I've had better ways to start a weekend

[nh_mopar_fan]

Driving home last night on the highway at around 65mph, I hear a pop.

Oil light goes on. I start to pull over, power diappears, car stalls.

It was dark but I could see the oil from under the hood and it left a small amount on the ground.

It's a 2002 Sebring with the infamous 2.7L. I think they got the sludge issues solved around 2002 so I'm not sure if that was the issue with mine.

It just turned 187K this week so it really didn't owe me anything. Guess I'm driving the Dakota for a while.

Is it worth parting this thing out or selling it as a parts car?

[Silver R/T]

First, find out what's the problem with it. It might be as simple as oil sending unit. Does it get good mpg, might be worth fixing.

[nh_mopar_fan]

That's the plan.

Did hear a POP just before the oil light came on.

I think it's toast.

we'll see.

[472 R/T SE]

Water pump?  They're internal and when they go it's not good.  What'd the oil look like on the dipstick?

That sucks, sorry to hear, and I know how much you like Chrysler products as it is. 
I would guess you need to decide whether it's worth it to pick up another rig or try to fix it and hope to get another 100k miles out of it?  It could very well turn into a money pit, replace the motor and the tranny goes.

I had a good friend ask me to try and sell his wife's Sebring.  I couldn't conscientiously do it.

Maybe PM Stu?

[NHCharger]

Is this the same car that apparently has a big bullseye on it every time your in Boston?

BTW, did you ever find out what the clunking noise was on your Charger? Our first spring cruise is only a few weeks away.

[nh_mopar_fan]

Same car. Hit 4 times in 3 years.   

I pocketed enough from each accident to almost cover what I paid for the thing. 

The rear bumper was paid for 3 times and never had to be replaced. 

Have not touched the 67 since I put it in storage last November. I plan on getting to it in the next couple of weeks.

[dkn1997]

...........

It just turned 187K this week so it really didn't owe me anything. Guess I'm driving the Dakota for a while.

This says it all.  Last thing you want is to start tearing into it and having it turn into the aforementioned "money pit"
However, it is new enough that it's probably got a lot of good parts on it.  junking it is easiest and makes the least money....while parting it can be a pain in the rump but obviousely more $ for you...

If it was a convertible with the belts in the seats, I would grab those from you.

[Old Moparz]

Wanna make your money back on it?

Paint a Red Sox logo on it, tow it down to the Bronx on opening day, & offer people 3 swings with a baseball bat for a buck.   

[nh_mopar_fan]

...........

It just turned 187K this week so it really didn't owe me anything. Guess I'm driving the Dakota for a while.

This says it all.  Last thing you want is to start tearing into it and having it turn into the aforementioned "money pit"
However, it is new enough that it's probably got a lot of good parts on it.  junking it is easiest and makes the least money....while parting it can be a pain in the rump but obviousely more $ for you...

If it was a convertible with the belts in the seats, I would grab those from you.

It is a ragtop. Tan leather seats with the seat belts in the seats. I'll know more tomorrow on what the outcome will be.

[nh_mopar_fan]

Wanna make your money back on it?

Paint a Red Sox logo on it, tow it down to the Bronx on opening day, & offer people 3 swings with a baseball bat for a buck.   

Nah, they have no money left after they drop the cash for the ridiculously over-prices seats.

[dkn1997]

what, you can't afford 2600 for a seat behind home plate?   you know it does include waitress service right?  some people are just so ^&*()_+$%  cheap!     

[nh_mopar_fan]

So, they took a look at the car today.

No oil.

The filter is not on the car.

Last oil change was done on 3/1, 1800 miles ago.

I check the oil last weekend and it was not low and I didn't see any leaking on to the driveway.

Could a filter be loose enough to fall off without leaking? Could it go from tight enough not to leak to falling off in a day or two and a month after the oil change?

That makes no sense to me. It doesn't look like it was blown off, there's no evidence of the filter on there anywhere and I doubt that oil pump is cabable of doing it anyway.

Engine is toast. Anyone need any Sebring parts?

Opinions?

[dpm68]

Wow. I've heard of FRAMs bursting and such, but never disappearing - how strange. The filter is nowhere to be found? Was it loose? It must have been...but even with that, it should gush out after just a few spins out...

[472 R/T SE]

Who changed the oil?  I've heard of hand tight but that's ridiculous.

[nh_mopar_fan]

Been using them for years without issue.

But, does anyone really think the thing could be that loose and not leak over the course of a month and 1800 miles.

[The70RT]

If it never leaked before it blew off then you may have had an issue with the pressure valve in the oil pump. I had one split wide open from a piece of timing chain gear debris that somhow passed through the sump and jammed the valve closed. If it split in the side maybe the pressure caused it to propel and spin off if it wasn't real tight 

[nh_mopar_fan]

Update: The car is back at their shop as of last Wednesday. After I left their shop to make sure it was there, I went back to the stretch of highway where it all started and the filter was right there in the breakdown lane. Beat up from being hit but still holing some oil. The threads do not look great. Not a lot of bite there.

They want me to bring the filter to them so I am taking it over there tonight.

[472 R/T SE]

Update: The car is back at their shop as of last Wednesday. After I left their shop to make sure it was there, I went back to the stretch of highway where it all started and the filter was right there in the breakdown lane. Beat up from being hit but still holing some oil. The threads do not look great. Not a lot of bite there.

They want me to bring the filter to them so I am taking it over there tonight.

So what do you think it is?  Somebody that didn't like you and loosened the filter?    
Strange the filter stayed on for 1800 miles and then all of a sudden come off. 

[bigcountry]

Could it have been the wrong filter, or cross-threaded? 

[nh_mopar_fan]

Update.

I called yesterday (they've had the filter for a week). They said they took the filter that I brought back and it spun right on the car. But, then they called Chrysler and cross-referenced the Mopar P/N with the Fram P/N and then the Fram to their "Pronto" brand and the P/N does not match. 

I said, "So you put the wrong filter on the car?" and he responded that more than one filter will fit and engine. He said he would call me back.

Last night, I get the call.

"Looks like we're putting another motor in your car"

Me: "Uh, that's going to run some serious money..."

"Sure is..."

Me: "the book on the car is about $4500. Will it cost you more than taht to drop a motor in the car?"

"Oh yeah, much more..."

"Would you be agreeable to just paying me the book value on the car and we'll call it even?"

"Sure!"

cha-ching. (I already bought a new car and me getting $4500 for a car with 187K on it with a Maaco repaint and 4 separate accidents? Zero.)

[bakerhillpins]

Sounds like that worked out superb for you. 

I think its funny how problems tend to solve themselves sometimes. 

[Old Moparz]

Update.

I called yesterday (they've had the filter for a week). They said they took the filter that I brought back and it spun right on the car. But, then they called Chrysler and cross-referenced the Mopar P/N with the Fram P/N and then the Fram to their "Pronto" brand and the P/N does not match. 

I said, "So you put the wrong filter on the car?" and he responded that more than one filter will fit and engine. He said he would call me back.

Last night, I get the call.

"Looks like we're putting another motor in your car"

Me: "Uh, that's going to run some serious money..."

"Sure is..."

Me: "the book on the car is about $4500. Will it cost you more than taht to drop a motor in the car?"

"Oh yeah, much more..."

"Would you be agreeable to just paying me the book value on the car and we'll call it even?"

"Sure!"

cha-ching. (I already bought a new car and me getting $4500 for a car with 187K on it with a Maaco repaint and 4 separate accidents? Zero.)

That's great news. 

I don't know what's more amazing though, the fact that you didn't have to threaten anyone to get it taken care of, or that they called you back to tell you they were at fault.

[Ghoste]

Yeah, what Bob said.  Wow is the only word that comes to mind.

[The70RT]

Glad it worked out for you. I guess there are some honest John's out there still......amazing.