Extended Warranty and other questions (italicized)

[Markh1254]

Once again I have to ask this fine community question on extended warranties other questions and appreciate any and all input.

I bought this 2017 Tradesman from a private owner. It has 41,000 miles on it and the in-service date was December 2016. I am in the fourth year of the 5 year 60,000 mile powertrain warranty and am wondering if an extended service contract makes sense.

After reading about CP4 pump failures (is that what my 2017 has?) and the need to replace the pump, injectors and associated parts, I can only assume that this can be a costly proposition. Are there any additives recommended to the fuel?

I also spoke to the dealer that the previous owner had service the vehicle to learn the service history. I was surprised to learn that all four ball joints were replaced at 38,000 miles. On a positive note, I learned that at the same time to fix a leaking transmission (68RFE) they changed the transmission fluid with the owner paying for new filters. They also changed the oil, oil, fuel and air filters at the same time. It has been well maintained.

The only big disappointment I have found so far is no indication that the double cardan joint has not been greased, or if it has, not for some time. I found a bent needle grease gun tip (Lincoln Industrial) is the only real way to get grease in there. Any other suggestions?

Back to the my original question, what is the consensus on extended warranties and would you buy the factory extended warranty, if even available, or a third party?

Thank you again,
Mark

 

[tlevan03]

Your truck has the CP3. The fuel additive question is about the same as going down "which oil" road. But the popular fuel additives are Diesel Kleen and Stanadyne. Ive used both and never noticed a difference between the two.

 

[lpennock]

You have a CP3 so you don't need to worry about that. CP3 has been a very reliable pump since around 04 and doesn't normally take out all the high pressure system when it fails.

I wouldn't worry allot that the double cardan wasn't serviced correctly. The 7500 mile requirement is a hold over from before the Center Axle disconnect days where the front shaft spun all the time. With the CAD the front shaft doesn't spin much normally. I would just get the pin adapter and grease it. It is much easier to grease on the 4th gens then it was on a 3rd gen due to the position of it relative to the cross member.

I personally like the Chrysler Max Care warranty. I've had them on my last couple of vehicles. Now days the longest available is a 8/125 (unless it recently changed) so it would give you about 4 more years of coverage. Do checking online as the price it is available for varies quite a bit. I always start with zeigler (www.chryslerfactoryplans.com) and then go from there when pricing them. The big question will be cost. At $2.5-3.5k I would probably get it as a single trans or turbo repair can eat that up, at $5k I wouldn't. Read the fine print carefully to make sure everything you want covered is. Most don't cover the cat or dpf.

 

[Rob S]

Id go the factory Max care over a 3rd party, if you decide to extend it out. lots of youtubes on lubing the front joint. Ive been using Optilube and sometimes Diesel Clean because my truck has the CP 4.2 which they started using in 2019 MY

 

[TFucili]

My '05 needed ball joints at around that mileage, too. Not terribly unusual. As stated, CP3=A-OK. Also agree Mopar>Aftermarket warranty.