, and could not figure out where the rattle was coming from.

Marcus
'98 3.2L ES