I have an 2000 3.3L Dodge Grand Caravan. It has a coolant leak. The amount of coolant leaking fluctuates. Some mornings its a small puddle the sizes of a grapefruit and other times its just a drop or two. The dealer did a coolant pressure test found the leak is at the timing cover. They wanted $1000 to fix it and a balked. Does anyone have a procedure on how to fix this myself? Is this covered on a Haynes or Chilton book?

Thanks
-Bob

 

My 1998 Dodge Caravan is leaking coolant from the timing cover. Is the repair accomplished by replacing the o-rings and gaskets on the timing cover? On another thread I see people talking about replacing the timing cover itself at a cost of $700. What can you tell me?

 

you'll need a special puller a lot of patience and mechanical aptitude. you'll need to remove the oil pan, remove the oil pump pickup tube, etc. the oil pump is contained in the timing cover so you need to be very careful on this repair so you don't do more harm than good.

 

This is from Alldata although the pictures don't come through using copy and paste.
REMOVAL
Disconnect negative cable from battery.
Drain cooling system.
Raise vehicle on hoist.
Drain engine oil.
Remove right wheel and inner splash shield.
Remove oil pan.
Remove oil pick-up tube (Fig. 149).
Remove accessory. drive belt.
Remove A/C compressor and set aside.
Remove crankshaft vibration damper.
Remove radiator lower hose.
Remove heater hose from timing chain cover housing (Fig. 150) or water pump inlet tube (if engine oil cooler equipped) (Fig. 151).
Remove the right side engine mount.
Remove idler pulley from engine bracket (Fig. 152).
Remove the engine mount bracket (Fig. 152).
Remove cam sensor from timing chain cover (Fig. 152).
Remove the water pump for cover removal clearance.
Remove the bolt attaching the power steering pump support strut to the front cover (Fig. 153).
Remove the timing chain cover (Fig. 154).

INSTALLATION
Be sure mating surfaces of chain case cover and cylinder block are clean and free from burrs. Crankshaft oil seal must be removed to insure correct oil pump engagement. NOTE: DO NOT USE SEALER ON COVER GASKET
Position new gasket on timing cover (Fig. 154). Adhere new gasket to chain case cover, making sure that the lower edge of the gasket is flush to 0.5 mm (0.020 inch) passed the lower edge of the cover.
Rotate crankshaft so that the oil pump drive flats are in the vertical position.
Position oil pump inner rotor so the mating flats are in the same position as the crankshaft drive flats (Fig. 154). CAUTION: Make sure the oil pump Is engaged on the crankshaft correctly or severe damage may result.
Install timing cover (Fig. 154).
Install timing chain cover bolts. Tighten M8 bolts to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.) and M10 bolts to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 155).
Install crankshaft front oil seal.
Install water pump and pulley.
Install crankshaft vibration damper.
Install engine mount bracket (Fig. 152) and tighten M10 to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.) , M8 bolt to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.) .
Install idler pulley on engine mount bracket (Fig. 152).
Install right side engine mount.
Install camshaft sensor.
Connect the heater return hose at rear of timing chain cover (Fig. 150) or at water pump inlet tube (if engine oil cooler equipped) (Fig. 151).
Connect the radiator lower hose.
Install A/C compressor.
Install accessory drive belt.
Install oil pump pick-up tube with new O-ring. Tighten attaching bolt to 28 Nm (250 in. lbs.) .
Install oil pan.
Install inner splash shield and right front wheel.
Fill crankcase with engine oil to proper level.
Fill cooling system.
Connect negative cable to battery.

 

My timing belt broke on my 2006 2.4l SE caravan. Should i replace the water pump also since i already have the cover off. What is the usually mileage Before they Go?

 

Yes, replace the water pump assy.

 

Now on the 3.3 motors. You may need to buy the updated timing cover assy. It does come with a new water pump and oil pump assy already on the cover.

 

Gee..... pictures would be so good, found I have a leak on my 2000 3.3 Grand Caravan as well. Pretty certain I can tackle it; but pictures really help!

Is AllData mainly a professional Mechanic shop kind of service?

Thanks

 

I have the same problem with tech connect too. No pictures.

 

i can get whatever picture u want,
still need them?