Chrysler 300M

ed12 · February 2003

Any thoughts about fuel injector cleaner?

Thanx

Ed

easyrider300m · February 2003

are the heads made of aluminum of Cast iron?---I hear aluminum heads could warp more easily if engine overheats...

lonestarsled · February 2003

The heads are made of aluminum also. I have never heard of an engine with cast iron heads on an aluminum block. Although it is not unsual to have aluminum heads on a cast iron block. More than likely the info you heard was related to aluminum heads on cast iron blocks, warping due to the dissimilar metals.

Here is some additional info:

http://www.autofieldguide.com/articles/069802.html

lonestarsled · February 2003

Check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item- =2403122969&category=6175

indydriver · February 2003

Yeah, I let 'em do it as part of their jacked-up 30,000 mile service package (twice). The third 30,000 mile service I said, "No.". I noticed no difference when I had it done and no difference when I skipped it so, maybe someone else who knows all the pitfalls of dirty injectors can make the case that this is essential preventative maintenance, but from my experience, it looks like just a profit adder for the dealers.

indydriver · February 2003

You said, "I haven't even changed the two belts but plan to do so at 70K". I asked my dealer to do this as it is recommended in the owner's manual somewhere around 90-100K and was told that it didn't need it. I was surprised they turned down the opportunity to do the extra work. I hope they were right...I'd hate to lose a pump (or worse) cause the damn belt breaks. Do you (or anyone else) have any input on these belts?

pster · February 2003

Some things should just be illegal because they smear and label an entire sect of society, namely 300M owners, a metamucil chuggers.

kosh_2258 · February 2003

"Limited Edition" Is that a promise or a hope?

At least this one (unlike the last we saw) has a clean engine compartment.
Remember that last one where the engine was buried under a layer of dust about an 1" thick?

kosh_2258 · February 2003

There is no change in the 2004 M. In the first part of 2004 (year) a replacement for the 300M will hit the streets.
There still isn't much known about it except that it will be rear wheel drive and have a different look. The buzz says the letter version will be 300N and have the new DCX Hemi under the hood.

It's rumored that a lightly disguised version of it will be shown at the New York autoshow in April.

We are all waiting to see the outcome.

300michael · February 2003

If you buy major brands, of gasoline, they put detrugent in them. So it should not be needed. Tecron is susposed to be the best. You could try a bottle of it and it would be far less expensive.

300michael · February 2003

I plan on changeing my belts next year when the car hits 5. The car is running great (probably because it still has the same transmission fluid (never changed)).

300michael · February 2003

Why don't they just have the whole car covered with the cloth, while they are at it. No more paint chips and door dings. Just runs and tares.

300michael · February 2003

On March 28th for the Mopar's at the strip?

beach15 · February 2003

I was at the Baltimore Auto Show yesterday and got a chance to crawl around a fully loaded new '03 Brilliant Black 300M Special with full Slate leather. I must say, very, very nice and one of the better cars in my memory from the day. Actually, a lot of it reminded me of how our Slate '00 felt, except there was no crappy fake wood. Really loved the look and it was attracting a good deal of attention. More so, it seemed that a lot of women were very interested in it, especially inside. The men were more curious about the "Special" badges and looking at the duals, and I kept hearing people saying "Special, I've never heard of it. It's really nice!". Boy, if they could just have a Rep. with keys to start it up and give it a little rev, they'd have really drawn crowds.

They also had a "base" silver 300M with Slate leather, chrome wheels, Lux. Group, and a few other goodies. It was pretty much lonely and not attracting as much attention as the Special. Looked great though, except for the fact that the rear headrests are gone. Other than that, NICE!

The biggest crowd was, of course, near the new Hummer H2. I really wanted to sit in it, but I guess touching a door panel and looking at the wheel was good enough. The saddest sight of all was the Mercury Marauder. It was sitting there on a spinning platform, gorgeous and shimmering black, without a single person even within 10 feet of it. I was the only one for a while to go up and even look at the thing. The BMW's and Mini's also drew rave crowds.

Hmm, if I didn't already want a car, I really want one now!

bluesky999 · February 2003

Indy,
According to the service manual, the 2 external belts that you see when you lift the hood should be replaced at 50K. Those rubber belts deteriorate over time--if you had a 60K service done they should have changed them. The engine TIMING belt (or chain, I forget which the 'M has) is supposed to be replaced at 100K. You can't see it as it is internal. This is recommended by Chrysler, and if your service department says not to do it that would be very unusual. Perhaps they were referring to the 2 external belts which can be visually inspected.

Lonestar, thx for the correction. I think what I had read, before my memory garbled it up, was the Chrysler decided on Iron cylinder liners for durability, rather than whatever some of the competition was using (perhaps lighter alloy ones?). Sorry for the misinformation.

bluesky999 · February 2003

I have heard that the "super" grades of gasoline sometimes have better/more detergent in them. An obvious example was Mobil's super unleaded, for which they used to have and ad campaign touting the advanced cleaning properties it had. So although I run regular unleaded on a day to day basis, I occasionally fill it up with Mobil or Exxon Super hoping that has some cleaning effect. But on my last car, which I kept for 150K miles, I ran regular all the time and the fuel injectors were still fine when I donated it, so it seems they're pretty durable. Then again, I'm no mechanic!

cebteb · February 2003

Louvers - Good idea from the past for a car with a heck of a back window slope and area. I almost put them on my '85 300ZX Turbo, but they added too much weight to the hatch back. No such problem w/ the 300M.

Mustang - Apparently Ford is running out of new design ideas. That 'stang looks like a '60s model w/ gaint wheels, how boring! And what's w/ giant wheels on everything now? More retro? Reminds me of my first car's wheels, a '41 Plymouth, except that the tires are now low profile.

Manual cleanout of the fuel injectors is a good service if you need it. Our '99 300M was driving very sluggish a few months ago w/ 20K on it. I changed the air filter and it helped a little. The dealership claimed they saw buildup beyond the air cleaner and talked us into the FI cleaning. All the power came back! My wife is the primary driver and her commute is only a 5 mile round trip. She doesn't push the car, so it wasn't cleaning itself very well. I plan to regularly add some Castrol engine cleaner in the future. That stuff worked well in my '91 S-10 Blazer. We burn mid-grade Amaco and Phillips in the 300M, although mid-grade here in metro-Denver is only 87 octane. BTW, some of the early multi-port FI cars like my '85 300ZX need a manual cleaning of the FI ports about every 25K miles.

fastdriver · February 2003

beach15-

I'm getting ready to make that appointment for you! :-)))))))))))))

MORE snow on the way! UGH!! Leaving for sunny FL on Friday IF it doesn't snow again! Maybe I'll even get to see some clean cars! ;-))

Bet the Chrysler dealer in West Palm has some of those "cloth covered" 300's too! They had one a while back. Looks just as bad in person as it does in the pics we saw here!

fastdriver

beach15 · February 2003

I know, I know...but it wasn't the BEST car at the show...

I tried out the new Acuras, of course. An elderly couple wouldn't get out of the silver CL, so I could only get in the TL they had. Lovely interior and very comfortable and well built, but one of the most boring designs of all time...not that looks are everything though. Also sat in a new $45k RL. Really nice car and roomy, but not $45k nice--though I'm sure they give big discounts. Out of everything, I forgot one display--Honda! I really wanted to see and try them out, but somehow skipped over them (and Mazda, too...)

300michael · February 2003

I was hopeing for the Mustang III type design. The one thay came out with was a real disappointment.

laurasdada · February 2003

I was treated to the "light show" in my '99 M with 44,000 miles this eve. A simple twist of the rheostat cured it, as it has in the past. Hopefully, the switch isn't going...

Yup, after ~14" of the lightest, fluffiest snow I've seen in years here south of Boston, we're getting (a rumored) 3-6" today. Beautiful, ain't it? My M continues to do well in the snow, but with 44k on the oem Goodyears, the TC is kicking in more and more. Decisions, decisions: do I spend $$$ on 4 new tires or is it getting to be time for a new car? Love my M, but I'm getting the itch...

A number of cars on my list (none I can really afford of course, but shopping is free!):

MB E320
Infiniti G35/Coupe
Infiniti FX35 (More likely than the RWDs. Snow, ya know)
Saab 9-3 (Arc or Vector. Always been a Saab-guy)
BMW 330ci
Audi A4
Lexus SC430 (Yeah, now there's a great snow car!)

We're heading to Florida next week, too. I may go night skiing Thursday which will make a lovely contrast: 0 degrees to 75 degrees in 48 hours! Actually, that could happen right here in New England!

'night, all.

ottowrkr · February 2003

Hey . you will never guess what we built today , a bunch of 300M's with sat. radio and now get this with built in NAV system . Really cool looking . Man I sure wish I had my camera to take a pic. I think it was alpine unit as it used an Alpine CD that was in the glovebox to get it working ;-). for some reason when I turned it on it showed a map of downtown L.A . I wish , we could use a little warmth up here.

Also guess whos coming to the plant Wed.... D.Zetsche himself . It's his first visit to our plant . Maybe they will show us some pics of the new cars .

hayneldan · February 2003

Thanks Otto for the help on this board and others. Removed the drivers headlight by removing only 2 jackscrews from the top with the hood open.(sorry 300M guys)Tightened the clamp on the trans hose to the radiator it was really loose, took a full turn to tighten. I cleaned the dripped fluid off with brake clean, so far so good no leaks.This is something all LH owners should be aware of.

ajpiii · February 2003

I was wondering where they put the screen for the nav system ? Im looking to add another monitor just for nav and might as well copy the factory guys...

cmyers300m · February 2003

Go to the DC website under 'owners', then go to accessories. You can look at the new navigation system there, and the satellite radio as well. I ordered my sirus DC satellite system already for my '01 M. It's total plug -n- play to the existing DC radio....I can't wait!
However, I noticed the new navigation system is only available for 2002 and newer....I'm bummed.
The navagation system replaces your existing head unit...it looks pretty cool for $1500.

300michael · February 2003

pster · February 2003

Micheal and Russ, we're famous. See "Me and My Car" in Personal Journal section of todays Wall Street Journal. For the record, I am not 53 and I don't golf.

kosh_2258 · February 2003

Hey Otto!

We'll be expecting a full report on Herr Doctor Zetsches visit. Dish us all da dirt!

ottowrkr · February 2003

Bad news , woke up sicker than a dog today . Never made it in to work. I was looking forward to his speech. I will talk to one of my buddies who got to have lunch with him today, maybe he can fill me in. I will let you know.

uxca300m · February 2003

You gotta stay out of Hooters in Brampton at night or cut down on your beer consumption.
then you'll feel fine in the morning

Mike (uxca300m)

bigmike5 · February 2003

Probably got a bad LaBatts. Stay with the Moosehead.

The Prez has asked me to host the Woodward Dream Cruise event for the Club. I sent Terry Desjardins an e-mail asking to get the plant tour on the 18th of Aug. If that is a go, may need your help on a restaurant choice in Brampton for Sunday the 17th. I liked the place we went to last year but you may have other thoughts. I am hoping that if all goes well we will have 40 or so for the Brampton end of things.

Wasn't there a car show somewhere up there on the way to Brampton last year on that Sunday. I think so, because I thought about deviating off the route to go to it. I wonder if it would be going at the same time again this year?

fastdriver · February 2003

Well, I guess if they're not going to build that drop-dead 300 convertible that they've been teasing everyone with for years........ this will do? ;-))

http://info.detnews.com/autosinsider/sneakpeek/index.cfm

fastdriver

kosh_2258 · February 2003

That is the question. And the answer is probably not with a drop top Crossfire in the wings.

The Crossfire is apparently going to be the "halo" car for Chrysler. Why am I not surprised by this in as much as the Crossfire is almost pure German (read MB) save for the styling done here.

From my latest visit to Allpar, it appears that the powers over on the other side of the "pond" were seriously considering killing the Dodge brand too, but backed off when they finally figured out that Dodge represents the bulk of Chrysler sales. DUH!

The more I read, the more I hope Kerkorian is successful in his efforts to unravel the "merger of equals".

fastdriver · February 2003

kosh_2258-

LOL.... AMEN!!!

fastdriver

pster · February 2003

The convertible is obviously going to be very, very pricey if it is being built in Germany. German labor is probably the most expensive in the world. They must be doing this until they can free up or build capacity in North America.

ottowrkr · February 2003

http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0302/14/autos-85317.htm

wire2 · February 2003

It's been on a TSB for a long time already. I had my '01 M in just last week to have them replaced. And that's the only reason I've been back to the dealer since I got the car in Aug, '01, touch wood, (places hand on temple)

uxca300m · February 2003

I also have a 2001 M and am concerned that if there is a TSB on the seat bolts I want to get mine fixed . But the thrid or so paragrah shown below from the artical only refers to 1998 ? to 2000 model years. So is the 2001 affected or not. You said you got your 2001M fixed under the TSB but the artical doesn't mention the 2001 ?

Mike (uxca300m)

The automaker said it was recalling some 1.2 million of its Chrysler
                    LHS, 300M and Concorde models as well as the Dodge Intrepid to install stronger bolts on the
                    driver's seat.
                    The model years involved are 1998 to 2002. The recall includes 1.06 million cars in the United States
                    and 135,000 in Canada.
                    A company investigation determined the seat-recliner bolts attached to the seat frame may loosen
                    because of premature wear. Chrysler will replace the existing bolts. For 1998-2000 vehicles with
                    power seats, a replacement flex-shaft also will be installed.

indydriver · February 2003

a couple of years ago. Rather than replacing with OEM parts, the dealer installed a common hardware bolt and solved the problem for a few bucks.

pster · February 2003

AC Compressor failed at 51K miles today. Clutch apparently locked up, causing belt to burn and smoke like the funeral pyres in Bombay. Sounded like the car was hit by a cruise missile.....compressor kaput. Another $700 (seems everything costs $700 to fix...what gives?). Now approaching $4000 in repairs at 51k miles. My doctor thinks I must be schizo if I still like this car. He's worried. He says he might prescrible Prozac/Nyquil cocktail. Funny thing, Chrysler's warranty costs down 20%, but customer repairs after 36K have to be rising if I am anything close to the norm.

wire2 · February 2003

Uxca, the TSB should cover all years. I mentioned the problem to one of the techs at Milton Chrysler, he looked up the TSB and then ordered the replacement bolts from parts. I know the guys in there but I don't think they bent the rules for me on this one.

300michael · February 2003

It is going to be a big mistake on there part, if the Crossfire is going to try to take the place of the HemiC.

300michael · February 2003

All I can say is "It is about time!!!!".

bluesky999 · February 2003

While driving home Wednesday in traffic, the seat back in my '99 M (68.5K miles) suddenly started reclining backward. It was rather disconcerting, to say the least, particularly since my back was "out" this week. Anyway, brought it in to 5*, they took 1/2 hour w/car this a.m. and charge $90 for the checkup. I guess they hooked it to one of the diagnostic computers, which I guess is always extravagant w/all cars. Anyway, they said I needed a new memory seat control module, if I'm remembering it correctly. I believe the part costs $140 if I'm not mistaken. Are these charges in the "reasonable" range? The svc mgr said it was in Cleveland, and would take about 4 days to arrive. Funny thing is, the 7/75K extended warranty covers power seat motors, and a number of the electronic control modules, but not this one. I thought all the major electronic parts were covered, but evidently not all--I'm a bit discouraged by that.

WHile there, I mentioned that I get the "light show" in mixed/low light conditions. The servc mgr asked me if I had the EZPass transponder mounted by my rear view mirror. I said "yes", as that is where almost everyone here in the NorthEast mounts it. He said that the sensor for the dash lights was in the rear view mirror, and that the EZpass transponder would throw it off, and that there was a TSB regarding this. So I'm taking his advice and am going to drive w/o the EZPass in place, and see if that causes the light show to go away. I also have a parking related plastic item hanging from that mirror, which might also be affecting the sensor. But, still happy w/my 1st used car purchase, anyway.

Car hit 4 years old this month, and I still have orignial battery (eye is deep green indicating it's fine). Will have belts replaced (not timing but external) next weekend, when get new memory seat module (was supposed to replace at 50K so evidently they can last longer than that). Am particularly pleased that the brakes go quite a while w/o needing servicing, and that the wear can be seen w/o even taking the wheels off--that's a great thing IMO. My previous Buick, though quite reliable, was always needing a brake job. Just my 2 cents.

gary_berg · February 2003

This would happen to fit the recall that Chrysler just announced for some bad bolts, would it? It just sounds like what I read about the recall announced Thursday or Friday.

http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0302/14/autos-85317.htm

indydriver · February 2003

If you can get anything electronic diagnosed and fixed for <$300 P&L, I'd say you're doing OK. By the way, I had an extended warranty too (since expired) and had to have my entire front sway bar assembly replaced due to a broken bushing. This too was not technically covered by the extended warranty. But my FIVE STAR! called Chrysler and got them to agree to cover this $600 repair for the extended warranty's $100 deductible. How's that for a great dealer! Anyway, I relay that story to give you another angle to try....you know the drill, "I've been a loyal customer, had all my service work done here, even bought an extended warranty...how about giving Chrysler a call and see if they'll help out?"

bluesky999 · February 2003

Indy, I never thought of trying the "loyal customer" argument w/Chrysler. I'll keep that in mind. However, at this point I've only had the car for 19K (bought it used) and have not used them much. For example, had local garage change tranny fluid. Since I am using them extensively in this round, next time I'll keep a little "payback" in mind. It certainly can't hurt to try. Sorry you've had so much trouble with your 'M. I would expect that from a first year model (i.e. early build '99) but not a later model like yours. It almost sounds like some of DMC's parts suppliers are not up to acceptable standards.

Gary, thx for mentioning the bolts, but as best I can tell it's unrelated to the power seat motor activation I'm experiencing. As a temporary fix until next week, we pulled out the circuit breaker (it's located to the left of the dash) so the seat can't move until I bring it in to get the module changed. So at least the car is driveable.

beespecial · February 2003

Today as I was starting to shovel the snow from my driveway (yet again) I noticed red drops spaced about 8 feet apart running the length of the driveway. I had an oil seal start leaking at 1.5k and my 5* fixed it right up under warranty. No questions, no problems. Now, I'm seeing what I suspect to be yet another leak only this time I think it's trans fluid. I will be taking her in while screaming "Warranty!" and I will expect this problem to be resolved at no cost too. But I'm starting to wonder if the engine and drivetrain was put together with Elmer's glue?

illini4 · February 2003

Probably a loose hose clamp at trans cooler (radiator). Reported by a few others.

dj300ms · February 2003

I had the same problem on my 02 Special...leak at the oil clamp on transmission oil cooler. 5 Star said they had seen a few..which means its not an uncommmon problem.

Chrysler 300M

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