Fumes coming into 2000 Grand Caravan ES: what are the fumes?
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Registered User
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Thanks, Paddy & everyone. New minivan has same problem!
Hi Paddy,
Your words were truly prophetic. I just bought another minivan the other day, a 1999 Town & Country Ltd, and wouldn't you know--it's putting off similar fumes to what my previous minivan (the 2000 Grand Caravan ES) was doing.
I really would like to keep this second minivan, so what we'd like to do, is to talk with you by phone.
Please email me your phone number, Paddy, so we can call you, and my husband would understand what you tell him, even more than I can, since he's a lot more savvy about cars than I am.
My email is fsds@rkymtnhi.com
I called my husband just now (he's almost home from some work), and I read your information (again) to him, and now's he's very interested in learning more about your excellent advice, concerning the hood seal and the Dynamat fix.
I look forward to hearing from you, Paddy. Thanks again for your excellent advice.
I also appreciate the sympathetic comment following yours, agreeing with you, about how older mechanics eventually become very sensitized to all these fumes, from working in the fumey areas.
Sincerely,
Carol/Concerned Lady
Cell (you don't have to call me; I would be happy to call you, using our "calling card", to save you the phone call expense): 970-531-5000
Email: fsds@rkymtnhi.com
Your words were truly prophetic. I just bought another minivan the other day, a 1999 Town & Country Ltd, and wouldn't you know--it's putting off similar fumes to what my previous minivan (the 2000 Grand Caravan ES) was doing.
I really would like to keep this second minivan, so what we'd like to do, is to talk with you by phone.
Please email me your phone number, Paddy, so we can call you, and my husband would understand what you tell him, even more than I can, since he's a lot more savvy about cars than I am.
My email is fsds@rkymtnhi.com
I called my husband just now (he's almost home from some work), and I read your information (again) to him, and now's he's very interested in learning more about your excellent advice, concerning the hood seal and the Dynamat fix.
I look forward to hearing from you, Paddy. Thanks again for your excellent advice.
I also appreciate the sympathetic comment following yours, agreeing with you, about how older mechanics eventually become very sensitized to all these fumes, from working in the fumey areas.
Sincerely,
Carol/Concerned Lady
Cell (you don't have to call me; I would be happy to call you, using our "calling card", to save you the phone call expense): 970-531-5000
Email: fsds@rkymtnhi.com
Site Moderator-Dodge Tech
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 22
From: Nashville, Tennessee
Did you change perfumes recently? Body spray? Do you wear a lot of it? Any new smelly trees on your mirror or thingies sticking in your vents? Just an idea....
Another thing I havent seen mentioned. There was a fuel rail recall on these vans. I've seen them leak and the fuel vaporizes too fast for it to be visually detected. However being that 2 different vans do this i'm not leaning that way.
Another thing I havent seen mentioned. There was a fuel rail recall on these vans. I've seen them leak and the fuel vaporizes too fast for it to be visually detected. However being that 2 different vans do this i'm not leaning that way.
Last edited by TNtech; Sep 18, 2011 at 07:35 PM.
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Hi TNtech,
See replies right on your message below:
__________________
Did you change perfumes recently? Body spray?
Do you wear a lot of it?
Good questions: I don't wear any perfume,
and haven't worn any perfume for over 50 years
(I'm 68 & holding)- no body spray - nada. I use
baking soda (NaHCO3) on top of unscented body
lotion, as underarm deodorant. Since we are
not in the tropics, this seems to work OK!
I even use "free & clear" laundry detergent,
that has no perfume in it.
-----------------------
Any new smelly trees on your mirror or thingies
sticking in your vents? Just an idea....
Great question. No, I've never used those
"air fresheners" that people hang from
their rear view mirrors, or which they
plug into their airvents.
The seller of this minivan didn't use
either perfume or air fresheners either, she said.
--------------------------
Another thing I havent seen mentioned.
There was a fuel rail recall on these vans.
I've seen them leak and the fuel vaporizes
too fast for it to be visually detected.
That fuel rail recall was already done
back in around 2002. Hopefully it's
holding OK.
We couldn't smell any gas fumes near
the minivan, when we checked.
---------------------------------------
However being that 2 different vans do this
i'm not leaning that way.
Paddy has shared some more advice,
so today I ordered a new (rubber) hood seal
from a dealer's parts department. I'll share
what we do, and what we discover, as we
try doing these things.
Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Sincerely,
Carol/Concerned Lady
See replies right on your message below:
__________________
Did you change perfumes recently? Body spray?
Do you wear a lot of it?
Good questions: I don't wear any perfume,
and haven't worn any perfume for over 50 years
(I'm 68 & holding)- no body spray - nada. I use
baking soda (NaHCO3) on top of unscented body
lotion, as underarm deodorant. Since we are
not in the tropics, this seems to work OK!
I even use "free & clear" laundry detergent,
that has no perfume in it.
-----------------------
Any new smelly trees on your mirror or thingies
sticking in your vents? Just an idea....
Great question. No, I've never used those
"air fresheners" that people hang from
their rear view mirrors, or which they
plug into their airvents.
The seller of this minivan didn't use
either perfume or air fresheners either, she said.
--------------------------
Another thing I havent seen mentioned.
There was a fuel rail recall on these vans.
I've seen them leak and the fuel vaporizes
too fast for it to be visually detected.
That fuel rail recall was already done
back in around 2002. Hopefully it's
holding OK.
We couldn't smell any gas fumes near
the minivan, when we checked.
---------------------------------------
However being that 2 different vans do this
i'm not leaning that way.
Paddy has shared some more advice,
so today I ordered a new (rubber) hood seal
from a dealer's parts department. I'll share
what we do, and what we discover, as we
try doing these things.
Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Sincerely,
Carol/Concerned Lady
Site Moderator-Dodge Tech
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 22
From: Nashville, Tennessee
OK, last questions. Is there something in your home that you're inhaling, eating or drinking and maybe the motion is what is setting off the symptoms in both of you?
Do you live live in a Radon prone area?
Go drive someone else's car for a while and see what happens. Maybe rent a car for a couple days. That would narrow it down to the Vans.
Another thing that crossed my mind was an AC Evaporator leak, but very unlikely in both minivans...
Do you live live in a Radon prone area?
Go drive someone else's car for a while and see what happens. Maybe rent a car for a couple days. That would narrow it down to the Vans.
Another thing that crossed my mind was an AC Evaporator leak, but very unlikely in both minivans...
Thread Starter
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It's the vans: See below for why:
Hi TNtech,
See below for replies to your good questions:
OK, last questions. Is there something in your home
that you're inhaling, eating or drinking and
maybe the motion is what is setting off the
symptoms in both of you?
No.
_________________________
Do you live live in a Radon prone area?
If we do, our house is leaky enough that
fresh air would be venting out any
radon fumes.
________________________________
Go drive someone else's car for a while
and see what happens. Maybe rent a car
for a couple days. That would narrow it down
to the Vans.
When I drive my husband's
Safari (like an Astro-van),
I get NO FUMES AT ALL, except
when there is very high ambient
CO from heavy traffic nearby.
If no heavy traffic, NO FUMES.
Also, in his minivan, something
does come in when the heater is on.
We will be investigating that.
And, he has a Honda CRV small
SUV. That vehicle gives off
NO FUMES AT ALL. But, it does
seem to give off dusts that stuff
up my nose--but again, it's not
fumes.
Also, the fumes vary in my new
minivan, and are less noticeable
when I'm "coasting" downhill, in drive,
with foot off the gas, and with the fan
"off".
_______________________
Another thing that crossed my mind was an
AC Evaporator leak, but very unlikely in both minivans...
We will get that checked, asap, too.
Thanks for your concern. And, Paddy has
shared ideas that we will be trying asap.
More later,
Carol/Concerned Lady
See below for replies to your good questions:
OK, last questions. Is there something in your home
that you're inhaling, eating or drinking and
maybe the motion is what is setting off the
symptoms in both of you?
No.
_________________________
Do you live live in a Radon prone area?
If we do, our house is leaky enough that
fresh air would be venting out any
radon fumes.
________________________________
Go drive someone else's car for a while
and see what happens. Maybe rent a car
for a couple days. That would narrow it down
to the Vans.
When I drive my husband's
Safari (like an Astro-van),
I get NO FUMES AT ALL, except
when there is very high ambient
CO from heavy traffic nearby.
If no heavy traffic, NO FUMES.
Also, in his minivan, something
does come in when the heater is on.
We will be investigating that.
And, he has a Honda CRV small
SUV. That vehicle gives off
NO FUMES AT ALL. But, it does
seem to give off dusts that stuff
up my nose--but again, it's not
fumes.
Also, the fumes vary in my new
minivan, and are less noticeable
when I'm "coasting" downhill, in drive,
with foot off the gas, and with the fan
"off".
_______________________
Another thing that crossed my mind was an
AC Evaporator leak, but very unlikely in both minivans...
We will get that checked, asap, too.
Thanks for your concern. And, Paddy has
shared ideas that we will be trying asap.
More later,
Carol/Concerned Lady
All Star
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Canada
has your hubby tried stuffing a rag in the tailpipe to cause increases pressure in the evhaust system? this will usually show any leaks very good. like at crossoverpipe doughnuts and such. this will also expose any pinholes in the piping
lol I wish you were in Toronto I'd love to have a look at this thing
Oh this just came to me... have you tried using a CO alarm (you know the kind you put next to your furnace?)
get one of them and put on extension cord, with the car idling outside of course, pass that alarm araond the engine compartment, and along the exhaust system, may help you pinpoint the leak when the alarm sounds.
never tried it before but its just a hunch on my part.
alternativley most A/C technicians have leak detectorsthat can sniff out refrigerant and a variety of other gasses, perhaps you know of one who will sniff your car for you
lol I wish you were in Toronto I'd love to have a look at this thing
Oh this just came to me... have you tried using a CO alarm (you know the kind you put next to your furnace?)
get one of them and put on extension cord, with the car idling outside of course, pass that alarm araond the engine compartment, and along the exhaust system, may help you pinpoint the leak when the alarm sounds.
never tried it before but its just a hunch on my part.
alternativley most A/C technicians have leak detectorsthat can sniff out refrigerant and a variety of other gasses, perhaps you know of one who will sniff your car for you
Last edited by hemi4spd; Sep 28, 2011 at 05:05 PM.
Thread Starter
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Registered User
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Hi Hemi4spd,
Thank you for your helpful suggestions.
See below for REPLIES:
__________________________________
See below for REPLIES:
__________________________________
has your hubby tried stuffing a rag in the tailpipe
to cause increases pressure in the evhaust system?
this will usually show any leaks very good. like at
crossoverpipe doughnuts and such. this will also
expose any pinholes in the piping
to cause increases pressure in the evhaust system?
this will usually show any leaks very good. like at
crossoverpipe doughnuts and such. this will also
expose any pinholes in the piping
HE HASN'T TRIED THAT YET, BUT I DID TAKE THE
MINIVAN TO AN EMISSIONS PLACE IN THE DENVER
AREA, WHERE THEY DIDN'T SEE ANY EVIDENCE OF
LEAKS IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
MINIVAN TO AN EMISSIONS PLACE IN THE DENVER
AREA, WHERE THEY DIDN'T SEE ANY EVIDENCE OF
LEAKS IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
-------------------------
lol I wish you were in Toronto I'd love to have
a look at this thing
a look at this thing
THANK YOU! I WISH I WERE THERE, TOO!
----------------------------
Oh this just came to me... have you tried using
a CO alarm (you know the kind you put
next to your furnace?)
get one of them and put on extension cord,
with the car idling outside of course, pass that
alarm araond the engine compartment, and
along the exhaust system, may help you pinpoint the leak
when the alarm sounds.
never tried it before but its just a hunch on my part.
a CO alarm (you know the kind you put
next to your furnace?)
get one of them and put on extension cord,
with the car idling outside of course, pass that
alarm araond the engine compartment, and
along the exhaust system, may help you pinpoint the leak
when the alarm sounds.
never tried it before but its just a hunch on my part.
THIS IS A GREAT SUGGESTION, AND I WILL TRY IT
AS SOON AS I CAN!
AS SOON AS I CAN!
HOWEVER, I HAVE PUT THE NIGHTHAWK CO
METER INSIDE THE MINIVAN, AND IT ALWAYS READ
ZERO FOR "CO"/CARBON MONOXIDE.
METER INSIDE THE MINIVAN, AND IT ALWAYS READ
ZERO FOR "CO"/CARBON MONOXIDE.
---------------------------
alternativley most A/C technicians have leak detectors
that can sniff out refrigerant and a
variety of other gasses, perhaps you know of one
who will sniff your car for you
that can sniff out refrigerant and a
variety of other gasses, perhaps you know of one
who will sniff your car for you
ANOTHER GREAT SUGGESTION, THAT
I WILL FOLLOW UP ON, AS SOON AS I CAN.
I WILL FOLLOW UP ON, AS SOON AS I CAN.
MEANWHILE, HERE'S WHAT I'VE DONE:
THE EMISSIONS PEOPLE NOTICED AN OIL LEAK
COMING FROM THE OIL PAN GASKET AREA,
SO MY LOCAL MECHANIC THEN REPLACED THE
OIL PAN GASKET.
COMING FROM THE OIL PAN GASKET AREA,
SO MY LOCAL MECHANIC THEN REPLACED THE
OIL PAN GASKET.
THEN, I WENT TO ANOTHER "GARAGE" (PICKERINGS),
WHERE THEY PUT THE MINIVAN UP ON A HOIST,
AND THEY "STEAM CLEANED" THE OIL PAN
AREA, ENGINE AREAS, AND THE UNDERSIDE OF
THE MINIVAN, WHERE OIL HAD SPLATTERED,
FROM THE PREVIOUS OIL PAN GASKET LEAK.
WHERE THEY PUT THE MINIVAN UP ON A HOIST,
AND THEY "STEAM CLEANED" THE OIL PAN
AREA, ENGINE AREAS, AND THE UNDERSIDE OF
THE MINIVAN, WHERE OIL HAD SPLATTERED,
FROM THE PREVIOUS OIL PAN GASKET LEAK.
PICKERINGS GARAGE (IN DENVER) WORKED
ON CLEANING OFF THE OLD OIL FOR ABOUT
AN HOUR (WITH PRESSURIZED STEAM), AND
THEY NOTICED ANOTHER SLIGHT
OIL (OR ???) LEAK, THIS TIME LOCATED SOMEWHERE
ABOVE THE OIL PAN AREA.
ON CLEANING OFF THE OLD OIL FOR ABOUT
AN HOUR (WITH PRESSURIZED STEAM), AND
THEY NOTICED ANOTHER SLIGHT
OIL (OR ???) LEAK, THIS TIME LOCATED SOMEWHERE
ABOVE THE OIL PAN AREA.
AFTER THEY DID THAT CLEANING, I FELT THAT
THERE WERE FEWER "FUMES" COMING IN, THAN
BEFORE, BUT THE FUME PROBLEM IS NOT
COMPLETELY "CURED".
THERE WERE FEWER "FUMES" COMING IN, THAN
BEFORE, BUT THE FUME PROBLEM IS NOT
COMPLETELY "CURED".
I WILL ASK MY LOCAL MECHANIC TO LOOK
FOR THE SOURCE OF THE REMAINING FLUID LEAK(S).
FOR THE SOURCE OF THE REMAINING FLUID LEAK(S).
THANK YOU, AND PADDY AND ALL WHO ARE
TRYING TO HELP!
TRYING TO HELP!
Last edited by Concerned lady; Nov 4, 2011 at 12:55 AM. Reason: for easier readability
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Posts: 1
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Fumes!
I have a 2002 Caravan with over 200k miles. I have had a small leak in my radiator, an oil leak and transmission leak for years. I just recently drove from San Diego to Las Vegas and back; I topped off all my fluids before leaving and on the way back.
Ever since then we have been getting gassed. After, I drive or passengers ride in the vehicle they complain of feeling sick and get headaches. It seems to be worse when I use the heater. I don't understand why this happening now?
Could it be that I might have a leak in my heater core? A loose or disconnected hose?
Ever since then we have been getting gassed. After, I drive or passengers ride in the vehicle they complain of feeling sick and get headaches. It seems to be worse when I use the heater. I don't understand why this happening now?
Could it be that I might have a leak in my heater core? A loose or disconnected hose?
Last edited by alville; Dec 13, 2011 at 11:35 PM.