Nicho Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 I will try to do this in depth that I can and without writing a book. I need some help..guidance, suggestions. Anything! We are at a total loss of where to move to next. So run down. 2011 Dodge Journey crew has intermittent misfires. This problem has been a year now Have had it at several mechanics and cant find anything. We have : - Changed the plugs - Swapped injectors - Checked all wires - Changed the batteries. - Pressure tests - Leak down tests Now some things of note: - Car only acts up at 3/4 tank of fuel. - Misfires, stutters, tries to stall but doesn't stall. (Low RPMS) - Recent - Hard start, white smoke when fires. - Will feel like a fuel surge but that goes away after driving a bit. - Codes have been P0300, P0172, P0175. -Misfires on left cylinders. (Passed leak down test so was told its not the left cylinder head) I have been told they cant figure out and maybe its time for a new car. I dont want a new car. I love my journey If anyone has suggestions on what to check or what to do .. please we are desperate. Thank you in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5rebel9 Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 General misfire(P0300), BOTH banks rich(too much fuel not enough air P0172 and P0175). What engine, the 3.6? How many miles on the car? Check the MAP sensor A lot of things can be going on here, Including a possible intake manifold vacuum leak(upper or lower or both) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicho Posted October 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 I knew I would miss some details. Firs time posting.. sorry It is the 3.6 litre engine. There is about 175,000 kms on it. Haven't checked the map sensor. But I will add that to the list. 2late4u 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 what about the coils,, .have they been replaced which eng assuming the 3.6? how many miles on the engine? might be cheaper to replace the eng with a good used one if no cause can be found... has the journey been worked on by the dodge dealership as they would know what is wrong more than a local mechanic, please post back with your end results as well good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicho Posted October 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 The coils I believe were checked by the dodge dealer. The issue I have been having always stopped by the time I could get it to a dealer. Until I realized it happens at 3/4 of a tank and managed to get it to my mechanic just before it acted up so he could get a good reading on it. Yes its been to a dodge mechanic and currently with my brother who was a dodge mechanic for 15 plus years. I wanted someone who was familiar with dodges as my local mechanic was out of things to try as well. The one working on it right now is at a total loss as he cant figure it out. I have thought of replacing the engine as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 I once has a boat that after a long time acting up i finally found a anti -siphon valve mid way on the fuel line stuck at half open thus not allowing full gas flow.. since you say this always happens at 3/4 empty possible fuel pump intermittent problem?good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5rebel9 Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 only at 3/4 tank of fuel and lower? There may be an EVAP component in play,BUT you post of no other codes that should show it. Also the "experienced Dodge people need to be reminded of going back to basic checks. AND is this an AWD or FWD? You could be having tank vent /EVAP problems with an AWD model with essentially a "split" tank from the prop shaft. Suggest you be more specific as to when and at how full the tank is when it acts up. Because my and the post by member 2late4you are speaking from opposite scenario's. Do you have a scanner with Live data capability to see what the engine computer fuel/spark/timing are running at? This is getting a bit confusing as you now say it goes away once driven a bit and only at a particular fuel tank fill level and going on for more than a year as you posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 Some times it’s nice to save money at Jimbo’s auto repair, and lots of small shops are excellant. But after all the musical parts you may need to pay for dealer trained guys to look at it. Tell them only doctors and lawyers are allowed to practise, mechanics have to know what they are doing. Firm diagnostic no more guessing. Lots of good suggestions from the OP’s. I’ll add crank position sensor as my first choice wag. jkeaton and Nicho 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicho Posted October 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 Thanks for the response!! It only happens at 3/4 of a tank...once it does its thing (Misfires splutter etc) it stops! Then it will be gone till I am at the 3/4 tank of fuel again. That is just a new thing we noticed (started paying attention to when these random misfires were happening (Hot,cold etc) common denominator was at 3/4 tank. The car is FWD. The only codes we have gotten is those ones that I mentioned above I am sorry I am not being more specific, this is the first time I have reached out on a forum for help and trying to provide as much information as I can. Yes he drives with a scanner with the live data and from what he can find, everything is running as it should EXCEPT for the random misfire (at 3/4 tank) after that point it runs fine. The hard start and white smoke is new this week. Yes this problem has been ongoing for a year, with several dealers and mechanics not being able to find a solution. I love my car and would rather not have to trade it in It will run fun other than at the times it does this misfire. I will add my fuel mileage is worse than it has been before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicho Posted October 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 I have had it at the dodge dealer in the next town (we dont have one where I live). Got a bill with no answers, sorry we dont know what's wrong with it, bring it back if it keeps happening... well after a couple hundred dollars and no answers it sucks. I have had at our local fountain tire (they ran out of ideas) The mechanic that has it now, worked for dodge for 15plus years and moved on to other things recently but I trust him with my dodge before I do some of the local mechanics that are not dodge mechanics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5rebel9 Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 Well from your pictures A number of the things I've suggested ARE in those screens(and I didn.t look them up) . At this point I'd suggest clearing and hard resetting the computer(disconnect the neg cable for a good 1/2 hr) and then drive it and see what happens performance wise and for recurring CEL codes and post back with them. With the "white smoke" just starting to happen...I'm still thinking of the dreaded bad cylinder head problem of the early 3.6 motors. Engine cold it could be a crack that's open and as warms up seals itself. Problem is you post of both banks running rich. That many miles and a map sensor is not that expensive or hard to change, I'd change that and then do as suggested. Nicho 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicho Posted October 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 17 minutes ago, 5rebel9 said: Well from your pictures A number of the things I've suggested ARE in those screens(and I didn.t look them up) . At this point I'd suggest clearing and hard resetting the computer(disconnect the neg cable for a good 1/2 hr) and then drive it and see what happens performance wise and for recurring CEL codes and post back with them. With the "white smoke" just starting to happen...I'm still thinking of the dreaded bad cylinder head problem of the early 3.6 motors. Engine cold it could be a crack that's open and as warms up seals itself. Problem is you post of both banks running rich. That many miles and a map sensor is not that expensive or hard to change, I'd change that and then do as suggested. This is the first time we have even gotten those codes...usually it resets itself and no stored codes when I get it to the mechanic. This time it finally acted up while the mechanic had it. He has been driving the car fine all week. But still need to know why. So with your suggestions and some of the things on the list we will just plunk away. He just didnt want to throw parts at it without knowing but I think thats what we will have to do. I questioned Kamloops Dodge on the cylinder head (it would be covered under warranty but it passed the leak down test they said. Results were Cylinder 2/4/6 have 16%, 12% 14% (within 20% allowable). But its definitely something I have questioned from the beginning. I will get the MAP sensor changed right away Thank you!!!! 5rebel9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5rebel9 Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 Well GOOD LUCK and keep us posted on any new info you can share. It is rather difficult to give precise "fixes" to such a long running problem...especially when the "pro's" have already had more than their share of "cracks at it" over the last year! Nicho 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicho Posted December 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 An update. Car is acting worse. Stalls out. Blowing white. Hard start. Over fueling. My brother is a dodge mechanic has had it for 2 months and has run all scans changed the intake manifold and injectors. Hes stumped. Took it to dodge...all scans and live data are ok. Sent to Chrysler engineers and they dont know what's wrong either. Surely this can not be the only issue ever on a journey??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 not a solution to your journeys problems BUT if it is getting worse before it takes a dump on you ,its time to trade it off for a newer journey or other brand doesn't have to be brand new but since the journeys are in their last yr some great deals as well with the covid going on and yes used car dealers will make a big profit off you but you can dump off your journey without feeling guilty as well, wish i could offer a better solution but sometimes you just have to cut your losses and start over....good luck on whatever you decided Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicho Posted December 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 Can I trade it in with the issues though? You can definitely tell it has issues and stalls out ? I know its probably time to get rid of it...its my sentimental side holding on (and I love it). Also... just not sure where I wanna go with direction for new car. It's at dodge now...will see what else they come up with tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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