Common issues to look for
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Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 652
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From: Central Florida
Common issues to look for
Hey guys. My girlfriend got hit last weekend and insurance totaled the car she had today. She decided she wants to get a minivan. I found what appears to be a good deal on a 98 Caravan Sport. It has the 3.8 V6 and 127,000 miles. Going to look at it tomorrow. Are there any common problems or things to check? Any certain years to avoid? Thanks 
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Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 652
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
Yep unfortunately I'm used to that lol. The newest vehicle I have is my 98 Ram with 169,000 miles on it. I've done about everything on a vehicle short of rebuilding an engine or trans but I've swapped them out before. Just didn't know if there were problem areas to be aware of. I know on the Ram the plenum gasket, trans check valve, etc needed to be taken care of. So far the truck has been great- required very little after the common problems were fixed. I read somewhere a long time ago to avoid the 3.0 or 3.1L motor and the transmissions in certain years but didn't state what years...
Amateur
Joined: Mar 2013
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The 1997 Caravan/Voyager, and perhaps the rest of the 3rd Generation years, had the 3.0L engine - oddly made by Mitsubishi. That was considered to be a problem engine by many at the time.
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2013
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ok!!! heres my (10 point) short list!! (i have a forest green, 1996 GC, ES, 3.8L, btw)
1) new tranny in the next 20K
2) clock-spring/cruise control
3) drivers door power window
4) in tank fuel pump @ 160K
5) starter soon
6) if its green, the paint is already peeling/flaking
7) rear vent power window motors will go out soon
8) new battery
9) AC may not be blowing as cold as originally
10) i had to replace BOTH ecu modules two months ago, you will most likely not have to do this. before i had this forest green, 96, ES, 3.8L....i had the SAME van, in every detail, however i never had any ECU issues. i think a heat wave wiped out mine this time.
1) new tranny in the next 20K
2) clock-spring/cruise control
3) drivers door power window
4) in tank fuel pump @ 160K
5) starter soon
6) if its green, the paint is already peeling/flaking
7) rear vent power window motors will go out soon
8) new battery
9) AC may not be blowing as cold as originally
10) i had to replace BOTH ecu modules two months ago, you will most likely not have to do this. before i had this forest green, 96, ES, 3.8L....i had the SAME van, in every detail, however i never had any ECU issues. i think a heat wave wiped out mine this time.
