94 Caravan antifreeze leak. . .ideas? estimate?

I try to figure out how to repair this thing myself as much as I can,
but this one is out of my league. I've had an antifreeze leak for a
while (although the van has sat idle for the past year). It's coming
from near the back of the engine, and not from any hoses that I can
see. I got under it, and still don't see anything (although I'm not
sure what I'm looking for). From reading around online I'm guessing
maybe the head gaskets? Are there any other possibilities, and could
anyone tell me roughly how much I could expect to pay for the repair? I
need to figure out whether I pay to get it back in shape, or take it to
the junkyard. It still runs very well, so I'm hoping it's not much.

Any help is very much appreciated.

On Wed, 13 Jul 2005, about_that_time wrote:

> I try to figure out how to repair this thing myself as much as I can,
> but this one is out of my league. I've had an antifreeze leak for a
> while (although the van has sat idle for the past year). It's coming
> from near the back of the engine, and not from any hoses that I can see.
> I got under it, and still don't see anything (although I'm not sure what
> I'm looking for). From reading around online I'm guessing maybe the head
> gaskets

Good possibility. What engine is in your Caravan?

"about_that_time" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I try to figure out how to repair this thing myself as much as I can,
> but this one is out of my league. I've had an antifreeze leak for a
> while (although the van has sat idle for the past year). It's coming
> from near the back of the engine, and not from any hoses that I can
> see. I got under it, and still don't see anything (although I'm not
> sure what I'm looking for). From reading around online I'm guessing
> maybe the head gaskets? Are there any other possibilities, and could
> anyone tell me roughly how much I could expect to pay for the repair? I
> need to figure out whether I pay to get it back in shape, or take it to
> the junkyard. It still runs very well, so I'm hoping it's not much.
>
> Any help is very much appreciated.
>

Not sure which engine, but the 3.0 has a crossover tube that runs across the
top of the engine. Mine had same symptoms as you indicate (though mine was
also dripping on top of transmission housing). Turned out the O-ring between
the two sections of cross-over tube was bad. Replaced it and leak no more.

I have a 94 GC with the 3.3 l engine (pretty much the same as the
3.8).

When I purchased the van, it had a small amount of coolant loss. I had
it inspected before purchase and the verdict was that it was the head
gasket.

I managed to get a price reduction in the van and had the head gasket
replaced. I thought this would be a good thing since I could then get
an indication of the internal engine condition. Internally, my engine
was in great shape, and the heads were near purfect (minimal planing
to true).

Ever since the head gasket was done, I have not lost so much as one
drop of coolant.

The leak in my engine was on the back of the engine, and near the
corner of the back on the passengers side of the vehicle. And it
pretty much had to be on a hoist to be seen - but the mechanic knew
exactly what he was looking at.

Use the genuine Chrysler head gasket as it is beter quality that
after-market, and it is also WAY cheaper.

Not sure how labour is where you are, but it cost me $1100 CDN$
including all taxes, parts, and labour.

hth


On 13 Jul 2005 10:59:00 -0700, "about_that_time"
> wrote:

>I try to figure out how to repair this thing myself as much as I can,
>but this one is out of my league. I've had an antifreeze leak for a
>while (although the van has sat idle for the past year). It's coming
>from near the back of the engine, and not from any hoses that I can
>see. I got under it, and still don't see anything (although I'm not
>sure what I'm looking for). From reading around online I'm guessing
>maybe the head gaskets? Are there any other possibilities, and could
>anyone tell me roughly how much I could expect to pay for the repair? I
>need to figure out whether I pay to get it back in shape, or take it to
>the junkyard. It still runs very well, so I'm hoping it's not much.
>
>Any help is very much appreciated.
>

"about_that_time" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> I try to figure out how to repair this thing myself as much as I can,
> but this one is out of my league. I've had an antifreeze leak for a
> while (although the van has sat idle for the past year). It's coming
> from near the back of the engine, and not from any hoses that I can
> see. I got under it, and still don't see anything (although I'm not
> sure what I'm looking for). From reading around online I'm guessing
> maybe the head gaskets? Are there any other possibilities, and could
> anyone tell me roughly how much I could expect to pay for the repair? I
> need to figure out whether I pay to get it back in shape, or take it to
> the junkyard. It still runs very well, so I'm hoping it's not much.
>

If it's a 3.0 then you might take it to the junkyard, but a 3.3 or 3.8
is worth repairing. However, seriously, don't take it to the junkyard,
if you sell it as is you will get more for it than a junkyard will give
you, and someone will certainly buy it, even with a leak.

Ted