[chromeangel]

I stopped at a gas station to grab a soda and when I came out, I tried to start my car and it wouldnt run. When it did get some fire to it, it was making the most horrible clanging noise in the engine and wouldnt stay started. Had it taken to a Dodge dealership and I'm PRAYING that its a mechanical failure so my extended warranty covers it. Ive been doing some research and find this is not uncommon with the 5.7 HEMI and valve issues.
Anyone have more information on this? I just authorized an 800 dollar teardown to find the problem before the service company will authorize payment and just praying im not on the hook for it...

 

[valiant67]

Without knowing where the noise, miles on the car or a maintenance history it's pretty hard to say.
Seems to me a compression check or a small camera inside a spark plug hole would be a cheaper first step than a tear down.

 

[chromeangel]

it has 113k miles on it. I have no maintenance history with it because i only bought it 2 months ago. It wasnt even due for its next oil change... A tech who was there when it happened said it sounded like a valve seat brokon or something like that.

 

[valiant67]

Hope it is is covered, that has to hurt so soon after purchase. Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[Doug D]

The early non-MDS Hemi's (2003-2004) in the Ram 1500's did have valve issues. Kinda of surprised a 2006 Hemi is having issues.

To date my '06 Ram 1500 w/Hemi has ~185K miles and has run like a champ. Except replacing the EGR valve and normal tune ups it has run fine.

Is the extended warranty from Chrysler? Or aftermarket?

 

[chromeangel]

Its an aftermarket service plan through a major dealership (Autonation Nissan Irving)

I did find this...
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/Charger/2006/engine/premature_engine_failure.shtml

Its almost exactly the same scenario over and over.....

 

[valiant67]

It's still an uncommon failure given how many of these engines are out there. I know that does not make you feel any better. Who actually is behind the warranty? Is it AutoNation or a 3rd party? I've bought new cars and the dealer tried to sell me a 3rd party extended warranty (rather than the manufacturer's) because that's the one the made the most money selling. Sometimes it takes a bit more effort to collect on some of the 3rd party warranties.

 

[chromeangel]

Protective Asset. Well it hasnt been fun so far.... Just holding my breath i guess....
Actually spoke to a guy I know that rebuilds engines for most the local dealerships and he sys he has seen quite a few Hemis come through with similar issues.. I'm just hoping the odds are with me and it is what he thinks it is....

 

[dana44]

That, and hopefully it is just a head problem and not a bottom end and piston problem. Saves quite a bit of money that way.

 

[Doug D]

Protective Asset. Well it hasnt been fun so far.... Just holding my breath i guess....
Actually spoke to a guy I know that rebuilds engines for most the local dealerships and he sys he has seen quite a few Hemis come through with similar issues.. I'm just hoping the odds are with me and it is what he thinks it is....

After having a 3rd party warranty on a Aerostar I use to have I learned they're usually not worth the paper it's printed on.

I agree with Valiant67. There's just not that many Hemi's that have "failed" compared to how many are still running fine with no issues. Even the link you found only pertains to 2006 Chargers and not all the problems listed are Hemi's.

Take a mechanic's viewpoint with a grain of salt -yes, he's seen quite a few 'problems', but he has no idea how many are not having problems.

Hopefully, the warranty company covers a good portion of the repairs costs (if not all) and that at worst it only requires new heads and not an entire engine.

 

[japhiah]

Well let me tell you this the exact same thing happend to me I was leaving work car was running perfectly fine no issues at all I stopped by family dollar to get a kool aid jug I was in there 5 minutes came back out turned the key I haerd the engine stumble I'm like what the heck after trying to crank it a couple times I decided to call a tow truck got it home pulled the plugs one of the cylinders both of the spark plugsthe tip of the plugs were bent clothes so I looked down the holes with a light the piston had holes in it I'm so pissed cause nuthin was wrong wit my car oil was still clean and it never ran hot it was a 06 charger RT