Easy Way to Get Nore Hp Out of 2005 Dodge 4.7
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep 4.7L PowerTech Engine
The Chrysler V8 PowerTech engine first hit the streets in 1999 in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Eventually the engine made its way into a handful of Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler vehicles up to 2009. In Dodge applications, the 4.7L PowerTech is also known as the Magnum engine. Performance numbers may not look great by modern standards, but the V8 was pretty stout for its time. However – as with all engines – the Chrysler 4.7L PowerTech is prone to some common faults and failures. In this article, we break down a few of the common issues with the 4.7L V8.
*We may refer to the 4.7L V8 as the PowerTech or Magnum throughout this article. We may also refer to it as Dodge, Jeep, and/or Chrysler.
What Cars Use the 4.7L V8?
Before diving into the common problems let's lay out the basic details of the 4.7L PowerTech/Magnum engine.
Standard 4.7 PowerTech
The original variant of the 4.7L V8 makes 235 horsepower and 295 torque. It's nothing crazy by 2020 standards, but it's still plenty of power for most. Chrysler's 4.7L Magnum engine remained in models through 2009. However, a few models moved to the 4.7 HO variant.
- 1999-2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2006-2009 Jeep Commander
- 2000-2007 Dodge Dakota
- 2000-2009 Dodge Durango
- 2002-2007 Dodge Ram 1500
- 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen
4.7L PowerTech High Output (HO)
A high-output version of the PowerTech engine was released in 2002 in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The engine then went on a few year hiatus before appearing again in several models. Power comes in at 265-310 horsepower and 320-334 torque. More powerful engines were found in 2008 model years as there were a few updates to further improve performance.
- 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2007-2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2007-2008 Dodge Dakota & Ram 1500
Dodge 4.7L PowerTech Common Problems
A few common problems on the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep 4.7L V8 PowerTech engine include:
- Cooling System
- Head Gasket
- Valve Cover Leak
- Valve Seat Failure
We'll discuss each of these problems in-depth below. It's important to note – simply because something is on this list does not mean every PowerTech engine will have these problems. Additionally, the Chrysler 4.7L Magnum V8 is about 12 to 20 years old now. All engines are prone to faults are failures, especially with age and mileage. Gaskets, hoses, seals, etc can harden and crack with age. Point is – don't expect the 4.7L PowerTech to be as reliable as newer engines.
Anyways, let's dive into the Chrysler 4.7L PowerTech faults and failures.
1) 4.7 PowerTech Cooling System Problems
Almost all engines are prone to cooling system problems at some point, and the 4.7L Magnum is no exception. There are a lot of parts to the cooling system such as the water pump, thermostat, radiator, cooling fan, coolant hoses, and water/coolant itself. Some of these are wear and tear parts prone to potential failure. Radiators and hoses may also develop cracks with age and mileage. Point is – there are a lot of things that can go wrong with the cooling system.
While it may not be fair to include the whole cooling system as a "common" 4.7L PowerTech problem, we're discussing it for a reason. It's a lead in to the next topic, which is head gasket failure. We'll tie this together shortly.
Symptoms of 4.7L Magnum Cooling System Failure
Look out for the following symptoms that may indicate 4.7L PowerTech cooling system issues:
- Overheating
- Visible coolant leak
- Low coolant
- Steam under hood
It's rare for problems to slowly develop with the 4.7 V8 cooling system. Rather, when something fails one or more of these symptoms will pop up suddenly. A cooling system issue can quickly lead to over-heating. It's important to pull over and shut the engine off as soon as possible in this situation. If the Chrysler 4.7L V8 is left to over-heat you may end up causing additional damage.
4.7 V8 Cooling System Replacement
Costs may vary quite a bit based upon year, model, and what part(s) in the cooling system failed. Most of the cooling system repairs are fairly straight-forward for intermediate DIY'ers. If you're going to a shop you could end up spending $200-500+ for repairs. It's always a good idea to check other 4.7L PowerTech parts in the area. You can save time and money by knocking out some preventative items while you're already in there.
2) 4.7L PowerTech Head Gasket Failure
Head gasket problems can potentially pop up naturally on the 4.7L Magnum with age and mileage. However, the most common cause of head gasket failure is overheating. Almost any engine will experience head gasket problems if allowed to overheat severely for too long. However, the 4.7 PowerTech seems much less tolerant than other engines.
That's why we led into this with the cooling system problems. If you notice a potential issue with the cooling system pull over somewhere safe immediately. Don't risk it and try to finish the last couple miles of your drive. Again, the 4.7 PowerTech head gasket is prone to giving out regardless of whether or not the engine over-heated. However, it's still best to error on the side of caution and not risk a head gasket failure if you already have another cooling issue going on. Head gasket repairs aren't cheap.
Symptoms of 4.7L V8 Blown Head Gasket
A few frequent symptoms of head gasket failure on the Dodge Magnum 4.7L V8 include:
- White smoke from exhaust
- Sweet smell
- Engine oil color off
- Coolant loss with no visible leak
- Overheating
Some of these symptoms are shared with the other cooling system problems from above. However, a head gasket failure usually won't result in any visible leaks. Rather, the coolant will leak internally, burn off, and create white smoke from the exhaust. It will usually have a sweet smell to it. Additionally, if the 4.7L PowerTech head gasket fails then the coolant and oil will likely mix. This will give the oil a milky white appearance.
4.7 Magnum Head Gasket Replacement
Replacement cost for a blown head gasket is likely to come in around $600-1000. The parts are only about $100, but most shops will probably quote somewhere around 6-10 hours of labor for the job. Fortunately, it's a cheap job for the DIY crowd. However, head gasket repairs are tedious so it's best left to experienced DIY'ers.
3) 4.7L Magnum V8 Valve Cover Leaks
Coming from the BMW world we know all about valve cover and valve cover gasket oil leaks. This is a common issue on the 4.7L PowerTech engines, especially with age and mileage. Over time, the rubber valve cover gaskets harden and crack. Oil leaks are typically minor at first as the gaskets develop small cracks. However, the leaks get gradually worse unless fixed.
It's not an extremely urgent repair, and driving for a little bit with a valve cover leak isn't a huge concern. We still recommend fixing the leak sooner than later. Oil may cause fire hazards or wear down other components depending on where the oil is dripping. With the Dodge 4.7 V8 being 12+ years old these leaks may occur at any mileage. Valve cover gasket leaks are especially common north of 100,000 miles. Engines driven short distances are also at greater risk due to constant heating and cooling of the gaskets.
Chrysler 4.7L V8 Valve Cover Leak Symptoms
The following symptoms may indicate your 4.7L PowerTech has an oil leak from the valve cover or gaskets:
- Visible oil leak
- Burning oil smell
- Smoke
A visible leak will usually be the most common symptom of 4.7 Magnum valve cover leaks. Look for leaks towards the top of the engine bay around the valve covers. Burning oil smells or smoke could also indicate a valve cover gasket oil leak. These symptoms are common as the leaks gets worse, especially when oil is dripping onto hot parts.
4.7 PowerTech Valve Cover Gasket Replacement
There are two valve covers and gaskets for each side of the V8. Even if only one side is leaking it's a good idea to replace both. If one gave out it's probably only a matter of time before the good gasket gives out, too. Like the head gasket replacement, valve cover gaskets are fairly labor intensive on the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep 4.7L PowerTech. The gaskets are pretty cheap, but expect to shell out $400-600 on labor.
It's not a complicated repair so intermediate DIY'ers should be able to tackle it with time and patience. The driver side gasket is fairly simple but the passenger side may cause some headaches. Grab a few beers and expect to spend the better part of a day in the garage.
4) Chrysler 4.7L PowerTech Valve Seat Failure
Some 4.7L V8 engines may experience problems with the valve seats. If you're not familiar with valve seats we'll spare the technical discussion; check out this Wikipedia page for information on valve seats. The above picture (not a 4.7 PowerTech) also gives you an idea of the valve seats job – to help seal the intake and exhaust valves when shut.
When these valve seats fail the intake and exhaust valves will not fully seal. This ultimately results in a loss of compression on the Jeep 4.7L PowerTech. As the cylinder attempts to compress air during the compression stroke it will simply leak out. It's a pretty serious problem that has significant impacts on engine performance. Valve seat failures may also have serious implications if left alone for too long.
As with the head gasket problems the valve seat failures are mostly attributed to over-heating. Yet another reason to be cautious of any cooling system problems and overheating. Anyways, the valve seat failures can and do happen. However, it may not be fair to call it a common problem since these things tend to get blown out of proportion on the internet. This failure also seems to primarily affect earlier model 4.7L V8 PowerTech engines.
4.7 PowerTech Valve Seat Failure Symptoms
Symptoms of a valve seat failure include:
- Compression loss
- Power loss
- Misfires
It's not uncommon for symptoms to be pretty minor on the Chrysler 4.7L V8. Some may not even notice the power loss since the failure will typically occur on only one cylinder. You've still got 7 cylinder working like normal so the power loss won't be massive. A compression and leak-down test will help identify if any clinder(s) is down on compression. Misfires also occur frequently as the cylinder will not fire properly with a loss of compression and leak.
PowerTech V8 Valve Seat Replacement
Engines that experience valve seat failure will likely need the head rebuilt or a totally new cylinder head. The valve seats are machined into the cylinder head so it's not a simple process to replace them. It's probably not a job you'll be DIY'ing without serious tools and knowledge to rebuild a head. 4.7L PowerTech valve seat problems will likely run $1,000+ dependent upon whether the head can be re-machined or a new head is needed. Either way, it's not cheap.
Fortunately, it's not a very common problem and most won't run into it. It's simply worth the mention since it's one of the more catastrophic problems that are well documented on the PowerTech/Magnum engine.
Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler 4.7L Reliability
Is the PowerTech 4.7L reliable? Yes and no. Common problem guides can sometimes paint a very dreary picture of an engine. However, there isn't an automotive engine in the world we can't write at least a couple problems for. The V8 PowerTech is a pretty solid engine that's fairly reliable. However, we say yes and no because it is a 12+ year old engine.
Problems can and will happen with that age and high mileage. Engines have a lot of moving parts subject to wear and tear, and that holds true for the 4.7L PowerTech. Don't expect it to be as reliable as a newer engine. However, compared to engines of the same era the PowerTech/Magnum engine is solid. It's not the most reliable, but it's far far from the worst.
Lastly, some reliability comes down to how well it's been maintained. Look for a Jeep, Dodge, or Chrysler that was well maintained in the past. Beware of engines that potentially over-heated or had constant cooling system problems. It's one of the biggest causes for concern on the 4.7L PowerTech. Keep up with maintenance and minor repairs as they pop up, and the PowerTech should be good for 200,000+ miles.
4.7L PowerTech Common Problems Summary
The PowerTech engines originally rolled out in 1999 and remained in production until 2009. The 4.7L V8 doesn't have a ton of power by 2020 standards, but they were stout engines for their era. This is especially true for the high output variants that made up to 310 horsepower. Chrysler's 4.7L PowerTech is a stout engine, but all engines are prone to common issues.
Look out for cooling system problems and over-heating as it's a big cause for concern. Severe or consistent over-heating may lead to issues with head gaskets and valve seats. These problems can still pop up regardless, but overheating makes the 4.7 V8 more prone. Otherwise, the engine is known to suffer from occasional valve cover oil leaks. Rubber gaskets degrade and crack with age so other oil leaks may pop up, too.
All things considered, the 4.7L PowerTech/Magnum engine is pretty reliable. However, it's only getting older so many potential issues become fair game. Maintain your Chrysler 4.7 PowerTech well and it should reward you with sound reliability.
What's your experience with the 4.7L V8? Leave a comment and let us know!
Looking for something a bit newer? Check out our 5.7L HEMI common problems guide
Source: https://tuningpro.co/4-common-dodge-4-7l-v8-powertech-engine-problems/