High mileage Chrysler/Dodge minivans w/3.3L

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We still love our 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport with the 3.3L. We have done any and all maintenance on this vehicle because we want it to last as long as possible. We recently replaced the entire coolant system (including radiator) to finally solve some long term coolant leaks. The body has held up remarkably well and it drives great. We will be trusting it for two more 2,000 mile trips yet this year.

My current concern is the multiple oil leaks. Our local mechanic is recommending replacement of the valve cover and intake manifold gaskets and quoting $300 for this work which seems fair to me. I'm leaning toward getting the work done but curious if folks think this engine could last another 100,000 or if you think it is at the end of it's useful life.
 
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If you're referring to the Caravan in your sig line, the engine can go another 100K miles. The problem with them ususally is the transmission. But then again I heard the tranny's sucked in the Ford Aerostar I own and its 2 weeks away from 200K miles. All I did was service it and replace a vacuum modulator. $300 to stop the oil leaks sounds fair, but if all he's doing is replacing the VC gaskets that seems high. If that's the case change them yourself. JMO
 
Yes, the Caravan in my sig line with 158,000. I hear ya on Chrysler trannies. Our previous Mopar minivan, a 1990, blew it's transmission at only 68,500. Fortunately, that version came with a 7yr/70,000 mile power train warranty and was replaced at their cost. This 2000 model has gone the distance although knowing this, I've have had the trans serviced at 30,000 mile intervals. So far, so good. The quote also includes the intake manifold which I'm not willing to tackle myself, so I can live with the $300 quote.

Thanks for your input.
 
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If he is also changing the intake manifold gasket with both VC gaskets go for it. As long as you manitain that tranny and not beat on it you should be OK.

My brother has the same mini van with about 70K on it. What he's been doing with his tranny, overkill and perhaps a bit of a waste by some people's standards, is this. He drops the pan and filter at 30,000K miles, does a fluid exchange via a tranny line. Then after 15,000 miles he evacuates the pan, removing about 3 qts, and refills it. Then at 30K pan drop, fluid exchange. He feels the $15 worth of ATF at the halfway point keeps the fluid clean. He also adds LG red at the recommended amount. HTH
 
If he's 100% sure that's where the leaks are coming from, then that's probably a good deal. If it's a rear main seal or another location that he's not sure of currently, it could be more than that.
 
I put paper towels down on the garage floor and got five spots 1-2 inches in diameter. By my own visual inspection, there is no question the valve covers are leaking. I suspect that having this work done will certainly reduce the leakage sources and perhaps make it easier to find any remaining leaks. I did just put PHM 10W-30 in a couple of days ago but I'd be really surprised if it stops all these leaks. This engine had a steady diet of 5W-30 Kendall GT-1 Semi prior to this.

This is the first time I've tried a high mileage oil. Should I get it out of there once the gaskets are replaced?
 
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Originally Posted By: Indydriver
I did just put PHM 10W-30 in a couple of days ago but I'd be really surprised if it stops all these leaks.


Give it some time to work. After 500-1000 miles, you might notice the weeping is less. I had a '97 Dodge Dakota with a real main seal leak...but only if I didn't use something like MaxLife in it.

Originally Posted By: Indydriver
This is the first time I've tried a high mileage oil. Should I get it out of there once the gaskets are replaced?


No. In fact, I like high mileage oils. They tend to be a little on the thicker side, which can help keep aging engines quiet. They're nearly the same price as conventional, so if I owned a vehicle with that mileage on it, I'd use the high mileage oils anyway probably.
 
Thanks Hokie. I will be taking the first trip starting Saturday which will be about 2,000 miles and will wait until my return to re-evaluate. Now that I think about it, I have three long trips this year, not two. I spent some time driving it yesterday and it just drives great. Well worth spending some money on to keep in top notch condition.

I see you are from NC. I will be driving through your great state to Wilmington where we are staying for a couple of days before moving on to Myrtle Beach.
 
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Sounds good. We go to Wrightsville Beach at least once a year. I like the atmosphere in Wilmington. It's a typical beach-side town, smells like fishing and life is pretty laid-back. We're about 2 hours inland from Wilmington.
 
I can say (from expierience) +1 on the HM for helping with leaks. Bought a Volvo 850 in 08' with about 220k on the clock, leaked like a collinder. After about a year, 10k or so, and three oil changes with Valvoline HM it did not leak a drop (still consumed a little, 1 quart in 4 month OCI).

Enjoy your trip!
 
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Thanks Rock, good to hear. Like I said earlier, I really can't expect HM to solve my issues. If it does, I will certainly be singing its praises. It will get a good, long, hot run-in on this trip so it will have plenty of opportunity to do what it's going to do. I'll be carrying a couple quarts of back up just in case.
 
My 94 Intrepid 3.3L has 257K on the clock currently and runs great... transmission slips a little here and there but it's to be expected for that many miles.

I'd say do it and keep the car running... $300 is cheaper than years of car payments!
 
Originally Posted By: Paulson
I'd say do it and keep the car running... $300 is cheaper than years of car payments!

Amen to that. The body is in great shape, the vehicle drives really nicely and we've already invested in some major mechanical replacements. Like I said, I'll probably get the gasket work done after this trip. It will be interesting to see what's dripping when we get back.
 
My 96' Dodge Grand Caravan has 230k miles on it (3.8L), but it's on the 4th transmission... yep that's right 4th... that's even the worst part, it's starting to slip again...

I only use the van for hauling parts back and fourth from the junkyard for my uncle's shop, so it's in pretty bad shape.

All the transmissions i installed were Mopar Brand- New but they were still [censored].

I'd keep driving it till the trans. [censored] out then just junk it.
 
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They seem to be hit or miss. I had one that I used to tow trailers regularly that the tranny never wore out - and it was an '89 grand voyager with the 3.0 and infamous first year A604 ultradrive. A head gasket at 289K was the final nail in the coffin, at that point the van wasn't really in great shape and oil consumption had gotten to be about a quart every other tank of gas (valve guide seals), the A/C stopped working again and none of the power windows would go down, the 'wood' had all blown off the sides and only one speaker worked, but the transmission still shifted better than most do today, I still miss the buzz-click as it would roll to a stop.

Friends of mine had identical vans that had tranny failure after tranny failure after tranny failure. Others had no problems.

I was in an early '00's chrysler minivan a few weeks ago with 237K on it, I could tell it needed motor mounts, but the owner said he had never had any problems aside from squeaks and rattles.
 
Originally Posted By: CBR.worm
I still miss the buzz-click as it would roll to a stop.


What is that caused by? I used to always notice Chryco vans made that noise.
 
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: CBR.worm
I still miss the buzz-click as it would roll to a stop.


What is that caused by? I used to always notice Chryco vans made that noise.


Solenoid pack, IIRC.
 
Yep. Anything with a 41TE in it makes that noise, even to this day. Van, Stratus, etc.

That "Ultradrive" transmission was one of the first truly adapting transmissions out there. Advanced for back then, but eclipsed today.
 
Halfway through this trip. Burned 1/3 qt of PHM coming down here. Hammered it pretty hard going through the Smokies. Otherwise, it's running great. Good to see gas in the 3.30's everywhere.
 
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Our 1997 caravan with 3.3L is still going @ 245,000 miles. Though the torque converter just took a [censored]. It would not unlock so the engine would stall while coming to a stop. Got that replaced and it drives great again.

at around 200 or 220k the solenoid pack on the trans mission gave up. But that was easy to replace (external) and a new one was 100 bucks.

Other than that not much but the usual. Alternator, P/S pump, steering rack, coil pack. thats about all i can remember doing to it since we got it at around 150k.

engine uses very little oil. We have to do 10k + oci to have to add any.

+1 to occasional suspension squeaks, rattles, clunks.
 
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