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#31090 of 32000 Re: Question about Corvair influence [dieselone]
by fintail
Jan 23, 2013 (9:03 am)
IIRC they didn't get a V6 until 1987 - and I don't know how reliable that unit was either - but I know they eventually started eating transmissions. I recall there was also a turbo variant.
#31091 of 32000 Re: Question about Corvair influence [fintail]
by andre1969
Jan 23, 2013 (9:07 am)
I think the V-6 was the Mitsubishi 3.0. From what I've heard, it wasn't a horrible engine, although it would often start burning oil and puffing blue smoke, usually before 90,000 miles.
Also, for a few years, to get a little extra power, the Mitsubishi 2.6 "Silent Shaft" "Hemi" was offered. It only had a few more hp than the 2.2, but it had more torque, and a broader torque curve.
I wonder how the old, early 4-cyl Aerostars and Astro/Safaris compared? They had similar power to the Mopar 2.2, but I'm sure were considerably heavier.
#31092 of 32000 Re: Question about Corvair influence [fintail]
by busiris
Jan 23, 2013 (9:20 am)
- but I know they eventually started eating transmissions.
Yes. My wife bought a 1990 Voyager and it had the relatively new 4-speed automatic that imploded at 77K miles/4+ years.
Still, Chrysler stepped up and replaced it at a $0 cost to us, which I though was "stand up", since it was out of warranty. That extra effort by Chrysler led to the sale of 2 more T & C minivans and 4 other Chrysler products over the next 12 years.
Predictably, Chrysler's refusal to address the oil burning issue on my 2000 Concorde (from day one and all throughout the warranty period) costs them any future sales from me. See how saving a few dollars on warranty claims really adds up?
#31093 of 32000 Re: Question about Corvair influence [fintail]
by imidazol97
Jan 23, 2013 (10:48 am)
The Chryser vans were like riding in a car.
>but I know they eventually started eating transmissions.
Did the 4-cylinder models have 3-speed transmissions and the 6-cylinders have 4-speed trannies?
I recall hearing about people having repeated problems with transmissions fairly early and then I bought a new GM car with a 4-speed transmission. My salesman, part owner of the dealership, warned me to use 3rd if I was in slower speed suburban driving with starts and stops where the trans could shift in and out of OD. He said that slow rotation speed in 4th gear lessened the rate of flow of transmission fluid due to slow pump speed and gave higher temperatures in the transmission leading to failures.
I believe he alluded to the Chrysler transmissions saying that was a cause of their problems. It made sense, with slower air speeds at less than highway speed to cool the radiator trans cooler and the transmission itself, that the transmission would run hotter.
#31094 of 32000 Re: Question about Corvair influence [imidazol97]
by fintail
Jan 23, 2013 (11:08 am)
The 6cyl models must have had a different unit. I don't remember the 4cyls having any notorious flaws, but the V6s through the late 90s had the transmission issue, and the earlier V6s the aforementioned smoking issue.
In 1997, an old friend of mine bought a 1990 Caravan ES - the super loaded now rarely seen model. His was a V6, not the turbo. He was only maybe 19 when he bought it, fell in love with it somehow - made me chuckle. It was a pristine lower mileage car, in the typical dark red with grey trim (I think) exterior, and a plush matching interior. 48 hours after purchase, it was dead in his driveway - transmission puked. Luckily, he bought it from the local dealer, who replaced the unit without complaint. The new one had no problems in several years of driving.
I am pretty sure it was in late 97 when my dad bought his fanciest vehicle ever, a loaded T&C. That transmission lasted roughly 6 months. But the replacement was fine.
#31095 of 32000 Re: Question about Corvair influence [andre1969]
by fintail
Jan 23, 2013 (11:18 am)
I can't even imagine a 4cyl Aerostar or Astro - would have had 1950s MB diesel acceleration, no doubt. Heck, when I was a kid, I remember my uncle telling me about someone he knew with a 4cyl Ciera - I could barely believe that.
#31096 of 32000 Re: Question about Corvair influence [fintail]
by ateixeira
Jan 23, 2013 (11:41 am)
I drove a really early V6 and thought it was a 4 banger. I can't imagine the 4 banger (sans turbo).
A neighbor from my previous house used to eat through those, he'd put tons of miles and I don't think he ever got more than 80k out of a trans. IIRC he went through 3 of those vans while I lived in that house, which was from 93 to 96.
His wife drove an Accord and owned it the whole time.
#31097 of 32000 Re: Question about Corvair influence [fintail]
by dieselone
Jan 23, 2013 (11:50 am)
I can't even imagine a 4cyl Aerostar or Astro
Me either. Back in HS I knew a guy who's grandpa had a v6 Astro with a manual trans. It was pretty quick and good do some nice smokey burnouts;)
My grandma had a late 80's Aerostar with a 2.8 or 3.0 v6 IIRC , it certainly didn't feel fast. A 4cyl would have been a dog.
#31098 of 32000 Re: Question about Corvair influence [dieselone]
by ateixeira
Jan 23, 2013 (12:03 pm)
My 91 Escort GT has the same fabric on the seats (velvetty gray with red piping) as the same era Aerostar. It was a funny detail to notice.
#31099 of 32000 Re: Question about Corvair influence [busiris]
by steve_ HOST
Jan 23, 2013 (12:20 pm)
My wife bought a 1990 Voyager and it had the relatively new 4-speed automatic that imploded at 77K miles/4+ years.
We had the 4 cylinder and the transmission was fine. Had head gasket issues but the warranty at the time was 7/70 and I only wound up paying $100 for the one out of warranty repair.
Chrysler's minivan was one of the first concept cars I got excited about, ~5 years before they were introduced. I had driven a VW Bus for a year, but the flat floored, FWD minivan was a game changer.
And GM has nothing for that slot.