The Gen V Engine Failure Thread

[Viper Girl]

After several threads about engine failures in Gen V Vipers, I put together a form to collect as much data as we possibly can looking for the reason for the majority of engine failures in the early Gen V Vipers. We've seen failures from 2013 thru mid 2015. Mileages so far vary from 6 miles to 13,000 miles. Once theres enough data we'll look for a meaningful pattern, whether its Low Oil, or Machining debris or something we don't know yet...

I am not going to release VIN numbers even though the form asks for the VIN. Once a range of data or a meaningful pattern emerges, it will likely be listed by build date.


Also there seems to be a lot of difficulty checking the oil levels on the dipsticks. So far I have talked to 2 Viper techs, both said read the stick once, after the car has sat overnight on flat level ground.

DON'T wipe the stick and re-insert it then read again. Apparently there's oil drag on the tube walls that throws off the reading. Read the dipstick one time, cold that is your accurate reading

The safe range checkered area is 2 qts, look for a straight solid oil line across the top line of the SAFE checkered area on the dipstick. IF you see any peaks or valleys of oil on the stick your reading probably isn't accurate.

We have an older thread here that goes into great detail about Accurately Checking Oil Levels

If you are going to change your own oil, there's a lot of helpful info, and photos in this thread Race Ramps for Oil Change


Gen V Engine Failure Form Instructions:

Only fill out the form ONLY IF your engine has failed, or if you have been notified by Chrysler that your engine will be replaced. IF your engine is running strong GREAT! Please don't fill in the form

You can find the form in the short link below, all of the data collected goes into a spreadsheet automatically. We already have some data coming in, so hopefully this doesn't take long to figure out.


EDIT: Form removed due to lack of participation 7/17/16

Thanks

[BJG32]

Is this survey troll proof? Any way to ensure no bogus lurker data? Just thinking out loud....

Will enter my info asap

[Viper Girl]

Is anything troll proof on a forum???

I think if we get a bunch of whack data, I'll ask Viper Jeff if he will help me validate against his registry...

[G37Sam]

I think you'd get a lot more responses if you did not mandate VIN entry.

[swexlin]

Thanks for doing this.

[viper04]

Thanks for doing this.

+1, Hope to fine some good info on this.

[Viper Girl]

I think you'd get a lot more responses if you did not mandate VIN entry.

Ok I took off the VIN requirement, the space is still there, but its not required to complete the form.

[Jdmuscle]

Thanks Viper girl.. You've mentioned the problems existed mid way through MY15.. Any documented failures so far for MY15?

[Viper Girl]

I don't have data on that '15 Viper, I believe I read it on the forums here.

From the research I've done so far, the plant got a new machine to clean the blocks again, before assembly in mid 2015. Prior to that, the block was cleaned only by the block manufacturer.
I've also heard that some MY' 14 have opened up their original oil filter to find some curly metal slivers in there... if you have your original oil filter it might be a good thing to check.

[KB Viper]

i'm trying to submit the form but don't have the build date or that particular viper anymore. what date do you suggest i use? can i get the info from the vin which i have?

[F2V]

VG, replied in full today, sorry for delay.

[SADVIPER]

Great work, thanks.

[dasvolk]

Replied yesterday.

[TAMPA-G5]

I have engine failure at 3,300 miles threw a rod bearing in my 2014 viper I tried to fill out the form but as I don't have my car I don't have all the information.

[Rosie]

I am aware of a club member that lost a motor in a 2013 Launch edition,apparrently he was in heavy traffic on a steep incline for some period of time.The motor spun the #8 rod bearing.The motor has since been replaced under warrenty at a local dealership.I don`t know if his new engine came from Arrow or from Dodge?

[swexlin]

I am aware of a club member that lost a motor in a 2013 Launch edition,apparrently he was in heavy traffic on a steep incline for some period of time.The motor spun the #8 rod bearing.The motor has since been replaced under warrenty at a local dealership.I don`t know if his new engine came from Arrow or from Dodge?

Not good. Does he post here? If not, please ask him to sign up and chime in. Thank you.

[zee]

is there an area to see all the data for any trends?

[keeptrying56]

I would like to see the data as well.

[BAD BEAR]

i would like to see the data as well.

ditto.

[Fatboy 18]

For those that have submitted data, has a pattern formed yet or are these random issues, of course the Company would know but wonder if any of you have had any feedback?

[Viper Girl]

I never got enough data reporting to see a pattern... I'm going to take the thread off sticky, and remove the link...

[Dr.Ron]

How many failures (data) were reported that you're aware of Viper Girl? And thanks for trying to put this together!

Ron

[Terminator02]

I never got enough data reporting to see a pattern... I'm going to take the thread off sticky, and remove the link...

The thread is still on sticky Btw. Given new threads that emerged did you gather anything you can mention, like number of reported failures?

[Viper Girl]

I had 5 responses, no patterns... At the time we knew of 40+ cars, most were 2013 models... if more had responded we might have gotten a clearer picture on those cars.

2014 - 4261 mi - failure type: rod bearing- Comments: Oil had not been changed from new. Car may have had low oil, but no official diagnosis had been made. Oil level had not been brought up by anyone but I would not be surprised if it was low, however a light did not illuminate and pressure did not drop.

2013 - 800 mi - failure type: machining Debris: Engine didn't fail - Was Notified by Chrysler they are going to replace. Car would not stay started during cold start, due to low oil pressure, caused by machined debris clogging the pressure relief valve, thereby restricting oil flow. I was told that if this happened while riding under full power, the engine would have had critical failure. The car has run perfect since, however damage was found to the cam and cam journals, at 6100 miles (the result of above) during H&C upgrade at WMD. Chrysler authorized a new engine.

2013 - 384 mi- failure type: Valve Train - Failure at idle when valve spring broke dropping valve into cyl.

2014- 3500 mi- failure type: Rod Bearing

2013 - 6 mi - failure type: Machining debris - Car never had a oil change. Went for the cars first ride and just after one mile the car made a horrific screeching sound and that was the end.

[luvboost]

holy crap, was contemplating a gen V. Any other developments on this? Everywhere I read seems like machining debris outside of a couple specific cases that don't seem to relate to a manufacturer issue. Just my .02 though, nothing solid