R28 Engine Replacement

[Banzai88]

Hi All,
I failed the R28 recall and my car is at Scott Robinson Dodge in Torrance, CA getting the engine replaced.
So far I'm very impressed with the Viper tech, John. He has been sending me pics during the process so I have a record of the work. I decided to share some of the pics and update as it moves along.

[swexlin]

Good pics. Good luck, and please let us know how the new engine is once you get some miles on it.

[ViperSmith]

I think this is the first "R28 failure" reported, congrats

Hope it gets sorted quickly!

[swexlin]

I think this is the first "R28 failure" reported, congrats

Hope it gets sorted quickly!

Harold, I think there was one other as well. It's in the long thread, I think......

[Banzai88]

Trans out, getting ready to pull old engine.

[edc]

I think that's great you're getting pictures like that. Id feel much more comfortable with something like that.

[Next Phase]

Looks like they are taking care of your baby!

I was secretly hoping that my car would get a replaced motor under the recall... but it has a 7 year 100k mile warranty, so I'm good to go for a few years.

[mikesax]

Shit happens!! Unfortunately things fail occasionally- people too- but when you here about the "care" some individuals or companies take to rectify a problem-that's really what good service and more importantly relationships are all about!! Sounds like you are in good hands- hope when you get "her" back she's "stronger" than ever!!

[Banzai88]

Old engine out.

[Stealth]

Looking good Ben!

Any add-ons in store since everything is out?

[7TH_SIGN]

Looks like they are really taking care of it. Very nice.

[Banzai88]

Looking good Ben!

Any add-ons in store since everything is out?

I thought about it but decided to keep it stock for warranty reasons.
Thanks

[Banzai88]

They said I need a new rear diff too! I guess I'm ok w that.

[Stealth]

Nice!

The engine, diff and tranny are truly beautiful parts!

[swexlin]

Yep, that's what my old diff looked like when I saw it out of the car. I'm guessing they drove it and heard some whine?

[One Viper Bite]

Woohoo!

That's my good friend, John Prosk! Best Viper Tech in the business! His attention to detail and service is unparalleled!

He and Scott Robinson have been cleaning up the mess that Cerritos and the previous owner of my car left in my hands. He's also the care taker of my 2008 Charger R/T.

I highly recommend everyone in SoCal take their cars to him. It's worth the drive!

[Banzai88]

Yep, that's what my old diff looked like when I saw it out of the car. I'm guessing they drove it and heard some whine?

They did say it was making noise but I thought it was normal gear noise. I'll see if there's any difference with the new one.

[Banzai88]

Woohoo!

That's my good friend, John Prosk! Best Viper Tech in the business! His attention to detail and service is unparalleled!

He and Scott Robinson have been cleaning up the mess that Cerritos and the previous owner of my car left in my hands. He's also the care taker of my 2008 Charger R/T.

I highly recommend everyone in SoCal take their cars to him. It's worth the drive!

Yes, I'm really impressed with John so far.

[swexlin]

They did say it was making noise but I thought it was normal gear noise. I'll see if there's any difference with the new one.

My new one is quiet.....so far.....

[AZTVR]

Ben,

Are they installing a new oil cooler also ? I'm just thinking about any metallic debris from the old engine ending up in there and wondering if that is replaced as a standard part of the r28 failure "repair" process.

[Vette2Viper]

Ben,

Are they installing a new oil cooler also ? I'm just thinking about any metallic debris from the old engine ending up in there and wondering if that is replaced as a standard part of the r28 failure "repair" process.

Oil cooler is part of the engine replacement. There is a separate sheet of instructions that's included with the engine that states that the oil cooler needs to be replaced with new engine or it could end up contaminated. When my engine was replaced I went to the dealer and they let me look at the new engine. We uncrated it and there are oil cooler lines and an oil cooler packaged separately within the crate.

[Banzai88]

New engine in.
They said it should be finished next week.

[Banzai88]

Ben,

Are they installing a new oil cooler also ? I'm just thinking about any metallic debris from the old engine ending up in there and wondering if that is replaced as a standard part of the r28 failure "repair" process.

Good question Jim.
Thanks for the answer vette2viper!

[ViperGeorge]

They should definitely replace the oil cooler and oil lines. Also make sure the tech does a TEC (Tooth Error Correction) relearn. This is required when you replace the engine. The PCM has to learn the specifics of the crank/flywheel.

[One Viper Bite]

They did say it was making noise but I thought it was normal gear noise. I'll see if there's any difference with the new one.

When I purchased mine, the rear diff also made a slight gear noise. I thought it was normal. However, over the course of 2,000 or so miles, the whine got louder and louder, up to the point of it being deafening in the cabin and it was present in any gear, at any speed and any RPM. It was clunking and grinding and puking fluid by the time I finally got it in to John. All he had to do was drive it through the service lane and the shop to know that the rear diff was completely shot.

Sure enough, when he pulled it out, the gears were eating themselves alive and there were metal shavings in the case. After he replaced mine, I was so surprised with how quiet it was because I had purchased the car with the already present whine. 1,600 miles into the new diff and it's still completely quiet.

Just make sure you break it in properly over 500 or so miles. It will be hard not to get on it, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Glad you're happy with John's work and service! Ask him about Brian's car next time you see him so he can tell you the horror stories he has uncovered with my car.