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Vans & Minivans Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager-Dodge Caravan Real World MPG
40 messages, Last post on Oct 29, 2008 at 1:13 PM
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In message # 8 I reported that our 1998 typically gets about 23 mpg highway (on E10 fuel) now that it's fully broken in. What I didn't mention was that occasionally I've taken it real easy on long road trips (something that is difficult for me to do) and gotten as high as 26.0 mpg for a single tank of fuel (about 450 miles). Well, last week when there was 143,625 miles on the van I replaced the head gaskets due to a slow but annoying coolant leak. I finished that job last Saturday and then promptly fired'er up and took'er on a 2,000 mile road trip. On the way out I was delightfully surprised to see the OBC registering average mpg readings that hovered within a few tenths either way of 26.0 mpg, and I wasn't even taking it easy. Hmmm... Thursday as I was heading home I filled the van about fifteen miles outside of Port Huron, MI and then proceeded to drive 505 miles to Albany, NY before stopping again for my next tank of gas. Yes I took it easy (I kept the Cruise Control at about 67), even still I encountered a 10 mile long construction related traffic jam/bumper to bumper crawl and two international border crossings to negotiate. In the end the OBC registered an astounding 28.2 mpg, nearly 10% higher than my best reading ever. Not too shabby for an old 3.8 liter DGC with over 145,000 miles on it.  Best Regards, Shipo
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Replying to: shipo (Jul 14, 2007 12:59 pm)
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Replying to: shipo (Jul 14, 2007 12:59 pm)
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Replying to: xwesx (Jul 16, 2007 5:05 pm) Prior to the head gasket swap that van would typically deliver between 23 and 24 mpg during the summer on a long freeway trip, and more like 21-22 with your 70/30 h/c split. I only have about 2,500 miles on it since I did the gaskets, but so far it seems to be running about two mpg better in all driving environments. Given the rather astounding jump in mileage I find myself wondering if that van has had a head-gasket leak since we picked it up new in July of 1998. FWIW, when I pulled the heads, the front head had to be kind of cracked loose before it would give up its grip on the head gasket, however, the rear head simply pulled free, no coaxing required. Regarding your van, your mileage sounds just about spot on for an AWD model. 174,000 miles huh? How long before you figure you'll cross 200,000 miles? Best Regards, Shipo
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Replying to: shipo (Jul 16, 2007 7:36 pm)  The only problem that I can see currently cropping up is the dash gauges went dead on my wife and I twice since we purchased it. Both were of short duration (about 2 minutes on me, 5 or so for my wife). I am sitting on it for now until I can either get more information on a real fix or until it gets bad enough that I must address it. I think the sway bar bushings are getting worn and allowing some suspension noise, but it is not bad by any means. I am actually very surprised that this engine does not leak or burn any oil. I check the oil with every fuel fill up (about 320 miles between fills) and it has not even wiggled since I purchased it. It is due for an oil change, so now I have to decide what to run in it. I really liked the Amsoil 0W-30 I put in my 07 Outback, but I do not think I want to swap it over to synthetic at 174K - that is probably asking for a gasket leak to develop in short order, but it really depends on the condition of the gaskets. I check the engine over regularly, and I do not see any other leaks (coolant, transmission, etc). Unfortunately, when asked, the prior owner said he did not have any maintenance paperwork because "all the maintenance was performed by him." Now, he is a certified Chrysler mechanic, so he was likely telling the truth, but I am surprised he did not at least keep a log of when he did what. Maybe I was just supposed to take it on faith that the maintenance was performed at the factory intervals. He did specify that he had done the maintenance on this vehicle since new, and he would change the transmission fluid every 15-25K miles, depending on when the 1st owner would bring it to him. The hardest thing to get used to with it is the FWD torque steer, which is very noticeable. This is the first (primarily) FWD vehicle I have owned. Oh, and the ground clearance is very minimal, which also causes surprises on the rough roads I drive daily. 
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Replying to: xwesx (Jul 17, 2007 12:19 pm) Regarding the sway bar bushings, yeah, I think I hear ours getting a little loose as well, not terribly surprising given the miles. That said, the bushings that Chrysler used on the Gen 4 vans (we have a 2003 too) were junk and needed to be replaced. When I did that job I was delighted to find that it is a relatively simple task with the parts costing only about $11. Regarding your oil, I switched our vans over to Mobil 1 fairly early in their respective lives, and am currently using Mobil 1 0W-40 in them with stellar Used Oil Analysis (UOA) results. After pulling down the top end of engine I'm fairly confident that if you were to switch over to synthetic oil you wouldn't develop any oil leaks as there are basically zero of the old style gaskets that might swell or might be inclined to leak due to being washed off.. Best Regards, Shipo |
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Replying to: shipo (Jul 14, 2007 12:59 pm)
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Replying to: akburb (Oct 09, 2007 1:16 pm) shipo, "Voyager/Caravan leaking coolant" #5, 9 Oct 2007 2:17 pm I'll respond about the head gasket job over there as well. Best Regards, Shipo |
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Replying to: jay81 (Jul 16, 2007 8:55 am) Is your post a typo? You say your mpg improved on your F150 and your Caravan? What exactly did you do to improve mpg in both vehicles?
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