Not Related But Willing

IMG-20220820-WA0073.jpg

Well Hello There Fellow Technicians And Hivers!

I'm back and today I've got a Dodge Journey 3.6liter V6 Automatic! Well it really isn't something to boast about or even draw to an awing sight! Perhaps back in the day this would have been the thing to drive but it surely isn't anymore! I do see a lot of them around so they aren't completely dead yet!

Now this specific one has caused is a headache or two over the last few months, see the client didn't have the funds to fix it until now and we've had to move it around the shop numerous times! It was a laborious task, now at-least we can drive it up and down, oh wait also not anymore!

What happened here always happens!
Let's get into it shall we!

IMG_20231109_090851.jpg

Close One Door And Another Opens!

Well I do have to agree with that saying! Although not in the fondest of ways!

Eventually the client gave the go ahead to get the transmission fixed and well we did just that and starting the vehicle we were left with some major problems, well minor but it could lead to some devastating results if left unattended!

We have a oil leak! Report to the main desk for evacuation!

Laughs well, I'm glad it's nothing transmission related at all! But bad news for the clients that already saved up a huge lump sum to put down for the transmission, hearing this I can't see how they'll be happy, but it is what it is!

IMG_20231109_083748.jpg


It's hard to notice the oil in the first picture above this paragraph, but below is a nice picture of where the oil gathers. I have to add that it also doesn't look like it's that bad, but it is. It's leaking from the head somewhere and flowing down the transmission, hence it might make it look like it is the transmission leaking!

I also noticed that someone has already fiddled around with the wiring on this vehicle and that is a bad indication! No wonder the TCM burnt out on the vehicle!!

IMG_20231109_083754.jpg

Off Goes The Intake Manifold!

No doubt about it we have to remove the Intake Manifold! I have to find out what the hell is leaking after all, we can't just go blindly! Heck I don't even know what is located underneath the Intake Manifold! I've never removed a Dodge Journey's Intake Manifold before in my life!

I am keen on this one though! It's nice doing some stuff that isn't transmission related at all! It increases my spectrum of knowledge!

IMG_20231109_083848.jpg


Now I already know that I'm going to be exposing the valves to all of this crap lying underneath the intake manifold! Of-course I can clean up before I start but I'd rather not have anything tumble down into the valve system at all!

Quite impossible unless you somehow manage to get this all clean before you remove it, but it's not the top I'm worried about! Laughs!

Apologies, I do notice this photo came out a little blurry!

IMG_20231109_085411.jpg

Just As Expected!

Well no, I did not expect to see the oil filter and heat exchanger of the oil system to be trapped right in between the center of where the most heat is! Okay yes most heat escapes from the exhaust and also gets sucked out underneath the vehicle but naturally heat travels up and that is literally on top of the engine!

I can't see how this is healthy for any vehicle at all, especially not these driving in high and slow moving traffic! It would be terrifying to say the least!

Look at all the dirt and grime! This has been a problem long before it has been a problem! Let me show you why!

IMG_20231109_090826.jpg


We still have some removing to do! But I already know why this is leaking!

I want to remove the entire filter/exchanger unit, the problem we are looking for is lying underneath the system, where it joins with the flow of everything! Now once again my problem is spilling some water into the engine self, because this indeed does have both oil and coolant running through it!

Oh and it's nasty!!!!

IMG_20231109_104505.jpg


Hold up though! I'm forgetting something!

What can that be?

"Looks Thoroughly! Ahhhh!"

See first we have to close up the air ways leading to the valve system! So I gently wiped most of the grime and yuck stuff away, of-course a few particles did fall in but the less the better!

I am going to force everything out with air once I finish the job, which won't be today! I wonder when the client will have the funds available for this one!

IMG_20231109_105054.jpg


Before I go pushing and pulling on anything, I removed the power pin connectors, I really don't want to be doing wiring on this thing as well after this!

The coolant pipe leading to the heat exchanger is also pretty messed up, it's gotten swolen over time from all the oil leaking over it. Replaced it has to be, unless he want s a cheap wack jo job?
I left the coolant pipe on though, it wont pull of for anything, it'll tear though but that is fine, I did drain most of the coolant anyways. With that said it'll sure as hell have some in that pipe!

IMG_20231109_105345.jpg

Tending To Old Wounds!

Now we've got this client whether he likes it or not, laughs. He can't come and turn around saying this was our faults or something, which is going to be the case either way. Oh of that you can be sure!

It's a hot mess down there! But we aren't going to clean any further than this, the client has to come speak to us first! Which is kind of saddening because I really want to patch this up and have her driving around like she's never been sick before!

Maybe next time right!

IMG_20231109_112805.jpg


I'm going to add a few images of the horrific mess left down there! Enjoy the total trash xD Laughs, seriously though!

Enough Silicone To Add To The Bathroom Sink!

IMG_20231109_112815.jpg


The Heat Exchanger Seal Looking Pretty Bad, Water And Oil Flowing Here! Recipe For Disaster!

IMG_20231109_113103.jpg


I Found A Unplugged Knock Sensor, So There Is That!

IMG_20231109_112852.jpg


The Swollen Coolant Pipe I Mentioned Earlier!

IMG_20231109_113108.jpg

1699551594388.jpg


Dated 09/11/2023

Take note this is not a how to guide, merely myself talking about the work I do and my thoughts around certain things.

To everyone who made it this far into my post Thank you for the read and the support.

If you found this entertaining or educational please consider a re-blog and up-vote.

Most of all please leave a input in the comments below, whether is good or bad critic I would like to know, whether its your opinion or your way of doing things in a different manner I would like.

Power House Creatives Logos FINAL.png

Connecting the people of #HIVE across South Africa. #hive



6 comments
avatar

A bit tedious to get those leaks, especially the intake manifold leak.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Yeah it can be a real headache sometimes but this I quite enjoyed, it was a break away from the usual transmission work I do! So to be frank it was a lot of fun digging in there! Keeps the brain active you know!

!PIZZA
!LUV

0
0
0.000
avatar
(Edited)

Wow!, tremendous disaster that you see there! It is a fact that the client will deny having taken the car like that 😂, but hey, those situations are normal. I hope you can give yourself the pleasure of repairing it, I know what it feels like to leave a job half done and wanting to finish it. Greetings

0
0
0.000
avatar
(Edited)

Yeah it's a thorn in one's side hey!! And I started cleaning everything out half expecting the parts to be there on that day 😂.. Hectic. I was super excited in doing that, it's a break away from the usual transmission work we do.

!PIZZA

0
0
0.000