Most recently, we have had the head gasket leak. It hasn't quite blown yet. It has been leaking oil down the block for about six months. I now blows water out of the tailpipe when it's hot. The seats put my backside to sleep and the offset steering wheel is quite annoying. I have put front brakes on twice and back brakes on once. The starter went out a few weeks after we brought the car home. The battery died at 78000 miles. Removal of the transmission control computer was required for starter replacement, and the left front tire had to come off to replace the battery. The battery was covered by a flimsy plastic door which leaked copious amounts of water all over the terminals.
There is no reason for a head gasket to fail so quickly! I've searched on the Internet and encountered many with the same head gasket problem. Don't buy a four cylinder Chrysler!!!
I have purchased my Dodge in Aug. 2002 and have been experiencing the head gasket problem for the past two months now. My warranty is out so it cannot be covered. Very furious at the make of this car and would never recommend it to anyone.
The water coming out of the tail pipe is a bi-product of the catalytic converter, which converts your carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and water. It is normal for any car. The tell tale sign for a head gasket leaking into the cylinders is a cloud of white smoke coming from the tail pipe. Usually the check engine light will also come on because the antifreeze in the exhaust will quickly destroy your oxygen sensor. I have actually had cooling system stop leak treatment successfully stop a leaky head gasket that was leaking on the outside, down the block. I would suggest trying it, and you might get lucky. I do not know whether it would work on an inside leak (into the cylinders) or not, but I have heard that there are products out there made just for that.
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