is the drivetrain and engine reliable

Asked by mhlbdonny Jul 04, 2009 at 08:50 PM about the 1999 Dodge Caravan

Question type: Shopping & Pricing

looking at buying one with 200000 km

8 Answers

35

what is the engine displacement? the 3.3 were garbage, very slow, completely underpowered. Also the transmission that is coupled with that engine is KNOWN to have trouble (i.e. not uncommon to kill 3 or 4 transmissions in hte life of the car) the 3.8 comes with just shy of 00hp as well as something like 210 torque. Fairly powerful engine, i cant complain with mine. The engine i have never really had a problem with, except now I have a lower end problem with oil and i believe the lifters. This is solved by adding Lucas additive every oil change. The transmission coupled with the 3.8, is a 3 speed plus overdrive, never really had a transmission problem, just make sure like with all cars, it doesnt burn trans fluid. (it would be a dark burned colour, its supposed to be red) Oh right, my caravan is at 2708xxkm and is still going well. If you have other questions, as common problems and what not, post again, I hope this helps cheers Nick

3 people found this helpful.
955

Ignore the previous response about the 3.3, there is only 50hp different between the 3.3, and the 3.8, plus better fuel economy. I have personally put over 300kmiles on 6 different 3.3's, and know about 4 other people that have done the same on at least one. As far as the trans go, 90% of the problems come down to a $60usd part, the Trans. Shift Solenoid. I've only replaced 2 out of the 6 I've had, the other 4 I never spent a dime on the trans. in 300k miles, other than changing the fluid and filter. I drive hard, not so much just punching it, but a steady 10mph over the limit, and I have been known to smoke the front tires on these vans with a 3.3. Having said that I would like to have a 3.8 for that extra 50hp/torque, because any extra is something you have.

25 people found this helpful.
955

Forget to say that the 3.3 is known to have a slight tick, sounds like a lifter or a valve, this is a known issue. Chrysler has torn these engines down and can not locate the problem a majority of the time. I have had three that ticked, they started ticking around 100k-150k miles, and I put another 150k-200k on them after it started, with no problem, they actually seemed to run better and get better mileage after it started. It reminds me of the mid-late 1970's 318-V-8 engines. Which the 3.3 is just a 318 minus two cylinders.

14 people found this helpful.
70

I've had several of with both 3.3 & 3.8. Got over 300k on 3 of them. I like the 3.8 better more power but same has millage. Just keep oil changed. The 4th now would have hit 300k but got a deer at 250k. Now have two Dodges with 3.6 hoping it's as good as the older ones.

7 people found this helpful.
30

Just put new transistors in but it still jerks a little when shifting in to park

3 people found this helpful.
80

My grand caravan 2007, 3.3 litre has 410.000.00 kilometers on it. Daily driver and night time, push it on the highway at 135 kph, no problems with motor and tranny. Shifts like a dream 120kph steady cruise on highway, , great gas mileage... recently repaired pretty well everything around motor and tranny..friend of mine had one, puked at 560.000.00 kilometers..

8 people found this helpful.
50

Wife had one in a Caravan. She kept the van when she moved out. about 9 months later she said the car was making a bad noise. I stopped by and yep- it was a really bad noise. Threw a rod. I noted the oil filter had the date and miles written on it- like I do. She had gone 20K miles without changing oil. Don't know if it had any oil in it when it died. Sorry bout that........

5 people found this helpful.
20

do the engine only have acceleration when its in gear? thats a 3.3 engine

2 people found this helpful.

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