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The Elio Engine

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Ian442

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Horn said:
The issue is the chrysler badge on the front
Click to expand...

Bah. I have a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3L motor with 170,000 miles on it. I have to say its one of best engineered vehicles i've ever owned and i've touched a few brands.

The Dodge just runs, its pretty easy to assemble and disassemble as well. I have put a new water pump, new power steering pump, EGR valve, Alternator and brakes, plus tune ups and fluid changes.

The power steering was completely my fault. Nowhere did I see about using ATF-4 in the power steering system so I wound up burning out the pump at about 160,000 miles.

I have changed out the transmission filter, and was surprised at how easy and relatively inexpensive it was for me to do that. ($30 filter kit and 4 qts of fluid).

Shop wanted $150 plus to just flush the whole transmission out. I paid it at 80,000 miles but I researched and saw how easy it was to do and at 160,000 did the work myself.

I also have two GM products...and truthfully they were pretty simple to work on as well. I think this whole "American cars are junk" thing really needs to be put to bed for good.
 
Jambe

Jambe

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I have a 2004 Caravan (3.3) with just 87000 miles on it. The only thing I have done to it is change the spark plugs, although after letting the battery discharge twice I expect I will soon have to replace it--after 11 years.
 
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Ian442

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Jambe said:
I have a 2004 Caravan (3.3) with just 87000 miles on it. The only thing I have done to it is change the spark plugs, although after letting the battery discharge twice I expect I will soon have to replace it--after 11 years.
Click to expand...

Whatever you do if it ever needs power steering fluid...Please use ATF-4 automatic transmission fluid. If you use power steering fluid I am thinking something about the viscosity of it or something to that effect.

Also as an added FYI - when its time to change said power steering fluid you're going to have to replace the reservoir because it has a filter in the bottom of it that can't easily be cleaned. its just quicker and easier to change the reservoir out...think it has maybe 3 bolts to it.
 
Johnapool

Johnapool

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Ian442 said:
Bah. I have a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3L motor with 170,000 miles on it. I have to say its one of best engineered vehicles i've ever owned and i've touched a few brands.

The Dodge just runs, its pretty easy to assemble and disassemble as well. I have put a new water pump, new power steering pump, EGR valve, Alternator and brakes, plus tune ups and fluid changes.

The power steering was completely my fault. Nowhere did I see about using ATF-4 in the power steering system so I wound up burning out the pump at about 160,000 miles.

I have changed out the transmission filter, and was surprised at how easy and relatively inexpensive it was for me to do that. ($30 filter kit and 4 qts of fluid).

Shop wanted $150 plus to just flush the whole transmission out. I paid it at 80,000 miles but I researched and saw how easy it was to do and at 160,000 did the work myself.

I also have two GM products...and truthfully they were pretty simple to work on as well. I think this whole "American cars are junk" thing really needs to be put to bed for good.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree with your last statement even if I become lightning rod for it.
My latest experience is my little 2000 Ford Ranger 4.0 4x4 pickup. Had to have a new starter at 70K, now with 100K it has a leaking head gasket that allows a bit of antifreeze into the engine. I traded off two Toyota Previa vans each with 250K, and other than CV joints, tires and brakes, NEVER repaired them. (right now we have a 1991 Previa that just reached 100K) My current 2005 Scion xB, made by Toyota, has 144K and has never even needed the braked replaced yet.
My son has a 2006 Ford F250 that has cost him over $8000 in repairs since it rolled over 100k. A friend had one of those Dodge Caravans, like you had. He did get almost 200,000 miles on it, three transmissions later, and it was smoking like a demon by the time he traded it off.
I am for all of us buying American products, and I do my best. However, I am a retired person with less spending power than I had a few years ago, and I need a car that will last 10-15 years without expensive repairs.
I know lots of you are high on American cars, but statistics don't lie. Read the Consumer's Report annual buyers guide car section and get back with me.
 
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