Working on Grand Caravan

[Coach James]

I finally got the time to replace the egr valve on my G.C. this week. Went to Advance Auto yesterday to get it and not in stock. Not at NAPA either. Plus there are two shown for my van as Dodge apparently put on valve on some 2005's and a different one on other 2005's. Thanks Dodge. The counter guy at Advance doesn't know the difference but finally says they both work but one(more expensive one) is better. Wrong. You have to look at the VIN to see which valve you need. I wonder how many people were sold the wrong valve?

Anyway they have to order it so I say I'll look some more. Only store in town that has it is CarQuest but they don't have the gasket for joining the egr tube to the manifold but will order it. Be here by 3pm today.

Start taking off old valve. Three bolts come off in less than 5 minutes. 4th is in terrible location under the valve. Can't get a socket on it flush due to alternator. Thanks Dodge. I grind a socket to fit and it breaks on first try. Finally have to push the valve CC wise then use a stubby 10mm open end wrench to rotate the bolt 0.00000000000000001 degrees at a time till it is loose. Of course bolt head gets rounder but thankfully new valve comes with new bolts. Put on new valve and lower bolt is pita to put back in due to alternator and zero room. Getting torque correct will be another pita.

Now just waiting for CarQuest to get egr tube gasket so I can finish. Another 1/16" of space between egr valve and alternator and there would have been no problem!

Coach

[billymade]

I've been working on Dodge/Jeep vehicles lately; I don't like them! They seem harder to work on, access wise, then other brands.... your not alone!

[krusty the clown]

mitsubishi engine?

[peter_x]

mitsubishi engine?

The 3.0, right? I think they stopped using this engine in 2000 when they stopped using the Torque-Flite transmission.

[Major Ramifications]

The dealer is the place to go for parts like this. I had many of the same issues on my '93 Ford Crown Vic years ago, but I got the parts from the dealer and got it done. For some reason it seemed like EVERY freakin' part I bought for the Crown Vic I always had to give the counter guy the build date, as they apparently made a lot of changes that year. It's not just Dodge.

[Coach James]

I actually went to dealer a few days ago for a pcv valve and couldn't get anyone to help me. I waited over 10 minutes at the parts counter and nobody ever came out. There was some guy around the corner talking to somebody but he never came out weither. Several employees walked by but none acknowledged I was standing there. I finally left and got it at NAPA.

I now wish I had gone to the dealer for today's parts despite their sorry service. Or had orded everything a week ago. I just never thought an egr valve would be such a big deal.

My dad had a Crown Vic and liked it a lot except for some parts. He needed an oil pan gasket and the dealer wanted over $150 for it. Just the part, not installation.

Coach

Coach

[porschedude996TT]

I hated my wife's G.C. with a purple passion. Worst vehicle I ever owned.

[bchee]

Another 1/16" of space between egr valve and alternator and there would have been no problem!

Coach

What's the problem? Now you have an excuse to get more tools for limited clearance? You just need a 138 tooth ratchet:)

[Coach James]

I wonder how the Dodge techs would get that bolt out?

Coach

[rhandwor]

Be careful after market EGR valves some times have spacers or washers for different engines read instructions before trying to install.

[bgott]

3.3, eh? That's a part you want to buy from the dealer. It comes with the transducer when you buy it from the dealer and that is probably what is making your light come on. I did one a couple of months ago, I remember one of the bolts being a PITA but I don't remember it being insurmountable. I'm getting to where I'd rather have dealer parts on anything to do with the computerized control on a car for two reasons, price and calibration. I've been screwed by aftermarket parts too many times.

[Treeman]

Once in a great while you get a pleasant surprise and the dealer part is less than aftermarket. This was the case with my Caravan blower motor resister.

[SpiderGearsMan]

motivated dealer
that may be a problem at chrysler these days

parts guys are usually slackers and you must give them extra time to put down the cookie and get to the parts counter

[Coach James]

motivated dealer
that may be a problem at chrysler these days

parts guys are usually slackers and you must give them extra time to put down the cookie and get to the parts counter

:lol_hitti

Well, I got the new valve on, put the tube back on, torqued the bolts I could get a torque wrench on and gave it a 30 minutes test ride. No more check engine light and nice smooth ride , not the jerky ride I was getting. Just have to reset all the radio stations and clock as I disconnected the battery for a few minutes before driving it per the instructions in the box.

Coach

[Major Ramifications]

I hated my wife's G.C. with a purple passion. Worst vehicle I ever owned.

What specifically didn't you like about it? I am asking because I plan on buying one within the next year.

[Big Bad Jon]

What specifically didn't you like about it? I am asking because I plan on buying one within the next year.

I hope you are good at rebuilding trannys? That is the first complaint I would have with it. Rust is another issue I have seen.

[billymade]

While, these are primarily "complaints only" and a sample that might not show a perfect picture; it would be a good place to start! These might show what the common failure/complaints about these vehicles are:

http://www.dodgeproblems.com/Grand_Caravan/

We are maintaining a small fleet for a medical transport service; we have seen:
(I don't know the specific years)

1. transmission failures; requiring a rebuild. note: Transmission shop owner's wife owns one; he is convinced that trans is not matched well to the vehicle and not heavy duty enough.

2. jerky steering action (rack pinion); requiring retrofitting longer steering hoses to equalize pressure. (tech bulletin on this issue)

One interesting thing of note:

Dodge seems to now offer a "Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty with unlimited mileage"; maybe, the amount of failures they are having is affecting sales (even more so then the economy)? Check out the details here: http://www.dodge.com/en/lifetime_powertrain_warranty/

[TruckTech]

parts guys are usually slackers and you must give them extra time to put down the cookie and get to the parts counter


:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti :lol_hitti

[toolnut]

Man I love parts stories!!! I was a GM parts guy for 10+ years. Parts counter guys are nowadays basically stock clerks. Unless you were around the old school parts guys that knew a thing or two. Thanks to the fact that dealers don't pay anymore and parts stores the same you end up with some clown behind the counter that has no clue and needs the computer to tell him or tells you it's not listed here. Back in the day when we had paper catalogs it was "wise to memorize". If you walked up to my counter I would always try to make the sale or call a friend down at the local parts store to hook you up. That way maybe next time I would make the sale because I went the xtra mile for ya. Nowadays they punch the vin in and still can't get it right!!!:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti Sometimes I miss the counter but nothing beats a government mechanics job. Now I get to beat the guy up behind the counter!!!:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti :lol_hitti

[toolnut]

parts guys are usually slackers and you must give them extra time to put down the cookie and get to the parts counter

Now that's damn funny!!!!:thumbup:

[Mr_fixit]

Wouldn't an egr valve be a emission part and covered by their emission warranty?

[Moose-LandTran]

I've swapped a turbo on a diesel Grand Voyager (same S**t, different name) Oh what a joy to work on.. Granted, swapping a turbo is rarely a straight-forward job.

[vssjim]

A EGR valve sold by Standard is the exact same part as sold by FIAT-UAW Corp. , comes with all the hoses, bolts and transducer etc.