Just got a 1990 Dodge with the 3.0 in it. Any known problems with these?

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Sportster4Eva - 08 Dec 2004 21:36 GMT

Hi,
I recently acquired a 1990 Dodge Monaco, with the 3.0 v6.
It's the SOHC model with 60,000 miles on it.
What kinds of problems are there with these engines?
I read somewhere that it's actually made by Mitsubishi, is this true?
Are they any good, or have I gotten a money pit?
The tranny has been replaced, due to some major problem before I got it,
I know this because it was a family members car.
I do all my own service and repair work, within reason... so I'd like to
know what to expect as it gets uop there in mileage..
Thanks for any/all replies,

Signature

Paul
'91 XL1200
'77 GL1000 (W.I.P.)
"I feel more like I do now than when I got here"

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Daniel J. Stern - 08 Dec 2004 22:43 GMT

> Hi,
> I recently acquired a 1990 Dodge Monaco, with the 3.0 v6.
> It's the SOHC model with 60,000 miles on it.
> What kinds of problems are there with these engines?
> I read somewhere that it's actually made by Mitsubishi, is this true?

No. The 3.0 V6 used on every other Chrysler product was a Mitsubishi-made
engine. The Dodge Monaco/Eagle Premier engine is the P-R-V V6 engine, so
named because it was designed and built as a joint venture among Peugeot,
Renault and Volvo. Versions of this engine were also used in '76-'85
Volvos and in the Delorean, among other cars. The engine itself, in the
3-litre form you've got, is not terribly problematic though parts are
expensive. You've got much bigger worries with the engine management
system and vehicle electrical system. And the transmission.

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kmatheson@sisna.com - 08 Dec 2004 23:44 GMT

> > Hi,
> > I recently acquired a 1990 Dodge Monaco, with the 3.0 v6.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> expensive. You've got much bigger worries with the engine management
> system and vehicle electrical system. And the transmission.

That's pretty much what I have read in this NG over the years about
these cars. The styling was nice, but the electrical system was prone
to failures.

If I remember correctly, when Chrysler aquired AMC/Jeep in 1989, they
were required to continue to produce these cars under the terms of the
purchase agreement. Renault had just finished a manufacturing plant,
and they wanted to try to recoup their investment.

-Kirk Matheson

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Steve - 09 Dec 2004 18:20 GMT

>>Hi,
>>I recently acquired a 1990 Dodge Monaco, with the 3.0 v6.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> No. The 3.0 V6 used on every other Chrysler product was a Mitsubishi-made
> engine.

Disregard my previous post- For some reason I saw "Monaco" and read
"Dynasty" instead.

Dan's right, its not a Mitsubishi.

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maxpower - 08 Dec 2004 22:46 GMT

OMG are they still around???? run>>>>>>>>>

> Hi,
> I recently acquired a 1990 Dodge Monaco, with the 3.0 v6.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> know what to expect as it gets uop there in mileage..
> Thanks for any/all replies,

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Steve - 09 Dec 2004 18:18 GMT

> Hi,
> I recently acquired a 1990 Dodge Monaco, with the 3.0 v6.
> It's the SOHC model with 60,000 miles on it.
> What kinds of problems are there with these engines?

The biggest problem is excessive oil consumption. Ususally caused by bad
valve guides, valve guides partially dropped out of the head, or piston
ring problems.

> I read somewhere that it's actually made by Mitsubishi, is this true?

100% true.

> Are they any good, or have I gotten a money pit?

Not usually. They're one of those "cockroach" engines like the GM
2.8/3.1/3.4 series- they run forever but have no other redeeming
features whatsoever, and you start finding yourself WISHING it'd puke a
rod out the side (which the GM ones actually do not too infrequently....)

> The tranny has been replaced, due to some major problem before I got it,
> I know this because it was a family members car.
> I do all my own service and repair work, within reason... so I'd like to
> know what to expect as it gets uop there in mileage..
> Thanks for any/all replies,

Watch for oil consumption. There are MANY tech service bulletins on that
engine for oil consumption throughout its entire production run, and
they never did get them all completely fixed. The worst problem was the
valve guides slipping down in the head and creating 24 large oil leaks.
the fix involves getting at the top end and (IIRC) installing a snap
ring on each valve guide to keep it from dropping out. Don't remember if
you had to pull the head and machine anything or not.

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