Dodge 2.7L – Worst Engine Or Not?

When it comes to engines, many automotive enthusiasts often engage in passionate discussions about the best and worst performers. One engine that frequently finds itself in the crossfire of debate with Mopar fans is the Dodge 2.7-liter V6.

In this blog post, we’ll examine this engine’s history, its pros and cons, and whether it deserves the title of worst engine. 

History Of The Dodge 2.7L

The Dodge 2.7-liter V6 engine made its debut in the late 1990s, primarily in vehicles such as the Dodge Intrepid and Chrysler Concorde. Based on Chrysler’s 3.5-liter V6, the 2.7-liter motor was designed to offer a balance between performance and fuel efficiency. It was a promising aluminum block design but developed some significant issues, leading to the engine’s less-than-stellar reputation.

Eventually, the 2.7-liter V6 was phased out in favor of the larger 3.5-liter engine, and later, the Chrysler Pentastar V6, a dual overhead cam, multi-valve engine, which is still produced today.

Pros Of The 2.7L Engine:

Despite its issues, the 2.7-liter V6 offered several benefits, including:

• Fuel Efficiency: The 2.7-liter V6 was designed with fuel economy in mind, making it an appealing choice for drivers seeking decent gas mileage.
• Respectable Power Output: The 2.7-liter V6 produced between 178 to 200 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. While not the most powerful engine, it offered respectable power comparable to other engines in its class. 
• Affordable Maintenance: Compared to some high-performance engines, the 2.7-liter V6 tended to have lower maintenance costs, making it budget-friendly for owners.

Chrysler 2.7L V6 Cons:

Even though the Chrysler 2.7L V6 offered good power and fuel economy, it had several significant problems:

• Oil Sludge Issues: Perhaps the most notorious problem plaguing this engine is the tendency to develop oil sludge. This can occur when the gasket between the water pump and the timing chain breaks down, causing the oil and coolant to mix. The location of the ring landings on the piston are not ideal and lead to increased cylinder head temperatures over time. Combine this with the design of the drain back holes in the heads that allow oil pooling at the top of the head and you get a frying pan affect. The sludge buildup is more of an issue on poorly maintained vehicles, but it was serious enough that it led to a class action lawsuit. At Powertrain Products, we supply an updated gasket and enlarge the drain back holes in the head to prevent oil pooling. This corrects most sludge buildup issues. (See more benefits of our rebuilt engines below.)
• Timing Chain Issues: Another problem with the 2.7-liter V6 is issues associated with the timing chain and timing chain tensioners. The tensioners were made out of plastic and were prone to excessive wear. This caused the timing chain to slip, leading to severe engine damage. 
• Other Reliability Concerns: Two other major drawbacks of the Dodge 2.7-liter V6 are less than adequate oil capacity and high operating temperatures. Combine those issues with the fact that it was underpowered for the larger LH vehicles, and you have a recipe for significant reliability problems. In fact, a number of these engines failed well before the 100,000-mile mark, leading to its negative reputation. 

How Powertrain Products Improves The Dodge 2.7-Liter V6

The debate over whether the Dodge 2.7-liter V6 is the worst engine revolves around owners’ conflicting experiences and the prevalence of reported issues. Some argue that proper maintenance and care can prevent most problems, while others claim inherent design flaws make it something to avoid at all costs. 

If you find you need to replace your engine, Powertrain Products offers the following versions of the Dodge 2.7-liter V6:  

• DODGE 2.7 ENGINE 1998-2000
• DODGE 2.7 ENGINE 2000-2001
• DODGE 2.7 ENGINE 2001-2004
• DODGE 2.7 ENGINE 2002-2008
• DODGE 2.7 ENGINE 2006-2008 

Remanufactured Dodge 2.7-liter V6 engines from Powertrain Products get the following upgrades to improve performance and eliminate problems:

• Improved MLS (multi-layer steel) head gaskets to prevent premature head gasket failure from the high heat conditions this engine endures.
• 100% new pressed-in and pinned valve seats to stop seats from dropping and damaging engines. 
• Newly engineered pistons better control the combustion chamber temperature, eliminating the oil sludge issue. We also drill out drain back holes in the head and block to promote proper oiling.
• We corrected the timing chain guide and tensioner failure with new design parts.

Additionally, each engine we sell undergoes the following steps: 

• Full disassembly and cleaning
• Magnaflux testing to check for microscopic cracks and fissures  
• CNC-machined deck surfaces
• New bearings, rings, lifters, freeze plugs, galley plugs, and either a new timing chain or a new timing belt
• SIM testing with the cooling and oil systems is fully pressurized, and the crank is spun at high RPM to verify compression and build quality.

Because of our rigorous remanufacturing process, we offer a 3-year standard warranty on all of our engines. That standard warranty can be upgraded to five or seven years or million miles, whichever comes first. For the ultimate protection, add our no-fault Pure Care™ Warranty to your purchase.

We have the best in-stock coverage of these late-model Dodge engines anywhere. If you’d like to know more about the Dodge 2.7-liter V6 or any other engine, call us at 888-842-0023 or contact us online!