[Joethelegend]

So i tested 2 different Dodge nitros 3.7L, both had the same loud clunk sound that could be felt like under the vehicle, kind of felt it on gas pedal a bit. They both go away after gaining some speed (approximately after 15-20mph). At idle speed there's no cluck, at Parking revving it is barely hearable. It is definitely most noticeable when the SUV's start moving and gets a bit louder and faster with more rev and speed at low speed & after that it dissapears.

Both of them ran well and changed gears and felt & sounded smooth at high speeds without problems.

The first Nitro is a 2011 3.7L (no 4x4), only has 60K miles, but had most of the paint and most interior warn out especially driver side.. they were asking $4,500 OBO. The second Nitro is a 2009 3.7L (no 4x4) has 105K miles on it but has excellent exterior & interior and they are asking only $2,000 and the deal was for $1,700 which i agreed on. But i am having seconds thoughs because of the weird clunking.

The second Nitro's owner told me he has had the sound issue since they bought the car new. Their mechanic told them that the noise is pretty common on these SUV's. They also provided evidence of some of the maintenance record. Both owner were senior citizens and seemed honest.

I still have not done the transaction. What could be the reason of this noise?

 

[Adam85]

could it be the serpentine belt tensioner?

 

[Joethelegend]

I think both vehicles are having loud metal sound like engine knocks. When i checked both dipsticks both oil marks were at the end of the dipstick way past the add oil mark.

I decided to call the owner of the first nitro i checked i told her about the second one having the same noise as hers. And since i was no longer interested in her nitro she decided to tell the truth.

She started hearing the loud sound a few months ago especially at cold start. It never went away... got scared & decided to buy a new SUV.

So i think this is more a maintenance issue or these nitro motors are really bad.

I really am tempted on buying the second one because it was like in new condition on the inside and paint was in very good condition.

Only asking me $1,800... but now the price makes sense... What a shame i really liked it but the motor seems to be the issue.

Does anybody think it's another issue?

Maybe i should ask for a lower price and give it a try? Could it last long with that knock or maybe get fixed?

 

[Joethelegend]

Could it be the CV Joints?

Just heard the sound and it sounds VERY similar to it.

Symptoms happened while driving starting to drive at low speed while in traffif driving straight and also accelerating and turning.

After picking up a bit of speed like after 15-20 and highway.straight driving it went away and felt smooth. Was not felt at idle parked.

 

[Joethelegend]

Took it a jeep mechanic before buying, said sound comes from the motor and that is something normal on these 3.7L engines. It sounded more like a glu glu glu type of sound that gets louder as you accelerate but only on first gear or reverse after that its barely hearable without traffic.


Decided to buy the nitro i think it's a bargain for $1,800, couldn't pass up. Been using it all day today, all good so far.

 

[Joethelegend]

The didn't lie bout maintenance & repairs, nitro has a whole new suspension, AC evaporator fixed, windows fixed and tinted, new battery, new brakes, exterior & interior shampooed, 4 keys also had a airbagclockspring fixed & some more fixes...

 

[iiradu]

Hi, for me was noise from Differential in the back was broke. So I have replaced and now no more noice.

 

[2010NitroHeat]

Looks like an amazing deal, for the price.... would be even if it cost double.

 

[SthglosHI]

This is kinda random, but I had a knocking sound develop on my 3.7 several years back. I got scared thinking big ends were knocking, low oil pressure etc. All sorts of things flying through my head. It didn’t happen all the time and only more obvious when cold starting.

Turned out to be the viscous fan assembly wobbling allowing the metal fan to hit the radiator shroud.

I guess what I’m saying here is sometimes it’s not the case obvious things, there are many other parts that fail giving symptoms similar to engine faults.

And by the way the wobble wasn’t detectable by playing around with the fan by hand.