Number_35
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No, mine's been fine so far - no spillage at all!Did you notice the PS cap doesn't fully seat on the reservoir and spills over.
No, mine's been fine so far - no spillage at all!Did you notice the PS cap doesn't fully seat on the reservoir and spills over.
I was talking about the original cap.No, mine's been fine so far - no spillage at all!
No problem with leakage from the original reservoir. The pump was noisy, squawking at start-up, and humming loudly thereafter. A Chrysler minivans forum pointed me toward investigating the reservoir. Sure enough, the screen inside was torn. The new reservoir was fairly cheap, and easy to change.I was talking about the original cap.
I know I'm quoting from March '21 but I've wondered about this, too. You hear these horror stories of "gel" but people mix all kinds of coolant everyday not knowing any better, and I've never seen gel. Maybe I just haven't seen enough....07 should be orange ish it’s the 5 year mopar stuff. Some called it red some bottles were different shades than others
I have never seen coolant gelatin like they claim on mixes and I have seen all kinds of stuff mixed. I put a 50/50 5 year and 10 year in a measuring cup for 6 months on top of my tool box when they told us that in 2013 and nothing happened
Ditto - I've heard the horror stories, but have not seen the sludgy gel yet.I know I'm quoting from March '21 but I've wondered about this, too. You hear these horror stories of "gel" but people mix all kinds of coolant everyday not knowing any better, and I've never seen gel. Maybe I just haven't seen enough....
We went the other way - needed something bigger for hauling the grandkids, so gave our '09 Mazda5 to our youngest son, and bought the '07 Grand Caravan. Went old and cheap because the used-car market is so crazy right now.The company I worked for leased Chrysler minivans. I had a 05,06,08 Chryslers. Very little repairs in the 100k lease. I had one fuel pump on the 05. A window lift motor on the 06 and an EGR valve. And only a recall on the 08 for an AC hose. Had tires and brakes for sure but 5K oil and filter and 60K anti freeze flush and fill. No engine problems at all. I bought the )6 with the 3.3 at the end of the lease and wife and I rolled it to 186K before trading it in for our Mazda 5. Still miss the size and comfort of it. That one got 26 on the highway if driven at 68 or 69 mph.
14Accent, you're a prophet or have ESP or something!Glad to hear your van has treated you well. I work on all varieties of vans, and IMO the 3.3/3.8 equipped vans of any generation are the best of the lot. Sure, the 3.6 has tons of power and the benefit of the 6 speed trans, however I've never liked the way they drive. The 3.6 is a peaky engine and the 6-speed shifts like it's constantly confused. The 3.x/42TE combo is tried and proven, regardless of negative opinion.
The main issues have already been covered, so I'll add my .02: The main issues I see with the 3.3/8 are failing lower intake gaskets, leaking trans cooler hoses, and power steering coolers that love to pick up stone chips and leak due to their horrible placement under the van. Outside that, the big issues are mainly electrical. Mopar wiring has never been top notch, and the placement of the ECM/TCM leave much to be desired. I do see the occasional solenoid pack leak from the 42TE, however that's an easy fix. The solenoid pack is external and easily replaced by removing 3 bolts.
14Accent, you're a prophet or have ESP or something!
I forgot to mention that my wife came home one very cold day in February and said there was something wrong with the steering. Indeed, the PS reservoir was empty, and when I refilled it, the fluid disappeared quickly as soon as I started the engine. At -34 C there was no way I was going under the van in the driveway. I limped it to a trusted garage about a km away, and told them I suspected a blown steering rack. Honest folks that they are, they found a blown PS-fluid line, I think to the cooler, and replaced it. Much cheaper than I'd expected.
They did say, though, that I had a moderate leak in the rack, but so far the fluid has not gone down, so I'll live with it for now.
As well, they said that the IM gasket(s) were leaking moderately. I plan to do those soon, as the weather is finally improving. I would likely buy a gasket set from Rock Auto. Any recommendations?
Thanks!
Is this the correct set? (I mean the Fel-Pro MS928081.)I use the Fel-Pro set that includes the upper and lower gaskets. Never lets me down.
Is this the correct set? (I mean the Fel-Pro MS928081.)
Thanks!
View attachment 98582
View attachment 98580
On order, thanks!Yep, that's the one!
I plan to do oil changes at between 5K and 10K (km) depending on driving conditions, and to do a 2.5 quart drain & fill at least annually.The 3.3 with 4 speed is quite reliable. They like frequent oil changes is all. I have 240k kms on mine and it runs and shifts great.
I def. recommend drain and fill with filter for tranny before 100k kms. Then siphon 2-3 litres once a year. It makes a big difference in shift quality for me.
I have had no problems using Prestone universal coolant. Even mixed with factory fill a couple years ago after a coolant leak.
Biggest thing with the trans pan: do NOT try and use any gasket that comes with a kit. The 41TE uses liquid sealant from the factory, and I have yet to find a gasket that seals. I only use Permatex, and I've had no issues to date. Given I have yet to find a pan with a drain plug, your best bet is to invest in a fluid evacuator so you can suck and fill from the dipstick plug.I plan to do oil changes at between 5K and 10K (km) depending on driving conditions, and to do a 2.5 quart drain & fill at least annually.
I had a T&C with the 41TE. I used the gasket that came with the filter (AAP Set). Never leaked, worked fine. The gasket was a rubber type and reusable. I did drop and drains annually and never had any leaks.Biggest thing with the trans pan: do NOT try and use any gasket that comes with a kit. The 41TE uses liquid sealant from the factory, and I have yet to find a gasket that seals.