Appalachian Journey

I have an 09 with the 2.4L and 4 speed with 195,000+ miles. It still feels tight and is rattle free. The brake rotors are undersized and get replaced when the pads are spent. I believe larger rotors became standard a couple model years in. The engine front seal leaked slightly and was repaired under warranty. Spade connector on starter corroded causing intermittent no starts. Alternator clutch pulley replaced at high mileage. I may be forgetting something but nothing major. So, not much in 11 years and eight laps around the Earth. Trans fluid and filter changed at 120,000 miles. That's it. Shifts sames as new. I haven't towed with mine. I have many times traveled in it with three other adults and luggage and it isn't great. Or good. Depends on what you are used to. Stomping the gas on on-ramps or when at cruising speed produces more noise than thrust. It'll get there, but it'll take a minute. Around town and on back roads 45 mph and below it's powerful enough and quiet enough and the ride is smooth. I don't believe the Tigershark engine is used in the Journey. I've said on this forum I wouldn't buy another with a 4 cylinder and that hasn't changed. It's hilly where I live and mountainous where I travel. I like the car, it's just the engine isn't a good fit for me. But you may like it and that's what matters. Load up the family, put some weight in the back and take a long test drive.

Consumer Reports says the Journey is "worse" and their survey takers give it a 1 out of 5. They even provide a bar graph showing that 1 is less than 5. So, you must be mistaken.

What's next for you? Another Journey or FCA product? I'm considering the Aventador, but only if I can get the payments down to $1,000 a month. I won't finance a car longer than 30 years. Chevy Bolt. I think owning an EV would be different, fun. I have other cars for long trips or forgot to charge days. Chevy Volt. Less likely but on the list. Going the other direction FCA still offers a couple oldies but goodies I'll look at. What's on your list?

I'm thinking about buying a Volt. How about a new post about your buying and ownership experience? Maybe in the Lounge.

Not a fan of Rain-X. Causes rapidly vanishing but annoying streaks about an inch behind the blade as it wipes.

Engine mounts?

Nearing 200,000 on my 09 SE with few issues. The 2.4 is a bad fit. I'd buy another Journey, but not one with a 4 cylinder.

Deep into February and no 2020 Journey or Grand Caravan offered on Dodge website. May be curtains for both.

Mine took a tad over 4 quarts. Purolator filter, Mopar ATF+4 fluid, Mopar MS-GF41B RTV. For whatever reason fluid leaked past the RTV so I cleaned it off and used a Felpro TOS 18687 gasket. No leaks 70,000 miles later. Easy job this.

Merry Christmas 2019.

Perhaps it's because CAFE standards go up in 2020 and the Dart is no longer there to lower the average. I own a 4 cylinder Journey and it has been a good car but I wouldn't buy another or recommend it. The V6 Journey made my next car in a couple of years short list. Oh well.

Displaying every post in new content looks messy. Showing only new topics with last post date and time would be nice.

That old Chevy yours?

Have a shop do a parasitic draw test.

Remove the floor mats and park the car for the day in a sunny spot with the windows down a half- inch. Mopar 82211727AB is a less seen 19" wheel.

Low fuel light on?

netcarshow.com/chrysler/2017-pacifica/

Yes, unless some fluid is first removed from the reservoir or the bleeder screws are opened when retracting the pistons.

Years ago I was getting a brake warning when the nose of my car was steeply down but not when steeply up. The fluid level was just above the bottom mark on the reservoir and I suspected it was traveling off the sensor enough to trigger the warning. Inspected for leaks, topped off the fluid, drove the same steep route, no more warnings. I maintain the level near the full mark.

If no Dodge retrofit is available a wheelchair van conversion shop may offer a solution.

Perhaps the master cylinder reservoir has just enough brake fluid to cover the fluid level sensor and when you stop hard the sensor is momentarily exposed triggering the chime/light. The level in the reservoir will lower as the pads wear. Try filling the reservoir to the full mark.

Advance Auto Parts and other parts stores will test your battery and charging system for free. I'd start there.

Both alternative sizes have a wider tread. Generally a wider tire will tend to hydroplane more.

Disconnecting and cleaning all wire connections on the starter cured my 09 2.4l of the clicking/no start issue. I used a small wire brush and a piece sandpaper and brushed on dielectric grease after tightening. Been two, maybe three years.

I have a 2009 SE. The instrument cluster looks Plymouth Horizon and the seat bottoms could use more padding but the rest is okay. It's durable.