Chrysler/Dodge 3.3L

[HawkeyeScott]

My work has a 2006 Town and Country with this engine. What do we know about this engine? I am in charge of seeing to the maintenance. Right now it's got an AAP filter and the MC 5W-20 in it. Unless I'm told otherwise here not to, I plan on keeping the oil in for 6 months of 5K miles. (The car isn't driven every day, but when it is, the oil gets nice and hot.)

Thanks.

 

[crazyoildude]

the 3.3 is a good motor use the 5w20 in the past they were known to burn a little oil but they are ok now use 5w20 and 5000miles between oil changes is fine... The lighter oil seems to lube the valve guides faster and gets them oiled better and that may be the reason why some engines dont burn oil as much as others..We see it all the time with the ford 4.6 (Great engines) if the 5w20 is used early in life the engines are due for rebuilds at around 300,000 but if a heavier oil is used all the time some of them need valve guides at around 150,000
We do the rebuilds for a major taxi and limo service we also have a number of construction companies and many other commercial accounts that use the 4.6 ford engines and the mini vans use the 3.3 v6

 

[StevieC]

The 3.3's are bullet-proof engines... You could go 6K no problem with that engine.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: HawkeyeScott
My work has a 2006 Town and Country with this engine. What do we know about this engine?


Probably one of the best engines on the market for its application (minivans and Jeeps in its larger 3.8 form). Very basic- cam-in-block, cast iron block, timing chain (no belt), rock-solid bottom end. 60-degree so its even-firing. Lasts forever. Built for distributorless ignition from the ground up so there's no oil pump or distributor drive gear- the oil pump is keyed on the front end of the crank. Been around since about 1988/89, one of the last engines developed under the same guy who designed the slant-6. The early ones tended to break rocker shaft pedestals in the heads, but that was solved by 1991 or 92.

Its easy on oil, doesn't cook it, isn't prone to burn it like the old Mitsubishi 3.0 that Chrysler (stupidly) used in minivans for years. You should be fine.

 

[parimento1]

Most of the older OHV engine are nearly impossible to destroy for some reason. Like the vulcan 3.0, the GM 3.3 and 3.1 and 3.8 (besides the intake gaskets)

 

[StevieC]

I have never come across a 3.3 or 3.8 that uses oil...

Maybe I have been lucky... The 3.0 Mitsu's used oil because Chrysler was too cheap and used faulty seats in the early engines and bad valve seals that hardened quickly. Funny because this same engine was used in a Mitsu branded car and never had the problem...

 

[ViragoBry]

I guess frequent oil changes (3000 mi) prevented the valve seal problem in the 3.0? My 1993 Sundance never used a drop with Castrol GTX.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: HawkeyeScott
.. I plan on keeping the oil in for 6 months of 5K miles. (The car isn't driven every day, but when it is, the oil gets nice and hot.)

Thanks.


That's a perfect schedule IMO. It also forces you to poke around under the hood and look underneath at least 2x/year. Great engine, decent power, decent fuel economy. It doesn't have the power of a Toyota, Honda or Hyundai/Kia minivan OHC V6, but you'll beat them in regards to MPG.

Joel

 

[meep]

Hey, if it was to be used for short trips only, can tell you from experience that 6k is a stretch even on synthetic. Used for longer commutes 10k on syn worked out well for us, but when we moved and the car did not really warm up, 10k was NO GOOD. All kids of noises, wasn't as smooth, etc.

3.3 was a great engine in ours. Smooth....

M

 

[rszappa1]

I must say that the 3.3 that was in my 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan was a very good engine. Never had a problem with it....The only think with the engine was changing the back three plugs....

 

[HawkeyeScott]

Thanks guys. Part of the reason I was asking is that I may try and buy the van later on. I think my work will want to get a new one well before it's worn out. Also, with me maintaining it, I know exactly how well it's been taken care of. And as far as I know, no one drives it hard at all.

 

[RoGuE]

The 3.3L in our 91 Caravan used oil and leaked oil like crazy. Then again the car had more money in it's repair than we probably paid for it (extended warranty helped out A LOT) Other than that the engine was smooth and powerful.

 

[65cuda]

Is it still under warranty? I'm guessing not since you will be doing the maintenace. However if it is on my 05 the change is at 3000 miles.