We (wife & I) currently have two vehicles with the 3.6L "Pentastar" V-6 engine. They are impressive as hell - lots of power, smooth, solid, & they do well on mileage. I have read & heard they are a "world-class" engine. I have also read where Chrysler brought vehicles in from various fleets where they had compiled over 500,000 miles on vehicles in some cases, & disassembled the engines & found them to show almost no wear internally.

That being said, the motors are reputed to be plagued with top-end issues - issues with the overhead cams, rockers, lifters, & roller bearings. After watching these videos, it looks like the problem centers around the roller bearings. My 2016 300 has noise on cold starts (sounds like a solid lifter engine) & it will last for a good 10 minutes, but once the engine is up to temp, the noise will subside. I recently had a dealer evaluate this since I'm still under drivetrain warranty, & the tech said everything sounded fine. My question is this, after watching these videos, HOW can some of these components fail, while others not fail? I'd assume they are all built to the same tolerances, & many of the engine components are coming from the same vendors. I have not heard about improved components dated after xxx or anything like that, or using an aftermarket replacement part that is better than the factory component. I have not heard from anybody a theory on why some of these engines are affected, & others not. Could it be due to oil change intervals? Any theories or first-hand knowledge?

Check these out: https://youtu.be/248MoyxigKQ

https://youtu.be/XkrwxVVcjsg

We have a '17Pacifica. After 70,000 miles, #5 started leaking A-freeze. Took about 3 wks to get one, tech breaks off a bolt in that head reassembling, so off it came after waiting that long, then it's another 3 wks to get another.

I've owned Chryslers that I've extremely overheaded, abused, paid virtually no money for. Only one in my 50 yrs of ownership that I"ve had to take the motor apart.

I will agree it a runnin' son of a gun though.

I have one in my 2014 300. It is impressive for such a small engine. Part of the credit though has to go to the 8spd ZF transmission. It would not do nearly as good a job on a 4,000 lb plus vehicle without the gearing.

Did yours ever develop the oil filter housing leak? I'm on my 3rd 300 - first one was a 2012, then a 2014, & my current one is the '16. The 2012 developed the oil filter housing leak - this is VERY COMMON. It was covered under the drivetrain warranty luckily.

I also got this feedback from my Challenger dealer in PA. earlier today about the 3.6L: Sounds like a hit or miss case to me. We have traded a few 3.6’s with over 250000 miles that have never been opened up or any issues.

Brant J Schroyer
General Manager
Laurel Valley Motors

Did yours ever develop the oil filter housing leak? I'm on my 3rd 300 - first one was a 2012, then a 2014, & my current one is the '16. The 2012 developed the oil filter housing leak - this is VERY COMMON. It was covered under the drivetrain warranty luckily.

I also got this feedback from my Challenger dealer in PA. earlier today about the 3.6L: Sounds like a hit or miss case to me. We have traded a few 3.6’s with over 250000 miles that have never been opened up or any issues.

Brant J Schroyer
General Manager
Laurel Valley Motors

I fixed a 3.6 for my friends son. Just over 100,000. Every oil change was done at the dealer. Started ticking from the upper end. It ate the needle bearings in one cam follower. I slipped a follower in. Been fine ever since. That's the only one that I've known personally to have aby issue. My Caravan runs great
Doug