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Vans & Minivans Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Dodge Caravan: 4 Cylinder Reliability
10 messages, Last post on Feb 09, 2009 at 4:21 AM
You are in the Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Forum. Your Host is Karens
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Ok, I just purchased a new 4 cylinder Caravan SE. I have just had it for one full day and am delighted with how it runs. But then, it's brand spankin' new. Anyway, I have just read an opinion on Epinions.com warning people away from buying the 4 cylinder version, saying it isn't powerful enough for the load. Is this true, in your opinion? By the way, I have removed the seats and will likely keep them stored indefinitely. Also, I don't plan to be carrying heavy loads, but will mainly be transporting light but unwieldy objects. Since the seats are heavy I'd think their removal would take a significant load off the engine.
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Replying to: jerrycari (Oct 21, 2006 7:53 pm) |
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The only thing I would recommend would be to use a very high quality oil (Havoline or Castrol GTX) with 3K Oil Change Intervals, or more preferably a fully Synthetic oil (Mobil 1 or German made Castrol (says "Made in Germany" on the label)) and go with the factory recommendation for the OCIs, until at least the expiration of the warranty period. Best Regards, Shipo
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Replying to: shipo (Oct 22, 2006 5:59 am)
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Replying to: jpf (Feb 27, 2007 8:52 am) - Keep the OCI down to the recommended limit as set forth in your manual - Oil should be certified API SM - If your manual states which DC oil spec is required (i.e. Chrysler MS-6395 or Daimler Chrysler 229.3/229.5), any oil you buy should meet that as well - Do not deviate from the recommended oil weight except to lower the first number. Said another way, if your Owner's Manual recommends 5W-30 oil, any 0W-30 and 5W-30 oil that meets the above criteria is acceptable, oils such as 10W-30, 5W-20 or even my personal favorite 0W-40 are not. Regarding Mobil 1 versus the others, I am a personal fan of Mobil 1. That's not to say that it's the absolute best oil in any given weight class, but every indication suggests that it's clearly in the thick of things, errr, as it were.  Anyway, once your van is out of warranty, you can start experimenting by trying out different oils and extending your OCIs. By experimenting I mean, change one thing, have a UOA performed, change another thing, have another UOA performed. Extrapolate from there what seems to be working the best and go with it. Best Regards, Shipo
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I have 92k miles on my SWB Caravan - The transmission (3 sp) is noisy but the engine (TBI) always starts easily and required little maintenance over the 13 years I've had it (bought it used in 1995 with 42k miles). I put in a new timing belt/water pump at 85k miles, new radiator, and catalytic converter (amazing how small the replacement was). The most expensive item was the a/c repairs at 50k - I needed a new evaporator (it's copper not aluminum like the old one). The van has been one of my best cars 
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Replying to: shipo (Feb 27, 2007 9:55 am)
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Replying to: jpf (Feb 07, 2009 11:24 am) Best regards, Shipo
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Replying to: shipo (Feb 07, 2009 4:48 pm)
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Replying to: jpf (Feb 08, 2009 9:14 pm) Best regards, Shipo |
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