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 MONROE 171667 171668 Intrepid Concorde FRONT Quick Struts Springs PAIR Set $269.95 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 38m Buy It Now for only: $269.95 |
 2 NEW Chrysler Concorde Intrepid 300M LHS Front Set Complete Struts PAIR $190.00 Time Remaining: 24d 10h 38m Buy It Now for only: $190.00 |
 Concorde LHS Intrepid 300M REAR Shock Strut Spring Pair Set Kit LH RH $161.45 Time Remaining: 24d 16h 13m Buy It Now for only: $161.45 |
 Intrepid Front Strut Spring Pair Set LH RH MONROE $315.95 Time Remaining: 28d 12h 55m Buy It Now for only: $315.95 |
 93 97 Concorde Intrepid Vision Front Strut Spring Assembly Left Right Pair Set $260.95 Time Remaining: 21d 3h 5m Buy It Now for only: $260.95 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID RIGHT HAND STRUT FRONT $30.00 Time Remaining: 26d 18h 16m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 KYB GR 2 EXCEL G STRUTS SHOCKS 93 97 INTREPID CONCORDE FRONT REAR SET $333.00 Time Remaining: 27d 2h 46m Buy It Now for only: $333.00 |
 New FRONT LOWER Strut 300M Concorde Intrepid 99 04 $10.24 Time Remaining: 23d 7h 13m Buy It Now for only: $10.24 |
 MONROE 171669 Intrepid LHS Concorde REAR Quick Struts Spring PAIR Set Shocks $269.95 Time Remaining: 20d 9h 5m Buy It Now for only: $269.95 |
 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $55.00 Time Remaining: 7d 13h 13m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
 Concorde Intrepid 1998 1999 2004 Front Strut 171668 NEW $138.80 Time Remaining: 20d 14h 58m Buy It Now for only: $138.80 |
 NEW Chrysler Concorde Intrepid 300M LHS Front Right Driver Side Complete Strut $82.00 Time Remaining: 8d 10h 4m Buy It Now for only: $82.00 |
 NEW Chrysler Dodge Concorde Intrepid 300m LHS Front Left Driver Complete Strut $92.00 Time Remaining: 7d 13h 17m Buy It Now for only: $92.00 |
 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID R STRUT FRONT $35.00 Time Remaining: 24d 20h 57m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 93 97 Concorde Intrepid Vision Front Strut Spring Assembly Left Right Pair Set $314.90 Time Remaining: 21d 1h 35m Buy It Now for only: $314.90 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $70.00 Time Remaining: 11d 15h 6m Buy It Now for only: $70.00 |
 Intrepid LHS Vision Concorde Rear Upper Strut Mount $35.95 Time Remaining: 20d 19h 23m Buy It Now for only: $35.95 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $93.71 Time Remaining: 24d 22h 25m Buy It Now for only: $93.71 |
 Intrepid Vision LHS Rear Strut Spring Pair Set MONROE $359.90 Time Remaining: 20d 13h 49m Buy It Now for only: $359.90 |
 NEW Chrysler Concorde Intrepid 300M LHS Front Right Driver Side Complete Strut $92.00 Time Remaining: 14d 4m Buy It Now for only: $92.00 |
 Intrepid Concorde Windstar Moog Strut Rod Bushing Kit $11.45 Time Remaining: 22d 12h 15m Buy It Now for only: $11.45 |
 Concorde Intrepid 1998 1999 2004 Front Strut 171667 NEW $138.80 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 38m Buy It Now for only: $138.80 |
 KYB 234602 GR2 Gas Strut Front LH Vision Intrepid LHS $67.02 Time Remaining: 7d 15h 51m Buy It Now for only: $67.02 |
 Intrepid Vision LHS Rear Strut Spring Pair Set MONROE $294.95 Time Remaining: 20d 19h 34m Buy It Now for only: $294.95 |
 2000 DODGE INTREPID FRONT STRUT SHOCK RH $60.00 Time Remaining: 18d 21h 2m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $65.00 Time Remaining: 11d 13h 4m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 |
 2001 DODGE INTREPID FRONT STRUT SHOCK RH $65.00 Time Remaining: 18d 20h 58m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 |
 Rear Strut Mount Intrepid Concorde 300M LHS 903902 $26.16 Time Remaining: 23d 7h 13m Buy It Now for only: $26.16 |
 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID R STRUT FRONT $35.00 Time Remaining: 24d 20h 57m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 2004 DODGE INTREPID REAR STRUT SHOCK $60.00 Time Remaining: 18d 21h 4m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 KYB 4 GR2 STRUTS 300M CONCORDE INTREPID LHS 98 04 $279.22 Time Remaining: 10d 20h 53m Buy It Now for only: $279.22 |
 Concorde Intrepid Vision 93 97 Front Strut LH Left Driver $179.90 Time Remaining: 21d 1h 41m Buy It Now for only: $179.90 |
 2001 DODGE INTREPID FRONT STRUT SHOCK LH $65.00 Time Remaining: 18d 21h 15m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 |
 SENSATRAC FRONT LEFT 1998 2004 INTREPID 300M CONCORD $78.84 Time Remaining: 23d 7h 13m Buy It Now for only: $78.84 |
 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $55.00 Time Remaining: 7d 13h 13m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
 Intrepid Front Strut Spring Pair Set LH RH MONROE $335.90 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 2m Buy It Now for only: $335.90 |
 Intrepid LHS Vision Rear Upper Strut Mount Pair Set $67.90 Time Remaining: 20d 14h 3m Buy It Now for only: $67.90 |
 Shock and Strut Mount NEW Front Dodge Intrepid PART CAR $43.61 Time Remaining: 13d 59m Buy It Now for only: $43.61 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $25.00 Time Remaining: 21d 19h 3m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 Intrepid Vision LHS Concorde Rear Strut Spring MONROE $159.55 Time Remaining: 21d 30m Buy It Now for only: $159.55 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID DRIVER SIDE STRUT FRONT $75.00 Time Remaining: 24d 18h 46m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $55.00 Time Remaining: 4d 13h Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
 Intrepid LHS Vision Concorde Rear Upper Strut Mount $44.90 Time Remaining: 20d 15h 21m Buy It Now for only: $44.90 |
 MONROE 171667 171668 Intrepid Concorde FRONT Quick Struts Springs PAIR Set $339.90 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 36m Buy It Now for only: $339.90 |
 300M Intrepid LHS 2 Rear Quick Spring Strut and Mount $159.00 Time Remaining: 21d 11h 14m Buy It Now for only: $159.00 |
 2 Strut Mount Moog VISION CONCORDE LHS INTREPID 93 97 $45.49 Time Remaining: 11d 12h 36m Buy It Now for only: $45.49 |
 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $25.00 Time Remaining: 27d 8h 40m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $35.00 Time Remaining: 14d 13h 8m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 Intrepid Front Strut Spring Left L Driver Side MONROE $207.90 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 2m Buy It Now for only: $207.90 |
 Intrepid Front Strut Spring Right RH Passenger MONROE $207.90 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 2m Buy It Now for only: $207.90 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $45.00 Time Remaining: 7d 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID DRIVER SIDE STRUT FRONT $75.00 Time Remaining: 7d 18h 40m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Intrepid LHS Vision Rear Upper Strut Mount Pair Set $52.45 Time Remaining: 20d 18h 41m Buy It Now for only: $52.45 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $58.00 Time Remaining: 14d 13h 58m Buy It Now for only: $58.00 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID 99 00 01 02 03 04 300M Left Front Strut 7569 $60.00 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 49m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $55.00 Time Remaining: 9d 14h 23m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
 Dodge Intrepid 300M Concorde LHS Rear Loaded Shock Strut Spring LH or RH $100.90 Time Remaining: 24d 16h 18m Buy It Now for only: $100.90 |
 Intrepid Front Strut Spring Left L Driver Side MONROE $177.80 Time Remaining: 28d 12h 56m Buy It Now for only: $177.80 |
 Concorde Intrepid Vision 93 97 Front Strut RH Right Passenger $179.90 Time Remaining: 20d 16h 59m Buy It Now for only: $179.90 |
 300M Intrepid LHS 2 Front Quick Spring Strut and Mount $179.00 Time Remaining: 21d 11h 13m Buy It Now for only: $179.00 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $75.00 Time Remaining: 18h 30m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Concorde Intrepid Vision 93 97 Front Strut LH Left Driver $177.80 Time Remaining: 21d 5h 36m Buy It Now for only: $177.80 |
 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID DRIVER SIDE STRUT FRONT BRAND NEW PART $175.00 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 58m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $45.00 Time Remaining: 7d 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID R STRUT FRONT $35.00 Time Remaining: 24d 20h 57m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID DRIVER SIDE STRUT FRONT $75.00 Time Remaining: 18d 19h 25m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Intrepid Vision LHS Concorde Rear Strut Spring MONROE $187.90 Time Remaining: 20d 18h 14m Buy It Now for only: $187.90 |
 MONROE 171669 x2 Intrepid LHS Concorde Rear Quick Strut Spring Pair Set Shocks $308.90 Time Remaining: 20d 9h 5m Buy It Now for only: $308.90 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID PASSENGERS RIGHT REAR STRUT $60.00 Time Remaining: 23d 4h 2m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 Concorde Intrepid Vision 93 97 Front Strut RH Right Passenger $177.80 Time Remaining: 21d 7h 3m Buy It Now for only: $177.80 |
 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID STRUT REAR $5.00 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $60.00 Time Remaining: 14d 18h 56m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $60.00 Time Remaining: 14d 19h 18m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 Intrepid Front Strut Spring Right RH Passenger MONROE $177.80 Time Remaining: 28d 12h 55m Buy It Now for only: $177.80 |
 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID L STRUT FRONT $65.00 Time Remaining: 14d 18h 32m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 |
| Account limit of 2039 requests per hour exceeded. |
High Quality Oil Gone Bad
Individuals purchasing used cars usually neglect to inspect the most crucial auto parts. That makes them guilty of the automotive original sin. The negligence of purchasers could lead to complex car problems at some future time. In fact, such negligence could turn high quality oil into futile gasoline.
Several hot-selling cars appear to have an increased peril of serious mechanical troubles. This is, most of the time, caused by neglecting the scheduled oil changes during the car’s formative years. One of the reasons that challenge the quality of the car is the buildup of sludge. The viscous tarlike deposits diminish or shut off oil circulation. It could cost the owner thousands of dollars for repairs or replacements.
Sludge is the term for solid waste and the thick breakdown of oil as it deteriorates. The buildup is triggered by moisture and contaminants that turn oil to gel. As a result, friction increases. Eventually, it may cause excess wear or worst – a stop-right-now failure. Experts are saying that there is no foolproof technique to ensure car owners of a trouble-prone vehicle to protect themselves. In addition, if there is a trouble involving sludge, the automaker may reject the warranty claim over the vehicle because it is likely hard to prove that previous owners neglected oil maintenance expected of them.
Oil sludge usually occurs at temperatures lower than 100 degree Celsius. It could be a key contributor to major engine problems. As a fact, sludge could necessitate a timely engine replacement. Late models of piston engines from several manufacturers have experienced failures by reason of oil sludge contamination. Failures happen when engine oil passages are clogged with sludge. Hence, even if oil is of high quality, it will be futile. The worst that it could do is to damage the whole engine much to the owner’s disadvantage.
Oil sludge has resulted to several auto catastrophes. In the automotive history, 3.3 million engines from Toyota, 430,000 from Saab, 426,000 from Volkswagen and unknown numbers from Chrysler, Dodge and Audi had such problems. These failures require changing to synthetic oil, inspection, and even engine replacement.
“Chrysler has a serious sludge problem with the 2.7-liter V-6 engine used on some of its Concordes and Sebrings and also on some Dodge Intrepids and Stratus in the 1998-2002 model years,” said Clarence M. Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety. He added, “The center’s Web site (autosafety.org) had about 2,800 complaints of failures from sludge.”
Sam Locricchio, Chrysler spokesman said, “The center was exaggerating the problem. He said the center received many duplicate complaints as well as cases in which it could not be shown that the vehicle had been properly maintained.”
Dean Tomazic, director for performance and emissions at FEV Engine Technology, a consulting firm in Auburn Hills, Mich. said, “The owner of a used car could conscientiously change the oil every 3,000 miles and still have a problem if the previous owner neglected the maintenance. The engine may be so damaged from the past abuse,” He also added that such could “eternally cause sludge formation.”
Used car owners are not alone with said dilemma. Earlier, Jeff Meckstroth of New Orleans, initiated a class-action suit against Toyota involving sludge problem. Meckstroth’s new 1999 Lexus RX 300 sport wagon also had a sludge problem. Later, it was ruled by a Better Business Bureau arbitrator that the car was properly maintained. Unfortunately, Toyota denied there was a problem with the engine.
On the other hand, Consumer Reports magazine reported “the problem rate as reflected in our reliability data is very low.” “Oil sludge,” according to an auto expert, “is almost like clogged arteries. You look good on the outside, but you don’t know what is on the inside.” Every auto parts serve a vital role in the vehicle’s efficiency. Hence, an owner should not only concentrate on brakes, EBC pads and the like. He must inspect each part to be secured.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
