Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Vans & Minivans Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Caravan/Voyager Engine Problems
92 messages, Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 7:42 AM
You are in the Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Forum. Your Host is Karens
| 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. | |
|
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
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
Replying to: dlstarry (Jan 31, 2008 9:12 am)  Best Regards, Shipo |
|
| I just bought mt first Grand Voyager you won't believe the deal I got it is the classic tale of the little old lady who could no longer drive. it is a 1994 with only 55000 miles on it. in mint condetation. it is the LE model. i need to know iv it came with the tow package, the VIN number is 1p4gh54l3rx214831. Does anyone out there know what options came standard with this van and is there any way that I can find out what options were ordered with it. please help if you can. Thanks Lew. | |
|
|
i have a 96 voyager 3.0 that knocks not when i start it but about 2 3 min after and then it goes away after about 5 min but comes back sometimes when im driving .and i think im geting loss of power (its my grams van lookin at it for her) but it dont knock all the time .i drove it about 60 miles stoped reved the motor no noise. changed the oil slicked 50 it. started it no noise let it set all night and back to the same thing the motor has 100.000 miles on it oil changed every 3000 the van is ment dont know if the motor is bad (rode bearing ) or if its the crank sensor
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: bounyhuner (Mar 17, 2008 6:45 am) i was also told it was the motor that was bad
|
|
|
Replying to: bounyhuner (Apr 02, 2008 1:00 am) I bought used 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SE, on April 17, 2008 (not even a month yet) from HENDRICK DODGE : Leading Dodge Dealership in Cary, North Carolina, NC Almost after a week this problem is happening, it is very random. It happened 3 times. Last time it happened at 15-20 miles per hour while I was making a right turn. The engines shuts down and steering locks. I could have met with a major accident last time when it happened. Took to the dealer from where I bought, he is saying that he could not reproduce the problem, so, as far as he is concerned, there is no problem. But this is major safety issue, it can pose great danger since it can cause major accident. I also got the full extended service warranty (full bumper to bumper) from Chrysler, they are not helping me either. They are saying since this vehicle is bought not even a month back, the problem came with the vehicle, they are asking the dealer to fix it. Any advice? |
|
I have a 2000 dodge caravan. Wife was driving it yesterday when it experienced a loss of power and shut down while driving home. Let it sit for awhile, and it started back up. I drove it to work this morning, same thing. I had a similar problem with a 94 pontiac and it was the equivialant of a bad pickup sensor. Once the sensor cooled down, you could drive it until it got hot again and everything shut down. Relplaced the one in the pontiac and have had no problems since then. I plan on replacing the one in the van this week. Any other suggestions in case this is not the problem??? Thanks for any help you all can give me.
|
|
|
Replying to: ksmedic (May 18, 2008 5:08 am) Bob |
|
You are here:
Forums
Vans & Minivans Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Caravan/Voyager Engine Problems
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2007 Dodge Caravan
2003 Chrysler Voyager
2000 Plymouth Voyager
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
