I just bought a 1998 Grand Caravan SE AWD and want to get a waranty for it. Whats the best company to go with?


Thanks, jason

 

IMO, they're all a rip off.
For the $2500 bucks they want for a warranty, you can put that money aside in a seperate bank account (coffee can) and be better off.

I had a friend that tried US Fedelis, and got burned on a repair.
He had to shell out $1000. Went round and round with USF and never did get paid.

With your 98 Caravan, the biggest thing that can go out is the trans.
Caravans (95-00) are know for trans trouble.
Both of mine (96 and 97) have had their trans rebuild.
About $800-$1000 at a shop. Less if you do the labor (pull and reinstall).

Chances are good if it has over 100,K miles, it's trans has already been rebuilt.
My 96 GC had it's trans rebuilt at 77,K and the 97 GC at 98,K.
At this time, the 96 has 198,K and the 97 has 199,K.


So again, IMHO, save your money!
You have one awsum ride in a dodge!
Keep your oil clean, change it every 5000mi max.
I use Castrol High Milage oil. 10W30 in winter, 10W40 in summer.

The 3.3lt and 3.8lt are such a strong engine, you shouldn't have any trouble there.
DO NOT overheat it! If you're not sure, I'd suggest you install a "fail safe" thermostat.
If it fails, it fails OPEN. Other thermostats can fail in the closed position and cause overheating.

If you get a check engine light, the Dodge "Key dance" can tell you the error codes.
Key Dance = turn the key "ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON" within 5 seconds, and watch the check engine light.
Or, most good auto parts stores (Autozone, NAPA) will scan your rig for free.
OBD vehicals (on board diagnostic) will troubleshoot themselfs.
Error codes can be found in the Chilton's or Haynes repair manual or at Autozone.com in the DIY section.
You can also post any trouble here, there are some pretty sharp cookies here.

Most problems on your Caravan can be fixed with simple hand tools and the repair manual.
We are here to help.

EZ1

 

thanks for the info, just a few thing wrong with my ride, it has 155,000 miles engine is good, the trans has a clunk when down shifting to 1st comming to a stop.

Just finished my first tank of gas and it got 16.25 MPG in mix city and freeway driving

But it has the room we wanted, we just sold my 95 saturn sl2 that got 34-36 mpg but it was tiny

I want to take the caravan to the 1/4 strip to see what it will do


thanks,

 

Wow! You should be getting better than 16mpg.

My 96 gets 20mpg in a mix, 22mpg highway with fresh oil.
It tells me when it wants new oil, the milage drops off.

The best gaget for the GC comes out of the Chrysler T&C.
It's a mileage meter that mounts over the mirror by the sunglass holder.
I pulled one from a wreck not knowing if it would work in my GC.
Lucky for me, the wires were right there, just plugged it in and it works great.
I also pulled the power seats from the T&C and low-and-behold, the wires for those were under the carpet in my GC too.

As for your mileage, change the oil and new filter (I love that Castrol high mileage).
New air filter.
And, I'd sugest you replace the upstream O2 sensor. It has alot to do with fuel mixture.
The downstream sensor doesn't live in as harsh an enviorment as the upstream, but if milage doesn't improve, I'd replace it too.
Have it scanned or do the key dance to see if it has any stored codes.


My 96 sound funny when it downshifts too.
Mine's more of a clickity clicking sound. Like a stick on bicycle spokes.
But we just moved 3000mi from the west coast, and the Turtle van (Mod5 bubble top conversion) fully loaded pulling a fully loaded trailer made it with no problems at all.



Those are the seats strapped to the top of the trailer, the rear bench seat is inside the trailer, the van was PACKED to the roof!
The trailer was STUFFED!! The bike on the front of the trailer was for just-in-case I broke down, never needed it.


Does yours make any noise when you turn hard right or hard left at crawl speed?
Maybe CV joints making the clunk noise?

Got any pics of your new (old) rig?
EZ1

 

I need to change the oil and filter, and check the air filter and such, I just have not had the time. I got it on the 8th of this month

Im going to take it to a mechanic to see if they can tell me what they think of the trans issue.

Ill post pictures soon


thanks

 

Also, Get the Chilton or Haynes repair manual. Only about $20 and loaded with information.

Read it cover to cover, skip engines that aren't your's, and be informed!

Your less likly to get scammed by a mechanic if you can talk the talk.


I STRONGLY discourage trans "power flushing" an older rig.
These have a magnet in the bottom of the fluid pan that collects metal shavings.
A power flush just stirs these shavings up into the trans valve body.
It's FAR better to have the pan removed, magnet cleaned, filter replaced and refilled with fresh fluid.
Some will say there is still old fluid in the tourque converter, yes this is true, but I feel it will mix with the new and be just fine.

We never used to power flush trannies, untill someone invented the machine to do it.
Just run 'em till they fail in the ol' days.
I think power flush is OK for a new rig, if you have it done often before a large collection of gunk builds up on the magnet.

EZ1