I just picked up a 2008 Avenger with the 2.4 VVT engine. Pretty clean car, other than the typical bubbles on the hood leading edge. Car has about 200K highway miles on it - owner was pretty anal about regular oil changes, etc. Any Mopar techs have any info as to the recommended engine mechanical maintenance on them? I know the PT Loser 2.4's needed the typical timing belt/water pump/head gasket/head bolt service at about 125K - what about the 2.4 VVT engines? Do they need the same sarvices at "X" miles? Thanks for any info you can provide about the driveline of these cars.

I ran one in a Caliber which is cousin to the avenger. Traded around 165k and ran as new. I checked with the dealer on timing belt since the owners manual was not clear. Timing chain on my engine and no belt change required.

I changed the oil, filters and plugs and nothing else. Seems like a very solid engine.

The car was pretty solid as well. Struts, one control arm (bushings shot) and sway bar links around 100k and nothing else beyond basic maintenance.

Mine had a manual transmission which much preferred redline MTL lube vs the recommended ATF + 4.

We bought our '08 Avenger (SXT with 2.4L, not sure if it's the same 2.4 as you have) brand new and have a lifetime warranty as well as lifetime max care on it. To me, it's worth going to the dealer and telling them to do what it needs. I've only replaced plugs on it, trans flush, and coolant flush as far as I can remember. The hood does rust for some reason on that year. We had it replaced under the warranty once, but the replacement is doing the same thing. It also has some rust forming around the lower door edges. I think that's from Michigan winters and not wiping the door jambs as often as I should to get the salt out of there. Other areas were wheel hubs and starter went. But those were replaced for $100 each under max care. We just hit 100k on it.

Do not neglect oil changes in this engine and use a factory filter. While the previous non GDI engines don't have any where near the issues that the GDI engine has there can be issues with it. This is the same basic engine (albeit in non GDI form) that Hyundai has recalled in the 2011-12 Sonata and soon to include 2013-16 Sonata's, 2012-2014 Santa Fe's and Tuscon's. Probably more to come.

Well, if they went to a timing chain setup, I wonder about tensioner or guide issues? And still haven't heard about the head gaskets - replace at "X" miles, or run it until it blows coolant out. I'm just trying to get a feel for what this particular engine type needs. It would just be easier to do any repairs now before I sell my other car.

There are no timing chain, tensioner or guide issues I have ever seen. No head gasket issues either. Once in awhile the cam phasers get worn but the real issue is the rod bearings. I've heard different stories about the cause of failure and quite frankly they don't all match the evidence that I see.

Thanks. I know high mileage cars are a crap-shoot - was just trying to decide if I should do some preventative service on it before I sell my other car.

My 08 Avenger SXT required nothing. I just did routine maintenance and that is all it asked for! Actually a really great car!