1.4 Turbo 6 speed engine hesitation

[klb6469]

In my opinion, I think Its the piss poor air box design. I removed the whole assembly yesterday to install the new INJEN cold-air intake system and was amazed at how small the intake tube was, thats mounted up just behind the grill. In my opinion, I think its a intake issue. With the new intake, I have more pull at lower RPMs. Car now pulls good at 1500 vs the 2000 with the stock box, and now most of the hesitation and bucking, while under mild boost is gone. This intake was well worth the money spent. Im going to buy the intercooler piping next. Turbo's like air, and im going to give it as much as I can.

[savage5193]

In my opinion, I think Its the piss poor air box design. I removed the whole assembly yesterday to install the new INJEN cold-air intake system and was amazed at how small the intake tube was, thats mounted up just behind the grill. In my opinion, I think its a intake issue. With the new intake, I have more pull at lower RPMs. Car now pulls good at 1500 vs the 2000 with the stock box, and now most of the hesitation and bucking, while under mild boost is gone. This intake was well worth the money spent. Im going to buy the intercooler piping next. Turbo's like air, and im going to give it as much as I can.

Let us know how the intercooler piping works out after installation. I'm really interested in the Injen and intercooler piping from Modern Performance. As an update to the Dodge Engineers, I took my car in and they had the car for two days (third time), the Dodge Engineers (aka.Italian Engineers) gave the dealer's service technician a template to run the diagnostic on the 1.4L Turbo. The readings never populated the template so now they are waiting for the engineers to give them a working template. This is so pathetic that it's comical. They can't even give a working spreadsheet for the computer readings. As an IT person, I'm a little troubled by their competency.

[srt4evah]

I'll say from my experience guys, it's most likely just ECU programming. My SRT-8 Charger was the same way. I could stab the pedal to the floor and it wouldn't even react if I did it quick enough. The pedal would go all the way to the floor, thunk, and I let go, and it would not react at all. It's the electronic throttle control, it's not programmed to react that quickly. I'm sure it's a tuning consideration, they could make it react more quickly if they wanted to, but it may be an emissions issue. My tuned Evo X reacts instantly to any throttle touch, and my SRT-4 reacts instantly too because it is cable driven, not electronic.

It's all in the tune.

[droogy9]

Sorry if there is already a thread started about this but I couldn't find it. If there is, please post a link for me.

There seems to be a lot of hesitation, mostly in lower gears like 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, almost like the engine is missing. It seems to be worse now that it's starting to get cold outside. I took it to the dealer and the service manager said that he has read about this problem but nothing is wrong and it's not missing. He said that Chrysler is aware of it and hopefully a TSB will come out addressing the issue but there's nothing he can do about it right now. He stated that it's Turbo lag but I've never seen Turbo lag act like this. Usually, Turbo lag may hesitate a little while it's spooling up and then everything runs smooth but this hesitation happens 3 or 4 times in between gears and it's pretty bad. The car bucks so much when it hesitates that if you really get on it, it will buck you forward in your seat.

Is anyone else having this problem and if so, did you take it to the dealer to get looked at and what did they say?

Thanks in advance.

I too am having this issue and having previously owned an SRT4 (which was not cable throttle), if this is not a tuning issue then it could also be a plumbing issue.

If the pressure that is built up from the turbo is lost then brief loss in power is to be expected.

I vaguely recall back in '04 that folks were using sealant on the hoses to ensure that pressure wasn't being lost.

Colder temps theoretically could cause contraction of the plastics and therefore leaks.

I haven't fully inspected the turbo piping on the dart though, are there possible leaks points?

[YellowHammer]

In my opinion, I think Its the piss poor air box design. I removed the whole assembly yesterday to install the new INJEN cold-air intake system and was amazed at how small the intake tube was, thats mounted up just behind the grill. In my opinion, I think its a intake issue. With the new intake, I have more pull at lower RPMs. Car now pulls good at 1500 vs the 2000 with the stock box, and now most of the hesitation and bucking, while under mild boost is gone. This intake was well worth the money spent. Im going to buy the intercooler piping next. Turbo's like air, and im going to give it as much as I can.

Did you use the Mopar CAI or something else? I searched Mopar's web site and found part number 77060080 but all three dealers in my area cannot confirm that this will fit. Mopar's description shows it for the 2007-2009 Nitro but comes up on a search for the 2013 Dodge Dart. Can you check yours and post a part number if it's Mopar?

Here's the link to the Mopar web site.

http://www.mopar.com/part/77060080?s=352861&i=2206092&b=dodge



Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

[savage5193]

Did you use the Mopar CAI or something else? I searched Mopar's web site and found part number 77060080 but all three dealers in my area cannot confirm that this will fit. Mopar's description shows it for the 2007-2009 Nitro but comes up on a search for the 2013 Dodge Dart. Can you check yours and post a part number if it's Mopar?

Here's the link to the Mopar web site.

http://www.mopar.com/part/77060080?s...206092&b=dodge

http://www.modernperformance.com/pro..._Dart_14_Turbo
This is the part that I'm planning on using.

[savage5193]

Ok, I took my Dodge Dart out this afternoon for a run to the store (two blocks away). In a cold start, it almost jerked me out of the car when the turbo tried to engage. After warming up for a few minutes, the hesitation smoothed out. This is clearly a tuning issue and the engineers at Dodge need to fix it. I've recently been in contact with Dodge service and all that was given to me by the Dodge Engineers is, "we are working on it and don't know the cause yet." Somebody get an English speaking American Engineer that knows what their doing!!! I'm getting really tired of the excuses from Dodge. I also talked to Modern Performance who make performance parts for the Dodge and they have yet to get below 50 degrees there in Texas so they haven't had this issue yet. Today, it's 45 degrees and started out at 32 so I'm wondering if anyone is near the northern mid-west like Michigan who is experiencing bad performance in the cold. Shoot, Chrysler is in Michigan...you would think that it would have been the first thing they check...cold weather. Sorry, really having a bad time with this issue so if I sound a little on edge, I am. :-)

As an update, the Engineers gave my dealer a template to populate data from the engine but didn't work and the dealership is waiting for the Engineers to give them a working template. I received a call from Chrysler Headquarters (Customer Assistance Center) and they are keeping track of the progress with my darts issues. Below is their response after no response from the Engineers. No one has called or talked to me since the 7th of January. Anyone have experience with Customer Assistance Center? Good or bad?
Dear Customer:
Case #: 22898851 VIN: xxxxxxxxx Vehicle Description: DODGE DART SXT FOUR-DOOR SEDAN
Hello, my name is Anthony your case manager.
I will be forwarding your case to another department. What we are going to try and do is get the parts and or information we need in order to get your issue resolved. The other department will be in contact with you.
Thank you,
Note: This is a system generated message. Please do not reply.
Sincerely,
ANTHONY
Customer Assistance Center

[godsfire15]

I have been having same issue with my Dart. I have a 1.4L Turbo 6-Speed and it hesistates and spits and backfires when the engine is cold. Once it warms up i have absolutely no issues at all...Except the fact that the engine is gutless under 2500 RPM's.

[savage5193]

I have been having same issue with my Dart. I have a 1.4L Turbo 6-Speed and it hesistates and spits and backfires when the engine is cold. Once it warms up i have absolutely no issues at all...Except the fact that the engine is gutless under 2500 RPM's.

I feel your pain. As an update, I just got a call from Dodge and they are flying out an Engineer to test the issues (hesitation, backfires, loss of power under 2500RPM's). Hopefully, we get some answers and I'll post the resolution. Unfortunately, it's not scheduled until February 6th so it will be at least a month before we'll know anything.

[turbododge]

I feel your pain. As an update, I just got a call from Dodge and they are flying out an Engineer to test the issues (hesitation, backfires, loss of power under 2500RPM's). Hopefully, we get some answers and I'll post the resolution. Unfortunately, it's not scheduled until February 6th so it will be at least a month before we'll know anything.

bummer, part of the process tho.

at least cases like this will only help with perfecting the car.