[Opie]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

The problem is with the RTV on the pickup and starving the engine of oil, it's already done damage to the bearings and oil pump. Sure you can remove the RTV but you can't remove the damage.

I disagree with this...and until proven otherwise this entire "loose sealant blocked the oil screen" thought process.

On the new 2.4 engine, the pick up uses a 5 sided screenbox to ensure proper oil flow in case of a partial blockedge. You can see it in the pictures floating around...it's a box with sealant at the top, but the other 4 sides of passages are open and clean. Unlike the previous version pickup that had a circular screen at the bottom that could be completely clogged. The little bit of blockage shown, while not ideal, would not grenade an engine and would maintain proper oil pressure.

I'd bet there is something else "starving" the oil on the cars that have failed. Maybe oil not returning to the pan in high g loads, (ie; drifting, hard corners), maybe low factory oil fills, maybe faulty PVC systems, maybe faulty new oil pumps.......