So I drive my 2003 SRT-10 almost everyday in the summer when its not raining and nice out, can't drive it in the winter! Its bone stock, and I know how to drive having had a lamborghini diablo, porsche 911s, and I currently own over 15 vehicles as I own an exotic limo company. I don't race at all an just use it as a summer car. So a few weeks ago I'm driving the viper and it seems like its having problems above 4000 rpms and the exhaust sound is extremely loud. I stop at a gas station look around at the engine don't notice any leaks or anything unusual. Start it back up, its running fine. Well last week the probelm happens again, this time in any gear above 4000 rpms it will not climb any more RPMs. So I take it into the dealer Falls Chrsyler in Cuyahoga falls where they always take good care of me. They tell me its the lifters, and Dodge told them to replace them all. Heres the problem: they don't have any in the whole country! And worse to boot that this is becoming more well known on alot of SRT-10s. So they tell me there is no ETA on the parts and it could be months and to take it home so nobody messes with it while its sitting at the dealer. Which is fine. Now in Ohio in 2 more months is SNOW! So does that mean I don't get to drive my viper for the rest of the year because Dodge doesn't have its own parts in stock on a becoming more common problem? So I have one of my secretaries call Dodge to tell them I want a replacement vehicle, maybe another viper or something nice to have until they get their own parts in. Get this: The viper Dodge/Chrysler's more expensive car doesn't come with a rental policy, but alot of their other cars do. We explained to them how we just bought 3 new chryslers in the last 2 months, (new 300 limos) yet thers nothing they can do.
So beware of Dodge's customer service and owner loyalty, cause when theres a problem don't expect them to help you at all! So I guess I'll just be sitting here for who knows how many months because of Dodge's problem, we the owners are the victims!
The recall were the valves were ground incorrectly. Are you sure Dodge said it was the lifters? Correct me if I'm wrong but if it is the valves, you would have had the issue back in '03..?
I thought the recall on the vavles were for the lack of HP and they needed to be ground down for a proper fit. Never heard of the lifter problem, good luck. DC has no customer loyalty, once the car is gone, it becomes your problem. There are few exceptions. Once in a while you'll find good people to help you from DC, like Tator :thumb:
Thank you all for your support. Gerald, I bought the car with about 5000 miles in spring of 04 so if there was a problem in 03 about the valves/lifters I didn't have the car at that time.
Can anybody find me information on the valves recall? I'm guessing it wasnt an offical recall but a problem, because when I search online all I can find is the recalls on the Exterior lighting headlights, and the fuel system. ?
have the dealer or yourself call the Star center and also get the local/regional DCX rep involved in the issue. tell the dealer you want to talk to the zone rep asap! They should be able to get you any part you need.
I just got the viper back today, a month and a half later. They called me last week said the valves were in on Monday, took it in. Then they sent the heads out to be looked at... Final GTS you were somewhat right, they replaced one of the exhaust manifolds along with a slew of other stuff: Valve springs, valve guides, tappet-HYD. roller, NPN Spec hydl, gasket pkg-engine upper, screw-hex flange head, plug, oil/ filter, coolant, replaced ALL valves (their notes say: grind and/or replace), replaced catalytic converter/ muffler assembly-left AND right, machine valve job.
Here are their notes:
Lifter leaking down checked fuel pressure (good) checked for poor spark (good) ran injector kill test and only cylinder 1-3-5-7-9 would not kill or have RPM drop. Performed leak down test on those cylinders only had 4 percent leakage performec compression test on involved cyl noticed on bump test rocker would rise up after compressing valve. Called star center to get case started, ordered all new liftesr and gasket kit. parts on back order. Returned to customer but not to drive due to possibly more damage. removed both cylinder heads and gaskets, replaced all 20 lifters, installed new head gaskets and had cylinder head machined due to burnt exhaust valves on left bank, torque to specs, refilled coolant and changed oil, found left and right bank convertor coming apart especially the left bank cat molded temp was too high, replaced both cahts and reinstalled side panels.
I wonder how all this could have happened? All I do is spirited driving in town to my offices and such. Hope all this info is helpful to somebody in the future!
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