I've searched and can't find a similar thread so here goes.
I have a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan and had it since new. I have 170,000 kms on it and changed the trans at 160,000. We noticed a miss at idle and now the dealership says that cylinder 3 is fouling the plug which is not good. Then say it will cost $1500.00 for them to get to the cylinder and tell me what the problem is. Not feasable.
My question is what years of 3.3 engines will fit right into my 1996?
I've been told the engine stays basically the same to current...but the bolt patterns change.
Help please... we love our van and other that the engine the van is perfect. It is now sitting in my yard waiting for a solution
Thank you all.

 

If you're up for swapping engines, pulling a cylinder head is even easier. but why is the plug fouling? any compression test done? leak down test? IDK where they get $1500 for r&R the head. it's actually pretty easy and should take less than 6hrs. even at $100/hr and parts, that doesn't even come close to $1500. Now what fits. you can actually use any 3.3 up to 2000. you'd may need to swap some stuff like injectors, intake, wiring on the engine some sensors, etc.

 

so whys she fowling #3? is she low on cpomresson? bad valve or rings or what? it aint all that hard to pull the head off. but why is it always the back head with probs. i cant remember how many broke rocker shfts i fixed and alwyas on the back hed but both front and back are the same and never the front head broken only the back right buy the alt.

 

earle
Do you know if the dealer did a compression test or a leak down test on the whole engine? Also did they remove the rear valve cover and inspect for a broken rocker shaft tower or a missing/bent push rod. The last two post are right with the problems that would a misfire, but what did the dealer tell? Other that it needs a motor.

 

I'll have to check the paperwork from the dealership to see if it tells me anything about compression...I'm pretty sure that they never said they did any compression tests..only that the miss at idle when warm is from the fouling of cylinder number 3 for some reason and for them to dig down and "see" what the problem was that it would incure substantion costs. I guess my next move is to get the compression tested on all the cylinders and see what comes to light. I just remember how hard changing the plugs were in this puppy...might be interesting to check compression,....my brother-in law has a compressin tester etc so I think I will see if we can at least get some numbers and go from there.

 

It's really easy to do a compression test if you're willing to do a little work to get back there. you have to remove the wiper module assembly (15-20 min job) remove the upper intake plenum (20 min job) and then everything is super easy from there out. Now a miss can be cause by a lot of things: spark plug, plug wire, injector, valves, piston rings, head gasket and some more that i'm sure I forgetting

 

Was wondering how the swap turned out. We need a new 3.3 engine for our 98 Dodge Grand Caravan and have found a 96 3.3 Dodge Grand Caravan engine we would like to put in. It sounds like it may be a good fit from 92dak5.24x4's reply. Did you have any problems with the swap?

 

That member hasn't posted for a while. You shouldn't have any problems. You may want to use your manifolds and sensor and flex plate too.

 

ya a lot of the electrical bits have different plug connections from year to year