Bought my 17yr a used high mileage 232k 2011 Challenger. I know 0 about these cars other than they look cool. It ran smooth as can be, shifts fine, no noises, no smoke, no engine lights on. BUT…has an over heating problem. So I took a chance on it for $3500. For starters it would not over heat at idle, it would stay running at temperature as long as you would let it. The original owner said the oil cooler went bad so he replaced it. Still over heated so he replaced the thermostat, then the radiator. Still over heated after driving it maybe 30 minutes or so. He was paying a mechanic so he got tired of spending money. I’m a glutton for punishment. So I start in on it bought another oil cooler because the one he replaced was plastic, I up graded to the aluminum one. I noticed who ever replaced the original had pinched a sensor wire between the mating surfaces so I convinced myself that was the problem, it wasn’t damnit. Then I found a cracked t-fitting for heater core. That got to be it. Nope not that either. So then I said well it had to be letting in air so it’s getting air blockage. I purge the air probably ten times. Still over heating. Well I’m not quitting yet. I tore the top end off. Looks like a bad head or head gasket for sure. The head gasket has carbon buildup between all cylinders that can’t be good. I’m going to pull both off and have them pressure tested and rebuilt at the machine shop cylinders have a lot of crosshatch. Who had these woes with the pentastars? seems to be common.
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