My major Problems with a grip or two thrown in
For the most part, My 97 Intrepid “Sport” has been very good to me…. I purchased it Used in February 1999 with 64.5K miles on, and have used AMS Oil/Filters since that time. I presently have 128K miles on it and have one reoccurring gripe that bugs the hell outta me!
Here’s “My List”, so take it for what it’s worth:
Mileage / Repair / Repairs by:
67278 / Thermostat / Firestone - limped in with overheating problem.
74262 / Water Pump / Dodge Dealer (3 months after a new thermostat replacement and dealer replaced that one too!)
80670 / Belts (Serpentine/AC)/Purchased from Dealer/Replaced myself.
87670 / Struts (Front/Rear) /Monroe GasMatics (AutoZone).
87670 / Front Wheel Rotors /OEMs were border line (bought @ AutoZone).
100557 / Rack & Pinion / Flushed/refilled with seal(s) conditioner ***
Also replaced the OEM Serpentine belt with a Goodyear Gatorback Serpentine belt (superior Product than OEM Belt).
102430 / Battery / Autocraft #341 (it happens!)
120570 / PCV Tube / Replaced with OEM; Dry rotted.
126226 / Tie Rod End (Left) / Firestone - Couldn't do all wheel alignment until replaced.
Various / Wheel lugs / “Sport” model uses same lug as the 1st gen ES Models. Those pneumatic impact wrenches can wreck havoc on them, rounding them off. Replaced all 20 of them @ $75.
Normal maintenance includes regular schedule stuff with the exception of oil/filter changes @ 10K miles (the beauty of AMS Oil products!)
Two sets of tires and a set of front disc brake pads and rear brake shoes, which I changed myself. Tires are rotated along with a wheel alignment every 6K miles. I believe there's a left side foot shape (size 9?) indentation on the passenger side floor board, but that's probably I did, especially since it appeared after my daughter obtained her Driver Learners Permit. Go figure
*** After turning 100K miles, I noticed I was losing my power steering. Fluid was just below the fill mark on the stick, but didn't appear to be leaking (no tell tell fluid at the obvious places). I took it to a reputable Auto Shop for a check out/replacement if need be. The techs stated the Power steering pump checked SAT (satisfactory), and they did the fluid flush, refill and conditioning additive. It helped a lot, but wasn't as responsive as power steering should be. I was ready to have the Rack and Pinion (my Haynes manual refers to it as a
Steering Gear) replaced altogether. I had New Tires and an all wheel alignment done…. Which corrected the problem!
Several months later, returning from a Memphis, TN to Virginia Beach, VA road trip, I experienced the same loss of power steering. Had all the Wheels spin balanced (it was tire rotating too), which corrected the problem. This past month, now I have a loss of power steering, but this time, its only when turning to the right instead of right and left as in the past.