2000 Dodge Caravan 3.0V6 135k miles....

[Thermo1223]

So after knowing my Dad's van should get an ATF drain & fill. I started looking at some other required maintenance.

I have yet to verify any of these have been done but my guess is they have not knowing his extreme lack of car maintenance & knowledge.

Timing belt, this is the big one since Mopar suggest every 60k. I know he hasn't done it recently but I wonder if it has EVER been done.

Water pump & coolant flush this goes with the timing belt since you'd do this as well.

Spark plugs every 30k? I dunno it never misfired at all when I drove it and they could be 60k or more.

Dis Cap & rotor, another 60k or so item, easy and not hard maybe worth it.

Fuel filter, worth doing if you don't have a problem?

Anything else I am missing? He at least changes his oil somewhat regularly but the car burns enough that he is constantly adding it anyway.

It passed OBDII emissions but failed safety for a leaking exhaust which I am fixing now. Just a rusty muffler. So I wonder if the spark plugs are even needed, let alone the cap & rotor. I don't think he ever threw an 02 code either.

Thoughts, suggestions, slap jack comedy all accepted at this point.

 

[racer12306]

These engines were very picky about timing belts. If it's never been done, you've dodged a bullet. I'd change it ASAP.

 

[Thermo1223]

I keep hearing the engine is not interference so when it breaks nothing is damaged. You just replace & carry on like the old 2.2/2.5l dodge I4's

 

[daves87rs]

I would get the belt for sure...

 

[thrace]

If you need to frequently add oil and exhaust has oil smoke when accelerating from a stop light, might be leaky valve stem seals. Older models were worse. There is a good diy on allpar how to change them. http://www.allpar.com/eek/ValveSeals.html
Other common things. Thermostat, mine corroded and broke in open position so heated up slowly.
Hoses including bypass hose, heater hoses.
Timing belt, water pump if not done when supposed to. My old model every 60K mi.
Front engine mount if cracked, too loose.
If is stalls with throttle closed, IAC valve.
Never did change wires, dist cap or rotor on my 3.0.
Found serpentine belt squealed lots. Even the original. Changed to Goodyear Gatorback. Now quiet. Also had to replace serpentine belt tensioner because it squealed.
Overall, service most often done on my 3.0 minivan after oil change have been transmission fluid and front brake pads and sometimes front brake caliper because dust boot broken.

 

[Thermo1223]

Yes I know all about the Valve Guide Seals....dunno if I want to attack that.

His rear heat has been disabled as the steel lines sprung a leak some time back.

I also finally convinced him last year to stop eating serpentine belts and get the fix kit which is ribbed.

So timing belt/water pump/tstat/coolant change are top of the list for now.