1999 caravan takes a dump

[monkeydude3]

Hey everyone~ Well I'm relatively new to this forum as I am a ford/chevy guy and haven't owned many dodges, but to me a car is a car. My friend's dad has a 1999 dodge grand caravan with a 3.8L v6. around 90,000 on the clock. Here's the problem, my friend, she was driving home in it when all of a sudden (what she tells me) is it started to make a loud tapping noise and then she heard a "pffft" and the engine was dead. This pfft was accompanied by plumes of blue/black smoke out the back that covered the rear of the car in this weird sooty stuff. I came over about a week ago to check on it (been too busy to jump online) and popped the hood. The entire engine compartment is damp with oil and coolant. There was a pool of coolant on the transmission as well. I looked at the engine and there is a pool of oil by the intake manifold by the cylinder head/valve cover. I then asked them the maintenance records on this car. He said he had the coolant flushed last year (good). I pulled the dipstick and the oil looks like something out of the tar-pits. I asked him when that was changed last. "oh we did that last summer too" WTF? SOOO I have a feeling that a lack of maintenance is to blame, but I am wondering what you guys think took a crap on this engine. What is known to break on them? Are they SUPPOSED to last longer if you take care of them? And also, would it be worth it to find a good used low milage engine, or would it be better to buy a long block from the dealer and have them install it? Visually inside and out, this car looks brand new. With the exception of the engine. Any input would be greatly appreciated, I am probably going to direct her dad to this forum eventually Thanks all in advance George

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[Kolhoznik]

And here I was stuck thinking about what could happen if you don't change oil forever....thank you for answering that. Now as far as your question goes...I'd get a new longblock...

[monkeydude3]

yeah see I thought it was a random engine dying scenario until he said last year was the last oil change


what would a long block cost, and what would the cost be to install it? her dad wants me to get prices if I can

[Kolhoznik]

a rebuilt shortblock with a nice warranty shouldn't be more than 1500-1700. Labor...depends on how much beer you give your mechanic beforehand...

[monkeydude3]

haha... he's probably gonna have it done by a dealer or shop. I do not want to touch it, it's more of a project than I can take on right now