Question for Chrysler / Dodge Techs!

[M5 LiTE]

Gentlemen,

My neighbor has a 2002 (?) Grand Caravan and wants me to do the spark plugs on it. Anything that I should know before accepting the job? Any special tools, procedures, etc that I should know?

I realize that it is a transverse engine, so probably the front plugs will be easy, and the rear ones will be a PITA. I'm used to either V8s or I6s and the plugs on those are straightforward (HAHA).

Thanks guys!

 

[Hoot]

I've done the plugs on the 3.8 in my '03 Grand Caravan. Not extremely hard, but definitely takes some time. I heard one method was to go in from underneath. I don't have a lift, so I went in from the top. Had to do a LOT of it by feel, and my stubby 3/8" drive ratchet with a small variety of extensions came in pretty handy.

 

[BigK600]

I have a 1996 T&C with a 3.8. You have to remove the wiper assembly to get access from the top. Its a real pain in the **** but it can be done. You dont really need any special tools, but some things like wobble extensions or swivles may make it easier. I'd say it could take around 3 hours to get it done.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

The 01's and new GC give you a little more room to get to the rear plugs than earlier years. You can remove the wiper cowl in about 15minutes if necessary.
Make sure you secure the rear plug wires so they do not drap down again the rear exh manifold, you might have to rig up some tie straps in the original clips are brittle and broken.
This is a good time to replace the plug wires if over 100k miles. Also, use only Champion plugs, the same type that came in it.

Edit: The #1 plug is buried close to the alternator bracket; use a little mirror to view it in order to help you remove and install the plug.

 

[c39er]

Yesterday I did a 1999 3.8 Town and Country. To get at the rear plugs I moved the alternator over and off to the side to get at the # 2 plug. Also there is a bracket- 2 15MM bolts I had to remove so the spark plug socket would fit into the #2 spark plug well. The other 2were accessed from underneath the car. Took a little over an hour. Hardest part is to remove the plug wire boots. They get stuck on the plugs. I put new MoPar wires on though and used dielectric grease on the plug boots.

 

[tatra]

champion plugs?..........never use em myself, always go with ngk..........any comments on using other brands in this application as opposed to original equipment?...........

 

[Deafautotech]

that is easy works as i did those thousands times while i worked at chrysler dealership...

i would just pull the wiper assembly out of the way. it will open more room to work on it. most important is DO NOT CROSS THREAD... i do see too many people tried to do and sometime they got it cross thread easy!

I can do tune up less than 1 hour on those 2001 and up caravan as i dont pull wiper assembly out if customer are hurry!! But most of time i just do right job and right time that why i don't have many comeback as i have too many customers who want me to do repairs for them...

you will need common hand tools to do. But i would recommend you to replace plug wires because i tried to pull a plug wire out and the clip inside was broke off and stuck on spark plug. so recommend to replace the plug wires and spark plugs same time...

 

[Deafautotech]

champion plugs?..........never use em myself, always go with ngk..........any comments on using other brands in this application as opposed to original equipment?...........

Caravan are use Champions as platinum (it is good for 80K to 100K miles) but NGK are good too!! i would just use same kind of spark plug as champion then use champion. unless you prefer to use NGK then it is nothing wrong. Chrysler are use either Champions and NGK... But NGK have to replace every 30K miles or it will misfire really easy... normal champion are need replace every 30K miles unless it is Platinum then it is good up to 80K to 100K miles...

 

[tatra]

so andy, chrysler would use ngk as original eqipment on north american ron?..........and what about ngk platinum?...........

 

[Vernmotor]

I do them every day remove the wiper assembly and upper intake..don't make it so hard on yourself. about 03-04 or so they change the upper intake and made them easy..

 

[Deafautotech]

I do them every day remove the wiper assembly and upper intake..don't make it so hard on yourself. about 03-04 or so they change the upper intake and made them easy..

yep... that what i did this. it would look like too hard on first time but when i did this thousand times, it is gravy for me..

 

[Deafautotech]

so andy, chrysler would use ngk as original eqipment on north american ron?..........and what about ngk platinum?...........

i would say "not matter"... i would use either Champion or NGK as not matter which is normal or platinum... if you want platinum then you can do but Don't get Bosch!! it is bad and i would not recommend bosch spark plugs!

 

[Kev442]

Mechanic I know maintains a fleet of caravans for a taxicab company. Will only use the OEM Champions, everything else is a misfire code waiting to happen. FWIW, these vans go over 300k, so he's into them for the long haul.

 

[tatra]

see years ago i had nothing but probs with champion and used autolites and ngk instead and no probs.........champion has always been **** to me...........have they improved?.............

 

[Art From De Leon]

see years ago i had nothing but probs with champion and used autolites and ngk instead and no probs.........champion has always been **** to me...........have they improved?.............

I sincerely doubt it. I learned to hate Champion plugs, they are the only plugs that I have ever managed to break the porcelain on.

IH light duty trucks used to use them, and I believe that they have been OEM on Chrysler products since they began.

 

[boondock29510]

Not to take away from the spark plug subject, but speaking of Chrysler, why put the t-stat in the bottom hose?

 

[Dust]

I never had a problem with the T&Cs, even with the ones that have reduced space. I was always able to just lean over the motor and thread in the plugs by hand, then zap 'em with my air ratchet.

However, my arms are fairly thin, so I can get in there pretty easy. I usually have trouble with the PCV valves on those 3.3/3.8s.

 

[Dragster Racer]

Long skinny arms are the key with these. I have em. I did our '03 3.8 plugs and wires in 40 minutes. No joke. It's the one job I think I was built for! I didn't take anything off, and I think that I used a short extension for all plugs. You definately need to be able to work blind for the rear 3.

 

[Dragster Racer]

I really don't want to hyjack, but this is the right crowd for this question: 03 with 3.8L, new plugs wires and fuel filter. Gentle acceleration to about 40 mph, and then it hunts up and down about 250 rpm. Passenger cannot feel it, but I can and can see on tach. I have been told to load test battery. Alt seems to be putting out correct voltage, but either it or the water pump is howling. I am told it is either the trans acting funny, which I could believe, or the engine performing poorly, which I am also inclined to believe. I just can't seem to diagnose this. Trans fluid was changed a year ago with filter, and ecm reflashed since it acted up after the fluid change. Made the problem much better, but not fixed.

 

[Vernmotor]

Block off the EGR valve ..see if it still does it..If it has one. some did't..Next on the list would be the TPS . Might watch the O2 also..many things could do this..