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Vans & Minivans Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Caravan/Voyager Engine Problems
90 messages, Last post on Nov 01, 2009 at 6:47 PM
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Replying to: xwesx (Jan 15, 2008 8:09 am) |
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hearing bottom end engine noise only at idle or low rpm. Not a rod noise, thinking might be crank walking. Noise seems to be very close to flywheel. have remove oil pan and looks normal? have not measured end play as of yet but if i pry crank forward and back it seems a bit excessive and noise sounds similar. any thoughts and if thats the problem is it hard to fix?
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Replying to: dcshd (Sep 10, 2007 4:36 pm) If so then it is considered "normal". I first noticed this noise from the 3.8 liter engine in our 1998 DGC (a virtual twin of the 3.3 engine) shortly after we got the van. Now, 150,000 miles later I can still hear it. The noise hasn't improved and it hasn't gotten any worse, it just is. I'm thinking it might be oil pump related. Best Regards, Shipo
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Replying to: shipo (Sep 10, 2007 4:43 pm)
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Replying to: dcshd (Sep 10, 2007 4:50 pm) Will you tell me if you did get this resolved and what was the cause? thanks. |
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| I have a 2000 odel (bought new in 2001) Grand Voyager. The motor has developed a chirping noise when it start cold. As it warms it changes to a tapping. The recurren ce of the noises increases with the revs of the motor, and is present when the car is stationary and idling. The Chrysler dealer does not know the casue of the fault but wants $3,000 in labour to remove the motor and replace it, plus whatever it costs to diagnose and repair the fault. The motor seems to be running perfectly and was tuned only a week ago without problem. | |
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Common noises from the 3.3 and 3.8 engine line: 1) Upper end tapping or clicking: Fairly common complaint, not only from minivan owners but virtually all cars these days. Noise is usually attributed to the "clicking" of the fuel injectors, is considered to be normal and not in any way harmful. 2) Mid engine tapping or rattling immediately following a cold start: Fairly common complaint from Generation 2 and Generation 3 minivan owners. Noise is from the cam followers and is normally attributed to either the grade of engine oil and/or the quality of the "Drainback valve" in the oil filter. Personally I'm skeptical about the oil claim, however, I have found that the filter DOES make a difference. Over the years I've tried a number of oil filters on our Gen 3 3.8 liter van, and the one that keeps it the quietest following a cold start is oddly enough the Ford/Motorcraft FL-1A, a filter that is roughly twice the displacement than one that Chrysler originally mounted on our engines (meaning that an oil/filter change requires about 5.25 quarts of oil to bring the oil level up to the "Full" mark on the dipstick). 3) Bottom end tapping: Usually attributed to either the oil pump or the timing chain assembly. Both of our 3.8 liter DGCs (one from 1998 and the other from 2003) make this noise, and have since new. The 1998 now has in excess of 150,000 miles on it and still operates like new, ditto the 2003 with only 99,000 miles on it. While I'm not sure what is making the noise, it is a common one from these engines and one that is apparently harmless. 4) Chirping: Very common noise from these engines, and almost always attributed to either a cheap aftermarket serpentine belt (the vast majority of complaints) and/or a pully that isn't freely rolling. Remedy is usually as simple as buying a top of the line (as in at least $40) Napa, Gates, Dayco or Mopar belt. If the belt is both new and one of the above, the tension arm and idler pulleys are suspect and should be replaced. If the noise still persists (very uncommon), then the A/C compressor and/or the water pump and/or the power steering pump are suspect (in that order). Long story short, all of these noises are typically benign and are just part of the beast. I hope this helps. Best Regards, Shipo
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Replying to: shipo (Oct 18, 2007 3:16 am) I have a 03 dodge grand caravan, 3.3L engine, with only 36000 miles on it & it has noise like a tick or knock. It had this noise when I bought it in 03, didn't think much of it thought it must be normal. Then I read on a forum some where that the 3.3L / 3.8L used the same head bolt as the 2.2L, but they used a larger washer for the 3.3L / 3.8L. The head bolt washer was large enough to decompress a valve spring when installed, if not careful. So that got me thinking, & that's not good, but anyway I have been checking everything & coming up with nothing. My dealer said it was normal but of course I didn't believe him right ?  He just wants to get rid of me .  So I thought anyway. Then I start looking all over the internet & Lo & Behold last night I stumble onto carspace automotive forum, & there I find it, this wonderful article you wrote on Common noises from the 3.3 and 3.8 engine line, YA HOOOoooooo the very thing that my 3.3 is doing. Thank You Very Much for this article, now I can just drive & enjoy the ride again. Thank You again Denny
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Replying to: dlstarry (Jan 31, 2008 9:12 am)  Best Regards, Shipo |
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