One more thing....
my friend suggested changing the tensioner for the timing chain while the cover was off.... this appears to be a dealer part; and I don't see where/how in the manual.

Any advise on the tensioner?

It's a 2000 Dodge Grand Cavaran with a 3.3 liter engine.

Thanks!

 

I could be mistaken but I do not believe there is a timing chain tensioner could you be referring to the crankshaft sprocket??

 

Perhaps. The local auto store showed a tensioner though... just a dealer part. Will the sprocket act the saw way as a tensioner?

 

No I just don't know what your local auto store was looking at there is no tensioner as far as I know.

 

There is no timing chain tensioner on the 3.3L engine, But there is one the 3.0L engine or 4.0L.

 

No tensioner but there is a damper, on the inside of the chain between the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets.

 

@ Hemi4spd.... if you have pics YES, please.. My brother and I are going to tackle his 97 caravan with the 3.3. He was told it is a head gasket, without doing a pressure test. we can pour antifreeze into the radiator, and watch it run out the below. So I told him that I dont believe a head gasket would leak that fast, it must be a hose or o'ring or gasket. the oil and water are both clean and no mixing. I am hearing more and more of the this pipe that runs below the intake? and has o'rings and are know to leak. We are going to pressure test this weekend, if we can keep the fluid in it to pressure test, and we got our inspection mirrors ready... any pic's to help with the location of the pipe,tubes, etc would be helpful. And I am guessing the intake must come off for replacement of the pipe..etc. email...Usmarine0905@aol.com

 

I replaced that pipe on my 03 Caravan 3.3L a few months back. Really easy if it's the same configuration as your 97 caravan. Just two bolts and a clamp, one where it anchors to the water pump the other on the timing chain cover and a clamp where it's connected to the lower radiator hose. There's an o-ring on the end of the pipe where it mounts into the water pump. That's where mine was leaking. I replaced the pipe as well since it was completely rusted out and ready to break open. Don't forget to drain the radiator first. FYI, if you're replacing the pipe, it's hard to find. I had to buy mine from the Dealership. Cost was around $54 CAD.

 

I ended up with a coolant leak on my '97 Grand Caravan 3.3 . That and many other leaks

The last one was that pesky coolant leak. I thought it was a heater hose, but turned out to be the timing cover. Some time ago I replaced the idler pulley and mistakenly loosened some of the bolts fastening the a/c compressor bracket (that bracket also holds the idler pulley). I now know that the bracket goes thru the timing cover, which has coolant flowing through it.

Before tearing into and replacing the gaskets, I simply torqued the bracket bolts. So far, so good. No more drip.

To do this, I removed the serp belt so that I could get at those bolt heads more easily. Took all of about 20 minutes.

 

I spoke too soon. While those bolts did need a little tightening, and while the leak looked like it had stopped, it's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack. I was afraid that it was too good to be true.

Looks like I'll have to replace the timing cover gasket set, which looks to be kind of a hassle... That might also explain the black oil/grease like residue in the coolant overflow tank. Not too much given 14 years and 250k miles, but it would explain it...