98 caravan 3.3 antifreeze issue help again

crazycraig68 · #1 10-25-2009, 05:27 PM

sorry guys, i have a few more questions. i got under the van again today as i saw a drip on the carport floor again from it just sitting there for 2 days. i looked as best as i could, and it looks like the waterpump bolts on to some housing that has the heater hose and lower radiator hose attatched. I was wondering where they connected as it is not on the actual water pump. Now where this housing thing bolts to engine it seems there may be a small leak between those 2 pieces, so it may not be the water pump. i do not have my shop manual yet, so can anyone tell me what that housing is called or is it simply the water pump housing? and if you take the housing off the engine to replace that gasket, what is that gasket called? I am hoping this has nothing to do with the intake. from what i can tell, even if it is the waterpump that is leaking and now this other gasket thing, why would i smell the smell of antifreeze when van is warm as it would seem to me the antifreeze would just drip straight down on the ground? i hate to be so damn stupid and confused, i just want to get her fixed.

This ad is not displayed to registered and logged-in members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Dodge Forums!

master tech · #2 10-25-2009, 06:15 PM

Heater hose going into the water pump housing will get a pin hole and leak under pressure. Also ck the hose clamps on the radiator hoses too. The spring clamps do break.

92dak5.24x4 · #3 10-25-2009, 07:17 PM

if you just take the whole van to a mechanic and let them fix it you wont be confused and you wont have to post all the problems your having. you dont have the necessarry tools to fix it like a cooling system pressure tester.

crazycraig68 · #4 10-25-2009, 11:18 PM

i thought this forum was to post all the problems i am having??? i do try to fix some things myself b4 i have to pay big bucks for any mechanic to do it, and so i do post on here as i have gotten some great help in the past. my shop manual is on its way and that will help a great deal. sorry if i pissed you off man, that wasn't my intent.

lghtngblt02 · #5 10-26-2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92dak5.24x4

if you just take the whole van to a mechanic and let them fix it you wont be confused and you wont have to post all the problems your having. you dont have the necessarry tools to fix it like a cooling system pressure tester.

Lighten up man, no need to be negative or shoot the guy down! Crazycraig68 is just like any other person including yourself, looking for advice and info to try and save a few bucks and do the job himself, well versed in mechanics or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycraig68

i thought this forum was to post all the problems i am having??? i do try to fix some things myself b4 i have to pay big bucks for any mechanic to do it, and so i do post on here as i have gotten some great help in the past. my shop manual is on its way and that will help a great deal. sorry if i pissed you off man, that wasn't my intent.

Dont be sorry! Nothing to be sorry over or about. I hope you continue on posting for advice or helping others here. And dont worry about if you are unsure of what exactly something is called. Thats what most of us are here for, to help or be helped.

As for your problem, I would have to agree with Master Tech on his possible prognosis. If its not that I would sooner say its the water pump itself leaking, near the propellor shaft. I mean it is possible for the gasket to leak, but I would look to the latter. I am not aware of the history on the Van but I am assuming its all original? How many miles are on it?

circumventor · #6 10-26-2009, 09:38 AM

why yall posting same prob in new posting? yall sounds likeit's been figgured out in the first post with a water pump? thems pretty ez to do. all yall need is a 15mm wrench, 13mm, 10mm a bucket, jack and jackstand. like said aint much more than a 30min job on these 3.3/3.8 moters

master tech · #7 10-26-2009, 12:04 PM

Just one bit of information, The front cylinder head gasket will start leaking and look like a water pump or timing cover leaking.

crazycraig68 · #8 10-26-2009, 12:21 PM

circumventor, i thought i had it figured out in the first post also. i wanted to make sure by posting a 2nd time that i would get some more great advice, and i have so far. You may feel it is easy to do the job with all the tools you mentioned, but keep in mind not all of us are mechanics, thats why we are here!

lghtngblt02, thanks for understanding and I appreciate your posting!

i found a guy who works for a dealer who is ase certified that works from his home garage on the weekends for extra cash. I am bringing the van to him on friday the 6th, for him to do a pressure test to determine the exact problem. Due to the fact that it could be several things wrong, like you all on this forum have advised me, he said not to buy anything yet. There is a napa and an orieleys near his home and he will go get what it needs after consulting with me. i did tell him all the heater hoses, being original, i want replaced as well weather they look good or not. the van is 11 years old and just hit 117k. oh, and as far as regular maintenance, they took it to the dealer for about 6 years, then would do some work themselves or at a goodyear. i have a stack of slips from all the work they have done. they took very very good care of this van. besides the minor leak i now have, the van runs and drives like new. After I get the van back in November, i will let you all know what all had to be done.

Thanks again to all of you for your advice.

circumventor · #9 10-26-2009, 12:48 PM

i was under the impressing yall want to do this job. purty hard for the internet to figgure out a leak wehn we cant see it.

crazycraig68 · #10 10-26-2009, 02:07 PM

Even though I do not have to explain myself to you or anyone else, I will in this case. I did want to do the job myself if it was an easy fix. I have some tools, and some knowledge however, not knowing exactly what it is, I will turn to the professionals. People come here to get advice from others who may have had the same thing go wrong with a car they may have owned in the past or currently. I agree, it is hard for someone on the internet to figure out a problem but that is the entire purpose of this forum. Read some of the previous posts to mine here, even the moderator agrees.