I have a couple of problems with my 2004 Dodge Caravan. I noticed the coolant was low so I put in the green Prestone prediluted antifreeze/coolant, stupidly ignoring the sticker that says the car takes special coolant (the red Dex-Cool stuff, right?) So two different coolants are in the tank, there wasn't much in there to begin with before I added the green coolant, am I in big trouble?

The other problem is the heating/ac. The vents put out this horrible mildew smell that is just awful. I tried putting it in a spray deodorizer from a store into the front outside vents but the scent just disappears in less than two days. Is it fairly easy to take out the heating/ac filter and clean it out or does it have to be replaced?

 

AS for the coolant - how much less than !/2 gallon ? get the correct coollant* drain the resiviour refill you will be fine...

Iff you needed closer to 1gallon it is likely leaking and will leak out repairing the leak and a flush will fix you up......good time for a new T'stat

*avoid the one type fits all if you can- Zerex G-04



Cabin Air Filter

Removal & Installation

To Remove:

1. Locate the air filter door on the bottom of the lower front HVAC housing just on the right of the center.
2. Slide the air filter door latch toward the rear until it engages the opened stop on the door.
3. Pull the air filter door straight down to disengage it from the air filter opening of the HVAC housing.
4. Reach through the air filter opening and grasp the filter with your fingers.
5. Pull the air filter straight down and out.

To Install:
NOTE: Make sure to install the filter with the word "Airflow" and an arrow pointing toward the center of the vehicle. The filter will clog prematurely if not installed correctly.

1. Install the filter fully into the HVAC housing. Make sure to install the filter with the word "Airflow" and an arrow pointing toward the center of the vehicle.
2. With the latch still positioned against its opened stop, install the air filter door on the HVAC housing air filter opening.
3. Slide the air filter door latch toward the front until it contacts the closed stop on the door.

 

Technically, you can mix different types of coolants, but the service life falls to the life of the green stuff (2 years). However, the green stuff is a silicate coolant and is more abrasive to water pump seals. So, you should really flush the system and replace with new. Chrysler recommends a hybrid organic acid coolant, (HOAT). DexCool is OAT coolant.

Here's an article on coolant and what the wrong stuff can do:

http://www.ricksfreeautorepairadvice...-wrong-coolant

 

Sorry guys, thanks for the advice, but I meant to type 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport as my car, not a 2004. I got confused as to the model date. I've read that this model does not have an air filter so how can I get rid of the smell?

 

Depends on the heater system, Ck under the dash next to thr glove box door. If you see a small cover, then it has a filter. If your smell gets real bad and deodorizer is not helping, you may need to replace the a/c evap core. There was a TSB for this problem. As far as the coolant, if its just a small amount its okay. If you need the tsb just send a pm.

 

Read this

http://www.ricksfreeautorepairadvice...id-of-the-mold