i just bought a 1998 dodge caravan se sport from the original owner. On the way home it rolled over to 117k miles. It runs and drives like new. I have 10 years worth of slips from the dealer and shops where the van was serviced regularly. All recall issues had been done as they were coming out and the transmission was even rebuilt when it had only 30k miles on it. Not a problem since.

My issue is, when the van is warm I can smell the sweat smell of antifreeze but not a single leak anywhere or any drips. I put on new hoses (radiator) and gave her some fresh antifreeze. I wasn't expecting the issue to go away by doing this but being the van had original hoses, they needed to be changed. I let the van sit without being started for 4 days. Today I started her up and let her run for no more than 5 minutes. After turning her off I noticed a smal puddle of antifreeze on the carport floor. I drove it around about 5 miles and then not a single leak or drip BUT I did smell the antifreeze again. Does this sound familiar to anyone? It does not overheat and the thing just runs like a brand new van. I changed the oil and the oil was very clean for having 3k on it and no sign of any kind of antifreeze or foam in the oil. The antifreeze was very clean as well. Funny thing is, at around 80k miles, a dealer told the former owner that both head gaskets were shot. There has been 37k miles put on the car since and not a single problem, no mixing of any fluids so I am going to assume that the dealer was trying to get money out of something that just did not need to be done.

If anyone would like to give me some advice, I sure would appreciate all comments. It is a second vehicle for me but I just love the thing. I actually bought it for my 100lb golden retriever.

Craig in Marietta GA.

 

yall got leaks when hot becus when its hot she's got pressure and then if yall gotta leak shell pis out. so where did yall see the drips in the car port like i mean where under the car front, left, right, middle, rear, side back and so on.

 

it seems to be dripping under the center of the engine or a bit closer to pass side. when the engine is cold is when i actually see the leak as the engine is not hot enough to burn it off. after i drive it around a bit thats when i smell as whatever is leaking, it is dripping on hot engine and burning off. i am guessing maybe one of the many heater hoses or maybe something simple. it does not overheat, it does not run hot at all. no smoke out of exhaust pipe at all and no fluids are mixing. hoping for a cheap fix. if the hoses are original, it wouldnt hurt to put new heater hoses, and whatever other little hoses are on the water pump on it.

 

If you have rear heat option, the repair is about $140 and alot of labor doing it yourself. if you have to hire someone. figure on dropping $500+

 

check if the water pump is leaking. location of the leak sounds about right for it. crawl under the van and look directly up at the bottom of the pump (behind pass. side wheel) see if its dripping off the bottom of the pump, or if there are stains there where it's been boiling off when hot. Mine went bad right about the same mileage you have.

 

thanks for the advice. I do believe it is the water pump and I am going to get a new one from napa, and then I found a guy who will do it on the side for $100. He is a mechanic but works from home on weekends for extra money. again, thank you!

 

i didnt realize i had pics of my former stratus on here, so i just updated my profile pics to show my new 98 purple van.

this site is awesome, thanks forhaving it!!!!!!!!!!

 

$100 is too much unless it's including parts and materials. it's like 30min job, $20 part and $10 in antifreeze.