My Horror Story (Don't read at bedtime)

[marcusu81]

Background:
Mid 2003 - See new viper in person for the first time. Fall Madly in love!

Aug 2005 to present - Start a new job. Make my way up the ladder to the point I can afford this love affair .......... all the while planning on making this dream come true.

March 23rd 2007 - Buy my first Viper (Black '04 vert w/ 899 miles). Oh happy days!!!! ......... Except for the wait that's coming ......... It's getting shipped from Georgia to Dallas.

March 23rd to the 29th 2007 - The wait ............ best described as the hardest week in my life. It was like every christmas eve in my life rolled together.

March 30th 2007 - A day I'll never forget. Delivery day!!!!

March 30th to April 7th 2007 - Best described as the happiest week in my life.

April 7th 2007 to present - The horror story begins.


So, one week (yes, one week) after I get this wonderous piece of machinery in my hands for the first time I run into a bit of bad luck. I'm on my way back to Dallas from San Antonio (great four hour highway cruise) and just before getting home I lose a LOT of power and hear a very unpleasant sound. This happens a mile and a half from the house so I cruise the rest of the way in. Getting out of the car I notice an unmistakable smell coming from the exhaust ........ burned out cats. I get my new (to me, at least) car to Dallas dodge ........ thank god there's still warranty ............ to find and fix the problem. Turns out my nose was telling the truth. One of the cats went bad ............. which damaged two of the cylinders .............. which explains the loss of power ..................... which causes the service dept. to order a new engine. ................ Told you not to read this at bedtime, you should have listened.

Bad news: Of the three weeks I've had my car, it's been sitting in a service dept. for two of them and I still don't have it back.

Good news: the week that I had it makes up for the two that I haven't. At this point I'm not mad or discouraged ........ I just want my baby back.

Better news: All of the repairs are on DC's dime.

Best News: Starting next week I'll be cruising around in one of the baddest ass vehicle's ever made!



Just thought I'd share.

 

[Austin]

Background:
Mid 2003 - See new viper in person for the first time. Fall Madly in love!
Aug 2005 to present - Start a new job. Make my way up the ladder to the point I can afford

What kind of story is that?

 

[NHL2133]

That does ****, but you'll make out okay in the end it sounds like. Sorry for being a smart a$$!

 

[RX VIPER]

Ummmmm Congrats????

 

[marcusu81]

What kind of story is that?

Okay ......... so I hit the wrong button in the middle of writing it. If at first you don't succeed, try try again right?

 

[SSSSE YA]

Hey it is Dodge, Thank God for warranty's. You will have better luck when You are back "On the road again"

Please keep US updated.

 

[C O D Y]

How does a bad cat damage two cylinders? All cats will go bad in enough time. Doesn't add up.

 

[Austin]

In any event, your engine will be better than new.

 

[CarDude]

In any event...you will be better than new.

 

[Viper ACR]

How does a bad cat damage two cylinders? All cats will go bad in enough time. Doesn't add up.

I'm with cody how can bad cats destroy a cylinder ?

 

[SweetRed04]

I'm with cody how can bad cats destroy a cylinder ?

'm

I'm 3rd on this, How do cats, which are completely beyond the engine destroy any cylinders?

 

[InjectTheVenom]

If a cat goes bad and clogs up completely with exhaust gasses having nowhere to go.. too much back pressure wreaking havoc (even with the crossover)?

 

[marcusu81]

'm

I'm 3rd on this, How do cats, which are completely beyond the engine destroy any cylinders?

I'm too far from being a mechanic to answer that one. Been a little curious myself. Maybe someone out there a bit more savvy w/ machinery could explain?

 

[SweetRed04]

If a cat goes bad and clogs up completely with exhaust gasses having nowhere to go.. too much back pressure wreaking havoc (even with the crossover)?

Even if you TOTALLY block the exhaust, the only thing that will happen is the loss of power associated with not allowing fresh air into the cylinders. Loss of power, just like a potato in the tailpipe.

 

[AZTVR]

Could be something like a failure of the valve train at the "bad" cylinders causing unburnt fuel to flood the converter and causing its failure instead of the other way around ?

You probably would never notice the loss of power from two cylinders onthe freeway. Wasn't until the converter was fouled that all 5 feeding it were affected and brought a temporary end to your happiness.

 

[Kenny]

Could be something like a failure of the valve train at the "bad" cylinders causing unburnt fuel to flood the converter and causing its failure instead of the other way around ?

You probably would never notice the loss of power from two cylinders onthe freeway. Wasn't until the converter was fouled that all 5 feeding it were affected and brought a temporary end to your happiness.

Yep, my guess is isn't wasn't the cats that caused two bad cylinders, but vice-versa.

If you are getting an Arrow rebuild, you'll have more power than you did stock.

 

[marcusu81]

Could be something like a failure of the valve train at the "bad" cylinders causing unburnt fuel to flood the converter and causing its failure instead of the other way around ?

You probably would never notice the loss of power from two cylinders onthe freeway. Wasn't until the converter was fouled that all 5 feeding it were affected and brought a temporary end to your happiness.

That cetainly soundsmore believable. And there was a very rich fuel smell coming from the exhaust.

All things going well I should be picking it up on wednesday ............ I'll be sure to ask plenty of questiions and share the answers w/everyone.

 

[agentf1]

All is well that ends well. Thank god for the warranty huh.

Congrats on the new ride.

 

[Bandit3]

Another reason to remove them.

 

[DodgeViper01]

New engine? Can not complain with that one although having 889 miles on it is pretty much new already.

 

[CarDude]

Dang I missed the part where it only had 889 miles on it. I recently bought my wife a Charger SRT8 Super Bee (last weekend) and it lost a bearing (more likely a rod) of some sort (285 miles) so I feel for you. You will be better than stock where we will hope to be close to stock. That ***** even more. This is her first "special" car so she is devistated. Really ***** since our Ram SRT-10 is also out of commission with blown engine as well.

 

[Venomiss]

Your story has a happy ending and when you get your car back post some pictures.

Some handy information just in case you didn't know already-
Meetings are 2nd Saturday of each month-check the website for location.
www.northtexasviperclub.com
Membership is worth every penny.

Now it's time to join the VCA and have some fun!

 

[nasoutdoor]

Sorry to hear of your bad luck. As a New Owner myself (3/07), all I can say it's painful waiting for your car, but when it arrives you'll be in Nirvana. Enjoy the ride, it's a blast to drive.