Ask the Car People.SM


Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Voyager Engine or Oil Pump

13 messages,  Last post on Feb 06, 2010 at 2:31 PM

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

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Voyager, Plymouth Voyager, Van

Messages Page 2 of 2

#4 of 13 Re: Engine or Oil Pump [dlucks1212] by shipo

May 15, 2008 (6:40 am)

Replying to: dlucks1212 (May 15, 2008 5:35 am)
Needless to say, diagnosing problems such as this over the internet is difficult. That said, it sounds like you're describing an engine that was run long enough with low/no oil flow, and that fried one or more of your engine bearings. If that's the case (and a second opinion might well be worth your time here), then yes, you're going to be needing some expensive repairs. That said, the 3.3 and 3.8 liter Chrysler engines (virtual twins) are well known for being extremely robust and for providing hundreds of thousands of miles with relatively minimal maintenance (i.e. primarily just oil and filters, with an occasional PCV, set of spark plugs and wires thrown in for good measure). With that in mind, you may decide that you'll just be better off buying a used engine from a junk yard (these vans are popular and as such, most bone yards have several examples that have been wrecked and still have serviceable engines) for ~$500. Assuming that you don't put the engine in yourself, you should be able to find someone that will yank the old one and put the used one in for something less than $1,000, making the total repair roughly half of what you were quoted.
 
Regarding the transmissions on these vans. While vans prior to 2001 used basically the same transmission as the one in your van, there were a number of differences, particularly the type of fluid used. The older vans came from the factory with ATF+3, a conventional transmission fluid that had roughly a 30,000 mile life, however, your van (and all vans since) came with new Group III synthetic oil based ATF+4. This new fluid is good for at least 100,000 miles (the factory fill in our 2003 has nearly 110,000 miles on it and it's still going strong), and along with the other revisions Chrysler made in the transmission, you should be able to get an easy 200,000 miles out of the transmission before it fails (if it ever fails at all).
 
A cautionary note on your transmission: A significant majority of the transmission failures on these vans can be traced to the fluid in the transmission. In fact, for a long time even Dodge, Plymouth, and Chrysler dealers refused to stock the "expensive" Chrysler fluid and used the "cheap" Dextron or Mercon fluids (both of which WILL cause a transmission failure within several thousand miles of their introduction into the transmission) as a means if increasing their profit. Fortunately the dealership base has been enlightened regarding this issue for at least the last decade, however, many service centers (iffy boob, Pep-Boyz...) still insist on using the GM or Ford fluid and then adding some magic elixir that allegedly makes it compatible with ATF+4 (NOT!). They can insist all they want, that crud ain't goin' in my transmission. Long story short, if you are going to have your transmission serviced, go to your dealer and have it done properly (i.e. a pan drop, a filter change, and a top off of new ATF+4). Do not, errr, let me say that again, DO NOT opt for a "transmission flush", there is considerable evidence that this type of service will kill your transmission as well.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#5 of 13 Help Removing crankshaft gear by knightcamry

Mar 21, 2009 (8:36 am)

Hi
I need to know how to remove the crankshaft timing pulley on a 1992 Camry. I want to remove the oil pump so I can take out the oil seal which is stuck.
Here is what I tried:
 - tried using the two screw driver method to remove the seal after taking off the face of the oil pump. I was told it should come out easy but it is stuck.
- now I am attempting to take off the oil pump and see if I can just knock out the seal that way
 
Note: I don't have the special tool to remove the crankshaft pulley.
Question: Is there a way to remove the pulley without the tool?
Or is there a better way to achieve my objective(getting out the oil seal)?
 
I am not a mechanic but am not afraid to learn.
Can someone help?
Thanks,
Patrick

#6 of 13 Re: Help Removing crankshaft gear [knightcamry] by shipo

Mar 21, 2009 (10:31 am)

Replying to: knightcamry (Mar 21, 2009 8:36 am)
The first thing you might want to do is to post over in a Camry related topic, this discussion is for Chrysler minivans.
 
Best regards,
Shipo

#7 of 13 Audi A6 Oil Pump by ppc2

Jul 16, 2009 (3:58 am)

2006 model - 85,000 miles - automatic. Full service history with authorised dealer. Timing belt replaced in June. Oil pump failed for no appearant reason. Have been advised that the engine need to be replaced. Has anybody experienced this problem?

#8 of 13 Re: Audi A6 Oil Pump [ppc2] by shipo

Jul 16, 2009 (4:25 am)

Replying to: ppc2 (Jul 16, 2009 3:58 am)
Uhhh, does your Audi A6 have a Chrysler minivan engine in it? If not, we're probably not the folks to be asking.
 
You might want to consider asking your question over here:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef0c3ff/1167#MSG1167
 
Best regards,
Shipo

#9 of 13 Jacqueline147 by jacqueline147

Nov 16, 2009 (8:31 am)

where is the oil pump located on a 2004 tracker and how to change it?

#10 of 13 Re: Jacqueline147 [jacqueline147] by shipo

Nov 16, 2009 (9:51 am)

Replying to: jacqueline147 (Nov 16, 2009 8:31 am)
Note to the moderators: We might need to shut this topic down as these minivans have few if any problems with their oil pumps, that and it seems that we are getting requests about unrelated vehicles made by other companies.

#11 of 13 Re: Jacqueline147 [jacqueline147] by KarenS HOST

Nov 16, 2009 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: jacqueline147 (Nov 16, 2009 8:31 am)
Try posting your question in the Chevy Tracker group: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f0a0463

#12 of 13 Re: Jacqueline147 [shipo] by KarenS HOST

Nov 16, 2009 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Nov 16, 2009 9:51 am)
I edited the title so that it refers strictly to the Caravan/Voyager. That should help with the confusion.

#13 of 13 oil light goes on by fmlederer

Feb 06, 2010 (2:31 pm)

I have a 1998 van with 3.3 motor. the oil light goes on , but the engine runs fine. no noise or knock. I changed the sending unit but still happens. is there a second oil port that I can hook up a oil gauge instead of the light?

Messages Page 2 of 2

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement