The bushings only make the clunking noise nothing else a big deal about them I wouldn’t rush out and make it a priority to replace them unless you are just bored
Sounds great. Hope the gasket method you got works. I have seen tons of those black flat gaskets leak real soon after the independent shops use them on a service then the poor customer has to pay again to get it sealed properly. They used to make a metal/rubber mopar gasket that I would use on all the rebuilds but I haven’t had one of those apart in quite some time for warranty purposes and not certain they make it. I used to have that part number memorized but that was a lot of years agoProgress earlier today:
Was able to remove the old transmission oil pan, and installed the new one with the drain plug.
No gasket on the old one, just black silicone. It's funny, I could smell that distinct ammonia-type odor when removing the bolts, as though the material hadn't fully cured where trapped by a bolt. Not leaking at all though, so they did a good job, either at the factory or somewhere else subsequently.
The old pan had a small puck-like magnet that I transferred over to the new pan. The magnet had some gunk on it, but not a huge amount.
Changed out the filter, of course. I'd be interested in cutting open the old one.
Cleaned up the bolts (13 of them, all M8 x 1.25) with a die, because they had dried black silicone on them. In one of my old Mazda FSMs, they stressed how important it was to do this; the silicone won't compress much, and can crack the fitting it's being forced into on the end of a bolt.
Instead of silicone, I used a gasket and a tacky red Permatex spray. It's worked well for me in the past. No leaks so far.
Measured what had come out, and poured in four US quarts of Castrol Transmax ATF+4.
It's likely my imagination, but I think the shifting feels crisper now. Even if not, I've got more peace of mind, knowing I've done what I can for the tranny. (Well, not quite - should do another drain and fill in a few days.)
That's something I'll be checking! Thanks for the heads-up.These vans eat sway bar bushings. I bet you're due.
Brian, I'm not sure where they rust - I will keep an eye on the 4th-gen ones here, and pay extra attention to those areas on mine. I plan to get ours oil-sprayed in the next few days. I like Rust Check. I think your closest one is Koopman's Autobody in N Battleford:I am getting a hand me down 2005 Grand Caravan without of rust around the rockers and doors. Are they known to rust beyond the rockers and weren't the leaf spring perches?
I did the plugs early on, so now it's O2 sensor time. I ordered the Bosch, as recommended by BITOGers for this vehicle. Should be here in a few days.Glad you love it!! We have really grown to love our rusty, sky blue Mormon van. Can't beat the utility. My mileage has been hovering around the 10.5 to 11.5L/100km range. I too expected a bit better so I checked and it looks like it could use fresh plugs and the O2 sensor is getting lazy.
I replaced NGK basic plugs (G-Power, if I recall correctly) with NGK Iridium plugs.I read that same thread and will be ordering a Bosch as well. What plugs did you choose?
BrianF, I hope your O2-sensor change goes smoother than mine has so far!I read that same thread and will be ordering a Bosch as well. What plugs did you choose?
Done - it could have been worse. Once the cowl and wiper motor/linkage tray were off, I had pretty good access.Well...... I was wondering how that O2 sensor was going to work. I had been eyeballing it for some time and full well expect it to be a PIA.
I changed the plugs a few months ago, and did not remove the cowl. The ones on the rear bank were surprisingly easy, given that I was working by feel only.Nice!!! Ok so cowl should be removed, regardless. Did you remove anything when doing the plugs?
On a side note, what calculated mileage are you getting? In good weather, mostly highway I float around 10.5 to 11L/100km.
Likely so - although I know three families with 5th-gen Grand Caravans with the 3.6 l Pentastar and 6-speed transmission. All three vans routinely turn in 8 l/100 on the highway. I guess the DOHC vs. pushrod engine helps, plus lower highway RPMs.8 to 9 liters per 100 km or 31 to 35 imperial mpg , i think might be a bit of a long shot in a 3.3 ....
Did you notice the PS cap doesn't fully seat on the reservoir and spills over.Squawk on startup and loud hum thereafter - Replaced PSF reservoir. (This was a tip off the Chrysler minivans forum - sure enough, it worked. I can see that the screen in the old reservoir is badly torn.)