Persistent oil leak on 200 Grand Caravan

At 55,000 miles this Caravan developed an oil leak. The vehicle has been
remarkably trouble free until now. The response I usually get when
discussing this is "Already ? At just 55,000 miles ? Wow!".

Background: At about 54,000 I took it into a local garage with a
transmission fluid leak AND coolant leak. I have been working with this
garage for years, and trust them. They replaced the transmission pan gasket
and had to replace the timing cover gasket, as that was where the coolant
was leaking from. While they had the timing cover off, I had them go ahead
and replace the water pump.

OK, so after about a week I start noticing an oil leak, and more
transmission fluid! I took it back and they said, "Well, uh, sometimes when
you start replacing "stuff" you might loosen marginal gaskets elsewhere and
thus the new leaks". Hmmmph. I'm not so sure about that. They said the
rear main oil seal and solenoid pack on the tranny needed replacing and they
were ready to do the job. When they admitted they didn't remove too many
transmissions, I was skeptical, so got a transmission shop recommendation
from a friend. They did the job for about $500 and all was well... for
about a week, when the oil leak came back, worse than ever it seemed. Of
course, I couldn't tell if it was coming from the same source, so was
getting concerned. I took it back to the tranny shop and they scratched
their head, muttered something about too much pressure maybe causing this
(which they eventually retracted, saying the engine was running too smoothly
for that to be the cause) and did the job again, gratis. As soon as I got
it home, it was still leaking!

Anyone else seen this scenario ? Comments about what I heard from the two
different shops ? I am wondering if I need to approach the dealer for some
kind of deal here, even though it is out of warranty.

Thanks,
Scott

Scott,

I own three Chrysler products, including a 1999 T&C minvan. I also have a
1991 Mitsubishi that has a Chrysler transmission. None of them has ever
leaked from the transmission pan seal and knowing how they are RTV'ed from
the factory (and how difficult it is to break this seal to replace the fluid
and filter), I'd suspect that the original leak was not from the trans pan
gasket. As such, I wouldn't trust their current diagnosis either, although
I have heard others comment on leaking from the solenoid pack area
previously. That said, I have personally seen trans fluid leaks from the
transmission cooler lines so I'd encourage you to get under there and see
for yourself where it is dripping from and then try to see if you can find
the source of the leak.

You don't indicate what engine and I'm not even sure of the year of the
vehicle (200?) so won't comment on the oil leak.

Bob

"Scott W" > wrote in message
...
> Background: At about 54,000 I took it into a local garage with a
> transmission fluid leak AND coolant leak. I have been working with this
> garage for years, and trust them. They replaced the transmission pan
gasket
> and had to replace the timing cover gasket, as that was where the coolant
> was leaking from. While they had the timing cover off, I had them go
ahead
> and replace the water pump.
>
> OK, so after about a week I start noticing an oil leak, and more
> transmission fluid! I took it back and they said, "Well, uh, sometimes
when
> you start replacing "stuff" you might loosen marginal gaskets elsewhere
and
> thus the new leaks". Hmmmph. I'm not so sure about that. They said the
> rear main oil seal and solenoid pack on the tranny needed replacing and
they
> were ready to do the job. When they admitted they didn't remove too many
> transmissions, I was skeptical, so got a transmission shop recommendation
> from a friend. They did the job for about $500 and all was well... for
> about a week, when the oil leak came back, worse than ever it seemed. Of
> course, I couldn't tell if it was coming from the same source, so was
> getting concerned. I took it back to the tranny shop and they scratched
> their head, muttered something about too much pressure maybe causing this
> (which they eventually retracted, saying the engine was running too
smoothly
> for that to be the cause) and did the job again, gratis. As soon as I got
> it home, it was still leaking!

"Scott W" > wrote in message
...
> At 55,000 miles this Caravan developed an oil leak. The vehicle has been
> remarkably trouble free until now. The response I usually get when
> discussing this is "Already ? At just 55,000 miles ? Wow!".
>
> Background: At about 54,000 I took it into a local garage with a
> transmission fluid leak AND coolant leak. I have been working with this
> garage for years, and trust them. They replaced the transmission pan
> gasket
> and had to replace the timing cover gasket, as that was where the coolant
> was leaking from. While they had the timing cover off, I had them go
> ahead
> and replace the water pump.
>
> OK, so after about a week I start noticing an oil leak, and more
> transmission fluid! I took it back and they said, "Well, uh, sometimes
> when
> you start replacing "stuff" you might loosen marginal gaskets elsewhere
> and
> thus the new leaks". Hmmmph. I'm not so sure about that. They said the
> rear main oil seal and solenoid pack on the tranny needed replacing and
> they
> were ready to do the job. When they admitted they didn't remove too many
> transmissions, I was skeptical, so got a transmission shop recommendation
> from a friend. They did the job for about $500 and all was well... for
> about a week, when the oil leak came back, worse than ever it seemed. Of
> course, I couldn't tell if it was coming from the same source, so was
> getting concerned. I took it back to the tranny shop and they scratched
> their head, muttered something about too much pressure maybe causing this
> (which they eventually retracted, saying the engine was running too
> smoothly
> for that to be the cause) and did the job again, gratis. As soon as I got
> it home, it was still leaking!
>
> Anyone else seen this scenario ? Comments about what I heard from the
> two
> different shops ? I am wondering if I need to approach the dealer for
> some
> kind of deal here, even though it is out of warranty.
>
> Thanks,
> Scott

They are not looking at the right area for the leak. They are looking at
were the oil has accumulated, and believe that is were the leak is. The
problem is you are driving the vehicle, causing the oil to spread. What the
tech's should do is clean the engine and tranny, and run the vehicle as it
is parked, and/or put a dye in engine and tranny fluid, to see were it is
exactly leaking from. I suspect they are not doing that.

Scott W wrote:


>
> Anyone else seen this scenario ? Comments about what I heard from the two
> different shops ? I am wondering if I need to approach the dealer for some
> kind of deal here, even though it is out of warranty.
>
> Thanks,
> Scott


So what you're basically saying is that none of the shops ever
POSITIVELY identified the source of the leak, yet were willing to take
your money, perform major R&R to get at a seal that RARELY ever leaks on
Chrysler engines and replace it?

I'd change shops if I were you. And I'd also find the source of the
leak- it can be done by washing down the engine, adding a dye to the
oil, and looking at the engine with a good UV light.

"Scott W" > wrote in message
...
>
> Anyone else seen this scenario ?
>
> Thanks,
> Scott
>

You mean the scenario of dumb or dishonest mechanics dragging their
customers through an expensive song and dance? Yup.

"Scott W" > wrote in message
...
> At 55,000 miles this Caravan developed an oil leak. The vehicle has been
> remarkably trouble free until now. The response I usually get when
> discussing this is "Already ? At just 55,000 miles ? Wow!".
>
> Background: At about 54,000 I took it into a local garage with a
> transmission fluid leak AND coolant leak. I have been working with this
> garage for years, and trust them. They replaced the transmission pan
gasket
> and had to replace the timing cover gasket, as that was where the coolant
> was leaking from. While they had the timing cover off, I had them go
ahead
> and replace the water pump.
>
> OK, so after about a week I start noticing an oil leak, and more
> transmission fluid! I took it back and they said,
"Well, uh, sometimes when
> you start replacing "stuff" you might loosen marginal gaskets elsewhere
and
> thus the new leaks".
POPPY COCK

Hmmmph. I'm not so sure about that. They said the
> rear main oil seal and solenoid pack on the tranny needed replacing and
they
> were ready to do the job. When they admitted they didn't remove too many
> transmissions, I was skeptical, so got a transmission shop recommendation
> from a friend. They did the job for about $500 and all was well... for
> about a week, when the oil leak came back, worse than ever it seemed. Of
> course, I couldn't tell if it was coming from the same source, so was
> getting concerned. I took it back to the tranny shop and they scratched
> their head, muttered something about too much pressure maybe causing this
> (which they eventually retracted, saying the engine was running too
smoothly
> for that to be the cause) and did the job again, gratis. As soon as I got
> it home, it was still leaking!
>
> Anyone else seen this scenario ? Comments about what I heard from the
two
> different shops ? I am wondering if I need to approach the dealer for
some
> kind of deal here, even though it is out of warranty.

Yes I have heard that alot from the independent shop, but normally they give
up and say its a dealer item take it to the dealer.

The best way to locate an oil leak is using a dye substance and black
lite. I recommend you having someone do that, this can also be done with
coolant and trans fluid but dont do it all at the same time, normally you
dont have to do this will ATF because the leaks are right in front of the
technicians nose


>
> Thanks,
> Scott
>
>
>
>
>

why do you think the dealer should give you any sort of deal when the prized
aftermarket folks can not figure out the leak that you paid them to fix at 2
different shops were do you get off asking for a deal ? they are going to tell
you to go jump in the lake as i'm doing now take it bac to the prized
aftermarket folks and let them earn their keep
you should have taken it to a repair shop (dealer) that does nothing but work
on your brand of vehicles and maybe it would be leak free

Scott W wrote:

> At 55,000 miles this Caravan developed an oil leak. The vehicle has been
> remarkably trouble free until now. The response I usually get when
> discussing this is "Already ? At just 55,000 miles ? Wow!".
>
> Background: At about 54,000 I took it into a local garage with a
> transmission fluid leak AND coolant leak. I have been working with this
> garage for years, and trust them. They replaced the transmission pan gasket
> and had to replace the timing cover gasket, as that was where the coolant
> was leaking from. While they had the timing cover off, I had them go ahead
> and replace the water pump.
>
> OK, so after about a week I start noticing an oil leak, and more
> transmission fluid! I took it back and they said, "Well, uh, sometimes when
> you start replacing "stuff" you might loosen marginal gaskets elsewhere and
> thus the new leaks". Hmmmph. I'm not so sure about that. They said the
> rear main oil seal and solenoid pack on the tranny needed replacing and they
> were ready to do the job. When they admitted they didn't remove too many
> transmissions, I was skeptical, so got a transmission shop recommendation
> from a friend. They did the job for about $500 and all was well... for
> about a week, when the oil leak came back, worse than ever it seemed. Of
> course, I couldn't tell if it was coming from the same source, so was
> getting concerned. I took it back to the tranny shop and they scratched
> their head, muttered something about too much pressure maybe causing this
> (which they eventually retracted, saying the engine was running too smoothly
> for that to be the cause) and did the job again, gratis. As soon as I got
> it home, it was still leaking!
>
> Anyone else seen this scenario ? Comments about what I heard from the two
> different shops ? I am wondering if I need to approach the dealer for some
> kind of deal here, even though it is out of warranty.
>
> Thanks,
> Scott

"mic canic" > wrote in message
...
> why do you think the dealer should give you any sort of deal when the
prized
> aftermarket folks can not figure out the leak that you paid them to fix at
2
> different shops were do you get off asking for a deal ? they are going to
tell
> you to go jump in the lake as i'm doing now take it bac to the prized
> aftermarket folks and let them earn their keep
> you should have taken it to a repair shop (dealer) that does nothing but
work
> on your brand of vehicles and maybe it would be leak free
>
> Scott W wrote:
>
> > At 55,000 miles this Caravan developed an oil leak. The vehicle has been
> > remarkably trouble free until now. The response I usually get when
> > discussing this is "Already ? At just 55,000 miles ? Wow!".
> >
> > Background: At about 54,000 I took it into a local garage with a
> > transmission fluid leak AND coolant leak. I have been working with this
> > garage for years, and trust them. They replaced the transmission pan
gasket
> > and had to replace the timing cover gasket, as that was where the
coolant
> > was leaking from. While they had the timing cover off, I had them go
ahead
> > and replace the water pump.
> >
> > OK, so after about a week I start noticing an oil leak, and more
> > transmission fluid! I took it back and they said, "Well, uh, sometimes
when
> > you start replacing "stuff" you might loosen marginal gaskets elsewhere
and
> > thus the new leaks". Hmmmph. I'm not so sure about that. They said the
> > rear main oil seal and solenoid pack on the tranny needed replacing and
they
> > were ready to do the job. When they admitted they didn't remove too
many
> > transmissions, I was skeptical, so got a transmission shop
recommendation
> > from a friend. They did the job for about $500 and all was well... for
> > about a week, when the oil leak came back, worse than ever it seemed.
Of
> > course, I couldn't tell if it was coming from the same source, so was
> > getting concerned. I took it back to the tranny shop and they scratched
> > their head, muttered something about too much pressure maybe causing
this
> > (which they eventually retracted, saying the engine was running too
smoothly
> > for that to be the cause) and did the job again, gratis. As soon as I
got
> > it home, it was still leaking!
> >
> > Anyone else seen this scenario ? Comments about what I heard from the
two
> > different shops ? I am wondering if I need to approach the dealer for
some
> > kind of deal here, even though it is out of warranty.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Scott

Sup Mic??? hey I see you found that spell check button!!! You guys got your
a/c machine's ready to roll?

our machines work all year
the ac still works in defrost mode and people here notice it more than you would
think


maxpower wrote:

> "mic canic" > wrote in message
> ...
> > why do you think the dealer should give you any sort of deal when the
> prized
> > aftermarket folks can not figure out the leak that you paid them to fix at
> 2
> > different shops were do you get off asking for a deal ? they are going to
> tell
> > you to go jump in the lake as i'm doing now take it bac to the prized
> > aftermarket folks and let them earn their keep
> > you should have taken it to a repair shop (dealer) that does nothing but
> work
> > on your brand of vehicles and maybe it would be leak free
> >
> > Scott W wrote:
> >
> > > At 55,000 miles this Caravan developed an oil leak. The vehicle has been
> > > remarkably trouble free until now. The response I usually get when
> > > discussing this is "Already ? At just 55,000 miles ? Wow!".
> > >
> > > Background: At about 54,000 I took it into a local garage with a
> > > transmission fluid leak AND coolant leak. I have been working with this
> > > garage for years, and trust them. They replaced the transmission pan
> gasket
> > > and had to replace the timing cover gasket, as that was where the
> coolant
> > > was leaking from. While they had the timing cover off, I had them go
> ahead
> > > and replace the water pump.
> > >
> > > OK, so after about a week I start noticing an oil leak, and more
> > > transmission fluid! I took it back and they said, "Well, uh, sometimes
> when
> > > you start replacing "stuff" you might loosen marginal gaskets elsewhere
> and
> > > thus the new leaks". Hmmmph. I'm not so sure about that. They said the
> > > rear main oil seal and solenoid pack on the tranny needed replacing and
> they
> > > were ready to do the job. When they admitted they didn't remove too
> many
> > > transmissions, I was skeptical, so got a transmission shop
> recommendation
> > > from a friend. They did the job for about $500 and all was well... for
> > > about a week, when the oil leak came back, worse than ever it seemed.
> Of
> > > course, I couldn't tell if it was coming from the same source, so was
> > > getting concerned. I took it back to the tranny shop and they scratched
> > > their head, muttered something about too much pressure maybe causing
> this
> > > (which they eventually retracted, saying the engine was running too
> smoothly
> > > for that to be the cause) and did the job again, gratis. As soon as I
> got
> > > it home, it was still leaking!
> > >
> > > Anyone else seen this scenario ? Comments about what I heard from the
> two
> > > different shops ? I am wondering if I need to approach the dealer for
> some
> > > kind of deal here, even though it is out of warranty.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Scott
>
> Sup Mic??? hey I see you found that spell check button!!! You guys got your
> a/c machine's ready to roll?

"mic canic" > wrote in message
...
> our machines work all year
> the ac still works in defrost mode and people here notice it more than you
would
> think
>
>
> maxpower wrote:
>
> > "mic canic" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > why do you think the dealer should give you any sort of deal when the
> > prized
> > > aftermarket folks can not figure out the leak that you paid them to
fix at
> > 2
> > > different shops were do you get off asking for a deal ? they are going
to
> > tell
> > > you to go jump in the lake as i'm doing now take it bac to the
prized
> > > aftermarket folks and let them earn their keep
> > > you should have taken it to a repair shop (dealer) that does nothing
but
> > work
> > > on your brand of vehicles and maybe it would be leak free
> > >
> > > Scott W wrote:
> > >
> > > > At 55,000 miles this Caravan developed an oil leak. The vehicle has
been
> > > > remarkably trouble free until now. The response I usually get when
> > > > discussing this is "Already ? At just 55,000 miles ? Wow!".
> > > >
> > > > Background: At about 54,000 I took it into a local garage with a
> > > > transmission fluid leak AND coolant leak. I have been working with
this
> > > > garage for years, and trust them. They replaced the transmission
pan
> > gasket
> > > > and had to replace the timing cover gasket, as that was where the
> > coolant
> > > > was leaking from. While they had the timing cover off, I had them
go
> > ahead
> > > > and replace the water pump.
> > > >
> > > > OK, so after about a week I start noticing an oil leak, and more
> > > > transmission fluid! I took it back and they said, "Well, uh,
sometimes
> > when
> > > > you start replacing "stuff" you might loosen marginal gaskets
elsewhere
> > and
> > > > thus the new leaks". Hmmmph. I'm not so sure about that. They said
the
> > > > rear main oil seal and solenoid pack on the tranny needed replacing
and
> > they
> > > > were ready to do the job. When they admitted they didn't remove too
> > many
> > > > transmissions, I was skeptical, so got a transmission shop
> > recommendation
> > > > from a friend. They did the job for about $500 and all was well...
for
> > > > about a week, when the oil leak came back, worse than ever it
seemed.
> > Of
> > > > course, I couldn't tell if it was coming from the same source, so
was
> > > > getting concerned. I took it back to the tranny shop and they
scratched
> > > > their head, muttered something about too much pressure maybe causing
> > this
> > > > (which they eventually retracted, saying the engine was running too
> > smoothly
> > > > for that to be the cause) and did the job again, gratis. As soon as
I
> > got
> > > > it home, it was still leaking!
> > > >
> > > > Anyone else seen this scenario ? Comments about what I heard from
the
> > two
> > > > different shops ? I am wondering if I need to approach the dealer
for
> > some
> > > > kind of deal here, even though it is out of warranty.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Scott
> >
> > Sup Mic??? hey I see you found that spell check button!!! You guys got
your
> > a/c machine's ready to roll?

>
Where is here again?