1. Home
  2. Chrysler Cars
  3. 94 Caravan antifreeze leak. . .ideas? estimate?

94 Caravan antifreeze leak. . .ideas? estimate?

I try to figure out how to repair this thing myself as much as I can, but this one is out of my league. I've had an antifreeze leak for a while (although the van has sat idle for the past year). It's coming from near the back of the engine, and not from any hoses that I can see. I got under it, and still don't see anything (although I'm not sure what I'm looking for). From reading around online I'm guessing maybe the head gaskets? Are there any other possibilities, and could anyone tell me roughly how much I could expect to pay for the repair? I need to figure out whether I pay to get it back in shape, or take it to the junkyard. It still runs very well, so I'm hoping it's not much.

Any help is very much appreciated.

Reply to
about_that_time
Loading thread data ...

Good possibility. What engine is in your Caravan?

Reply to
Daniel J. Stern

Not sure which engine, but the 3.0 has a crossover tube that runs across the top of the engine. Mine had same symptoms as you indicate (though mine was also dripping on top of transmission housing). Turned out the O-ring between the two sections of cross-over tube was bad. Replaced it and leak no more.

Reply to
PC Medic

I have a 94 GC with the 3.3 l engine (pretty much the same as the

3.8).

When I purchased the van, it had a small amount of coolant loss. I had it inspected before purchase and the verdict was that it was the head gasket.

I managed to get a price reduction in the van and had the head gasket replaced. I thought this would be a good thing since I could then get an indication of the internal engine condition. Internally, my engine was in great shape, and the heads were near purfect (minimal planing to true).

Ever since the head gasket was done, I have not lost so much as one drop of coolant.

The leak in my engine was on the back of the engine, and near the corner of the back on the passengers side of the vehicle. And it pretty much had to be on a hoist to be seen - but the mechanic knew exactly what he was looking at.

Use the genuine Chrysler head gasket as it is beter quality that after-market, and it is also WAY cheaper.

Not sure how labour is where you are, but it cost me $1100 CDN$ including all taxes, parts, and labour.

hth

Reply to
cloaked

If it's a 3.0 then you might take it to the junkyard, but a 3.3 or 3.8 is worth repairing. However, seriously, don't take it to the junkyard, if you sell it as is you will get more for it than a junkyard will give you, and someone will certainly buy it, even with a leak.

Ted

Reply to
Ted Mittelstaedt

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.