Diesel Engine problems of the 2000 Dodge Intrepid

My 2000 Dodge Intrepid 2. 7l dohc engine needs to be replaced. I heard a noise that could be described as a "diesel engine" sound while my car was idling and running at lower speeds. I had several friends listen to it and they could not diagnose the problem without getting "inside the engine". I planned on taking my car to the shop the next day, and while my car was parked and in idle, the car died. When trying to restart it, it would run for 5 to 10 seconds and then die again. I had the car towed to a repair shop and the mechanic spent three hours diagnosing the problem and creating an estimate. The bill was $280. 00 including the tow and labor. The mechanic indicated that the timing chain broke and subsequently cracked the valve cover and damaged the valves, among other components. The estimate to replace my engine is $4500. 00 including parts and labor. I had approximately 70,000 miles on my Intrepid. Upon researching this issue on the internet, I found that many other vehicle owners with this same engine came into the same problem, most losing their engine between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. I have not had the work done to my car yet, due to the outrageous cost, and I have to decide now if it is worth it to repair it myself or just purchase another vehicle. Something should be done about this if many other people have had the same problem.

My 2000 Dodge Intrepid presently has sludge in the engine, and my extend warranty will not pay for any repairs. My car sounded like a diesel engine as if something had broke within the engine, this all happen on March 5th, 2003 I supplied documentation to show that my oil was changed as required but to know avail would the warranty company assist me in repairing my engine or even given me any alternatives other than it would cost me $10,500. 00 to repair. The shop manager explained to me that the 2. 7 engines are really crap and there is not much that can be done to correct this obvious defect. I am extremely disappointed that these engines were not recalled, for as long as I have been an owner of cars I have never had an engine go out or will be going out without any warning. I want to be included in the class action suit that is pending with Dodge/intrepid problems.