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Dodge Caravan: 4 Cylinder Reliability

13 messages,  Last post on Aug 22, 2011 at 7:55 PM

You are in the Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Van

Messages Page 2 of 2

#4 of 13 Re: Four banger Caravans... [shipo] by jpf

Feb 27, 2007 (9:52 am)

Replying to: shipo (Oct 22, 2006 6:59 am)
I have a 2006 Dodge Caravan, 4 cylinder. It has about 10,000 miles on it. For my next oil change, I want to switch to synthetic. Is it OK to do so, with this mileage? Is Mobil 1 the only synthetic oil that I should use? Please advise. Thank you.

#5 of 13 Re: Four banger Caravans... [jpf] by shipo

Feb 27, 2007 (10:55 am)

Replying to: jpf (Feb 27, 2007 9:52 am)
Switching to a synthetic oil at the 10K mark will be just fine. As for which oil and how long you keep it in the engine, for the remainder of the warranty period, adhering to the following guidelines is highly recommended:
 - 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

#6 of 13 89 Caravan "4" has been great by standepuy

Mar 19, 2008 (9:15 am)

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

#7 of 13 Re: Four banger Caravans... [shipo] by jpf

Feb 07, 2009 (12:24 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Feb 27, 2007 10:55 am)
On my last oil change I just found out that the dealer put the wrong grade of oil in the engine - 10W30 and not 5W30. I had to use a new dealer because the previous one had closed its doors for good. Is it OK to switch back to 5W30? I use fully synthetic oil. Not problems so far. The van is a 2006 Dodge Caravan with the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine. Any advice is very much appreciated.

#8 of 13 Re: Four banger Caravans... [jpf] by shipo

Feb 07, 2009 (5:48 pm)

Replying to: jpf (Feb 07, 2009 12:24 pm)
No worries, these days virtually all oil is compatible and you can change grades, brands and types to your heart's delight. Regarding the 10W-30 in your van now, if you live north where the weather is cold, I might be inclined to get that stuff out of there and go with either a 5W-30 or even a 0W-30.
 
Best regards,
Shipo

#9 of 13 Re: Four banger Caravans... [shipo] by jpf

Feb 08, 2009 (10:14 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Feb 07, 2009 5:48 pm)
Thank you for your help. I live in Mississipi. The last few days it's been 60+ degrees.

#10 of 13 Re: Four banger Caravans... [jpf] by shipo

Feb 09, 2009 (5:21 am)

Replying to: jpf (Feb 08, 2009 10:14 pm)
No worries then, 10W-30 should do just fine. The only real drawback with 10W-30 compared to 5W-30 is that it doesn't pump up to the top end of the engine quite as quickly, and as such, you might want to wait an extra twenty or thirty seconds or so before throwing the transmission in gear.
 
Best regards,
Shipo

#11 of 13 Timing Belt For 4 Cyl Engine by jpf

Sep 28, 2010 (9:30 pm)

I have a 2006 Caravan with the 2.4 L engine. It has about 63K miles now. I've been using synthetic oil since 10K miles. Runs great (knock on wood). I've checked the owner's manual and it states that the timing belt should be changed at 90K miles. This seems too long to me. Has anyone else had the timing belt changed for this engine size? What mileage did you have it done? Any advice is appreciated.

#12 of 13 Re: Timing Belt For 4 Cyl Engine [jpf] by shipo

Sep 29, 2010 (2:54 am)

Replying to: jpf (Sep 28, 2010 9:30 pm)
While the 90,000 mile recommendation in-and-of-itself isn't all that long, I've seen belts age and fail before their replacement interval. I'm thinking five to six years is about the tops I'd run a timing belt; that said, at the rate you're going you'll see the mile mark before six years.

#13 of 13 Re: Timing Belt For 4 Cyl Engine [shipo] by jpf

Aug 22, 2011 (7:55 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Sep 29, 2010 2:54 am)
We now have close to 80k miles and I'm looking at having the timing belt replaced within the next six months. Originally, I planned on having only the timing belt and water pump replaced, but others have replaced the tensioner and idler pulley. Are these other parts an issue with the Chrysler 4 cylinder minivans? Any help is most welcome.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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