[imaginuhre]

I joined this group to see if anyone else was experiencing a terrible rotational 'clanking' noise from their engines. I read that many are, some even describing the noise as bad as if the engine were a diesel. I also read that Dodge was stone-walling everyone; saying the noise was normal. I'm here to tell you I went through the same thing. After SEVERAL trips to the dealer and finally driving the service manager around in my Nitro then having him take a new one off the lot to drive in, he admitted that the noise was not normal. After the dealer tore apart my transmission and engine, it was determined that the noise came from a scored cylinder and was only repairable by replacing the short-block of my engine. Do I know what this means? Nope. Is the sound gone? Yup.

 

[TylerCanada]

It would be helpful if you could tell us which engine you have.

 

[Triple 6]

I joined this group to see if anyone else was experiencing a terrible rotational 'clanking' noise from their engines. I read that many are, some even describing the noise as bad as if the engine were a diesel. I also read that Dodge was stone-walling everyone; saying the noise was normal. I'm here to tell you I went through the same thing. After SEVERAL trips to the dealer and finally driving the service manager around in my Nitro then having him take a new one off the lot to drive in, he admitted that the noise was not normal. After the dealer tore apart my transmission and engine, it was determined that the noise came from a scored cylinder and was only repairable by replacing the short-block of my engine. Do I know what this means? Nope. Is the sound gone? Yup.

1st question...do you have the 20" chrome clad wheels?

 

[kaleos]

Thankyou Imaginuhre, Do You Have More Info?

I joined this group to see if anyone else was experiencing a terrible rotational 'clanking' noise from their engines. I read that many are, some even describing the noise as bad as if the engine were a diesel. I also read that Dodge was stone-walling everyone; saying the noise was normal. I'm here to tell you I went through the same thing. After SEVERAL trips to the dealer and finally driving the service manager around in my Nitro then having him take a new one off the lot to drive in, he admitted that the noise was not normal. After the dealer tore apart my transmission and engine, it was determined that the noise came from a scored cylinder and was only repairable by replacing the short-block of my engine. Do I know what this means? Nope. Is the sound gone? Yup.

hello imanginuhre, any and all information that was given to you from the dealership would be greatly appreciated. you are one of the few to stand your ground on this issue and i'm glad you did. your info will help us all. do you know the work order number, part number, if they mentioned a recall, anything else will be helpful to us all!!

i have the 3.7 liter v-6, slt.

thanks,
mcnabb (kaleos) in louisiana.............:wavey:

 

[Hogrider]

noisy engine

Hey gang, I am going through this whole bag of worms as we type, I am going to pick up my R/T tomorrow,the dealer has had it almost a month, after changing the engine the noise did not go away, then they changed the rockers...noise still did not go away, Chrysler rep drove car yesterday, said noise was normal, knocking sound between 1500 and 1800 rpm under a load, from what I am hearing on this site mine is not an isolated case..lets keep their feet to the fire, mine started making noise at 1700 miles, now has 4000 and still noisy and NOT acceptable..

Must give credit to dealer, they are standing behind me..

The sad part is we love the car..shifts a little funky.. engine first then tranny..

 

[Triple 6]

Okay...since imaginuhre hasn't replied to me, I'll go into my story.

I "had" the same "clicking" noise on my Nitro. But, mine wasn't coming from the engine compartment, mine was coming from the wheels! I took it in to the German dealer here and they confirmed the clicking noise. They called Chrysler and Chrysler said it was the chrome clad covers coming unglued from the actual wheels and shifting while driving. So, they took off my wheels and reglued the covers back onto the actual wheels....no more clicking!

Not sure if we're talking about the same thing or not, but we could be and I think we are. "Rotational clicking noise" sounds like wheels to me.

 

[imaginuhre]

Here's my story...

To begin with, I own a 2007 Nitro R/T 4.0 with 20" wheels. I first noticed the knocking 3 months after ownership and it only got worse. I also had to take it in for "TSB 23-031-07 Vibration at Highway Speeds or Clunk Squeak Sound at Low Speed." which only applies to Nitros with 20" rims. They inspected the vehicle, made a couple adjustments and the vibration went away. That wasn't the noise.

First, the dealer never mentioned a recall. The noise was rotational and was obvious the moment the vehicle started to move forward and reverse and increased with speed. The noise could be felt through the floorboard. Here's what my paperwork says:

"MAIN BEARING KNOCKING TYPE, NEED TO TEAR DOWN TO INSPECT FRONT OF OIL PAN. REMOVED CYL HEADS TO INSPECT, FOUND THE #2 CYL WALLS DEEPLY SCORED. REPLACED SHORT BLOCK, CLEAN CARBON FROM BOTH HEADS.

The invoice number is D3CS779479, if that helps. The part number is 5167740-AA, engine short block. Can any dealer pull it up? What else can I tell you from my paperwork which will help?

 

[Triple 6]

To begin with, I own a 2007 Nitro R/T 4.0 with 20" wheels. I first noticed the knocking 3 months after ownership and it only got worse. I also had to take it in for "TSB 23-031-07 Vibration at Highway Speeds or Clunk Squeak Sound at Low Speed." which only applies to Nitros with 20" rims. They inspected the vehicle, made a couple adjustments and the vibration went away. That wasn't the noise.

First, the dealer never mentioned a recall. The noise was rotational and was obvious the moment the vehicle started to move forward and reverse and increased with speed. The noise could be felt through the floorboard. Here's what my paperwork says:

"MAIN BEARING KNOCKING TYPE, NEED TO TEAR DOWN TO INSPECT FRONT OF OIL PAN. REMOVED CYL HEADS TO INSPECT, FOUND THE #2 CYL WALLS DEEPLY SCORED. REPLACED SHORT BLOCK, CLEAN CARBON FROM BOTH HEADS.

The invoice number is D3CS779479, if that helps. The part number is 5167740-AA, engine short block. Can any dealer pull it up? What else can I tell you from my paperwork which will help?

(PS - Sorry Triple 6 for taking so long to answer you. I'm home with the flu.)

No problem...sorry to hear about the flu.

But, that's what I'm saying...you TOO have the 20" wheels...I wonder if your sounds isn't going away because it's actually the wheels. Wish I could help more.

 

[Hogrider]

It can be simulated by standing on the brake and pressing on accelerator 1500 to 1800 rpm, no forward movement...knock knock

 

[imaginuhre]

California Lemon Law

Well guys - after less then a month, the engine knocking noise is coming back. Instead of fooling with Dodge any longer, I'm getting a refund. Acura, here I come...

 

[KenCary]

I joined this group to see if anyone else was experiencing a terrible rotational 'clanking' noise from their engines. I read that many are, some even describing the noise as bad as if the engine were a diesel. I also read that Dodge was stone-walling everyone; saying the noise was normal. I'm here to tell you I went through the same thing. After SEVERAL trips to the dealer and finally driving the service manager around in my Nitro then having him take a new one off the lot to drive in, he admitted that the noise was not normal. After the dealer tore apart my transmission and engine, it was determined that the noise came from a scored cylinder and was only repairable by replacing the short-block of my engine. Do I know what this means? Nope. Is the sound gone? Yup.

I am happy to hear that your dealer is fixing this.

Basically by a short block, your dealer is telling you that you need an entire lower engine assembly-- block, pistons, crank etc.

He'll bolt on your old heads and you will more or less have a new motor.

Ken

 

[StarBandit]

After seeing all the metal shavings in my oil at 700 miles, I can believe it. Never have seen so much metal flake at the bottom of an oil change pan. I've noticed a slight (faint) noise from mine but think it's from the gas than the engine itself. More of a slight low octane knock. I'm at 1400 now and will see how it goes.

Good luck with the Acura!

 

[rockinjudy]

I bought a 2011 nitro in June of 2011 car was very sound until it reached one thousand miles...A noisey clanking sound sounded like when you blow on a bottle top making a owl sound would happen when I was making a full stop and when I would step on the gas... the dealership thought it was the transmission valve which was changed picked up the vechicle noise still there service manager knew it was not fixed told me to try to drive the noise out...took vechicle back a new transmission put in noise gone but now the nitro sounds like a disel truck like the engine is dragging sounds like I am driving in the wrong gear the floorboard is vibrating you can hear a humming noise in the engine the radio does not even drown out the engine noise and service manager has went several times on test drives he says this is normal...not only engine problems front brakes squeeking so bad dealership has changed them out twice and still squeeking service manager also says normal... HELP I am so stressed out every other day I am at the dealership they wont even take it in to check it... I have called dodge mfg they gave me a case manager they listen but dont do anything I paid too much for a piece of junk

 

[shotinthenads]

I bought a 2011 nitro in June of 2011 car was very sound until it reached one thousand miles...A noisey clanking sound sounded like when you blow on a bottle top making a owl sound would happen when I was making a full stop and when I would step on the gas... the dealership thought it was the transmission valve which was changed picked up the vechicle noise still there service manager knew it was not fixed told me to try to drive the noise out...took vechicle back a new transmission put in noise gone but now the nitro sounds like a disel truck like the engine is dragging sounds like I am driving in the wrong gear the floorboard is vibrating you can hear a humming noise in the engine the radio does not even drown out the engine noise and service manager has went several times on test drives he says this is normal...not only engine problems front brakes squeeking so bad dealership has changed them out twice and still squeeking service manager also says normal... HELP I am so stressed out every other day I am at the dealership they wont even take it in to check it... I have called dodge mfg they gave me a case manager they listen but dont do anything I paid too much for a piece of junk

I am sure I am missing something, but did you test drive this before you bought it? Is it running differently now? Brake squeal may be normal at times depending on many factors, but not normal every time you use the brakes. Did you contact your Attorney Generals Office? Can you afford $200-$400 for an attorney to write a letter to Chrysler? If they are not responding to you, you need to step it up and take some extra steps. Please take some video of the problems and post to YouTube as evidence. Document every conversation. On a side note, take a look at the underside. Do you see any hydro fluid wet areas? Just curious. If you do I may have an answer for you.

 

[DrewsBrews]

Dodge engines are noisy. One of my previous vehicles; a dakota with a 5.2l sounded like marbles under the valve cover when idling cold, but kept going with no complaint. I still see it driving around today. My nitro will sometimes have a similar sound when it's cold. I'm realy not worried about it.

 

[Scum Frog]

Dodge engines are noisy. One of my previous vehicles; a dakota with a 5.2l sounded like marbles under the valve cover when idling cold, but kept going with no complaint. I still see it driving around today. My nitro will sometimes have a similar sound when it's cold. I'm realy not worried about it.

I agree with you. If your engine is having issues you will see other symptoms like oil consumption, poor performance, unexplained poorer gas mileage, failed environmental tests, etc,etc.

 

[airboyac]

Lemon Law. you have your rights, good luck

 

[krang00]

Sorry to dredge this back up, but my wife's R/T 2007 Nitro seems to be experiencing the same noise. I just really started noticing it this winter, not sure if the cold weather is making a difference. I haven't really noticed any performance issues, but I'm about to start pulling a trailer with it and don't want the thing to break 100 miles from home.

It seriously sounds like a diesel at idle.

Anyone have a resolution or is it "fine" and just loud?

 

[darkbluenitro]

Post a sound clip so we can hear it

 

[Donnapilat]

Sorry to dredge this back up, but my wife's R/T 2007 Nitro seems to be experiencing the same noise. I just really started noticing it this winter, not sure if the cold weather is making a difference. I haven't really noticed any performance issues, but I'm about to start pulling a trailer with it and don't want the thing to break 100 miles from home.

It seriously sounds like a diesel at idle.

Anyone have a resolution or is it "fine" and just loud?