if you have pics YES, please.. My brother and I are going to tackle his 97 caravan with the 3.3. He was told it is a head gasket, without doing a pressure test. we can pour antifreeze into the radiator, and watch it run out the below. So I told him that I dont believe a head gasket would leak that fast, it must be a hose or o'ring or gasket. the oil and water are both clean and no mixing. I am hearing more and more of the this pipe that runs below the intake? and has o'rings and are know to leak. We are going to pressure test this weekend, if we can keep the fluid in it to pressure test, and we got our inspection mirrors ready... any pic's to help with the location of the pipe,tubes, etc would be helpful. And I am guessing the intake must come off for replacement of the pipe..etc. email...Usmarine0905@aol.com

 

Its a good ideal to do a pressure ck, this way you can see the leak.The 3.3 motors don't have a crossover tube under the intake.But there are three most common place's that coolant/water will leak from. 1st the 5/8 hose between the t-stat and water pump,2nd the front head gasket near the a/c bracket and 3rd the rear head gasket near the transmission.

 

@ Master Tech... thank you I will check tomorrow. the mechanic said it was a front head gasket without pressure testing... so we are hoping it is a hose... if we can find it.. it sure is tight ...

 

Head gaskets aren't a big deal on those. No cam gears or timing belt just heads, intake, exhaust manifolds. I've seen those old style head gaskets split in half before. Little stream of coolant will squirt out the back or side.

 

To everyone that has given me info on this issue, thank you so very much.. we got to pressure test the system today and you could hear the pressure, hissing, from the front head at the side of #6 cyl. so we tore it down and pulled the head,, getting all checked and will put it all back together, next weekend. Thank again to everyone that assisted

 

Just wanted to thank everyone for all their help and input, on this matter. We put it all back together, topped off all fluilds and fired her up..... Put put put...VVVmmmmm woooo hoooo it running and no leaks, for 2 days now. Oh no, we have 3 bolts left... small one's....hmmm oh well we will place them in the recycle bin...LOL And yes a Very Very special thank you, to a very helpful someone... You know who you are!! thanks for the great info!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I know this thread is a little old I was hoping to get my answers here instead of re-posting a similar issue.

I have a 1993 Caravan with the 3.3 and have a definite leak between the block and rear head. I was wondering if someone could give me an idea on difficultly and the gaskets or parts that I will have to get before I start on it as I can't run out on the weekend for parts.
How much trouble were the exhaust manifold bolts etc.

I also need to change the timing chain and I may has well do that at the same time and also need to know what gaskets I will need for that as well.

Does anyone know off hand on these questions and rough hours to do in your driveway.
Its been a long time since I had to do a job this big and not looking forward to it.

 

If you ask for a head gasket package. It should come with all the upper end gaskets. You will also need to get the intake manifold gasket and pleumn gasket too. For the timing chain, same thing. Gasket package, should have all gaskets and an oil pan gasket. When replacing the timing chain, be careful, because there is two sets of timing marks.

 

Thanks master tech

When I was at the dealership they said they needed a list of the gaskets. I guess if I go aftermarket, I can get the "package"

I have to have it done all in one shot over a weekend in the driveway as I have no place for the parts except for the ground and tarp. I have to cover as many possible problems ahead of time so I don't get stalled.