Is the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder in the '99 Caravan any good?

Lynn in StLou wrote:

> Twas written.....
>
>>
>> Most people i know with the dodges are also putting trannies in them
>> every 60 to 80K. If that one has NOT been already rebuilt, chances are
>> it could be due. Its a crap shoot anyway you look at it.
>
>
> A lot of this may be due to maintenance on the trans. We have a 92
> Caravan that in the first 90K, we put in three transmissions. With the
> third one, I started doing fluid changes at 25K mile intervals. We just
> turned over 201K and trans is doing very well. The key, IMO, is to
> follow the heavy use maintenance schedules. Granted, there's a 3.3 in
> front of mine, but it is the same trans, just a different designation.

The key is to service the transmission regularly under the heavy use
schedule, and to only use Chrysler type fluid. Even though the dipstick
and the instructions on the early ones like your 92 say you can use
Dexron, YOU CAN NOT without damaging the transmission. Every Tom, Dick
and Cheapie Harry from Armpit, Arkansas can see that Dexron fluid is
cheaper at Wal-Mart than the Chrysler fluid. But the savings won't buy
a transmission rebuild once the damage is done.

Newer ones, beginning with the 95 models, also seem to have better
computer programming, which can be "flashed" into the transmission
controller on some of the older ones, too.

Justin. The transmission should be ok as long as you properly change the
fluid. The power is adequate, but do not expect to tow, or climb hills with
any speed. I would think you could sell the venture, get more cash that
way and then buy the caravan at cost and make more money
"Gene Poon" > wrote in message
...
> Justin wrote:
>
> > We have a chance to trade our loaded '99 Chevy Venture for a '99 Caravan
> > and a bit of money. The reason I want to trade is the 3400 in the
Venture
> > has a lot of known problems which haven't crept up yet but I want to get
> > out of it before they do. Plus I've always been a Dodge/Plymouth fan.
The
> > '99 Caravan is a base model, power nothing, just AC, a stereo, with the
2.4
> > engine, thus allowing us to get some cash out of the deal, too. Is the
2.4
> > any good and is it powerful enough for a van? Same engine they put into
> > the Stratus/Cirrus? Thanks.
>
> Same engine as the Stratus and PT Cruiser. Earlier ones had problems
> with head gaskets blowing. A new gasket introduced in 1998 is much
> better. I think it's acceptable in the Stratus, plenty of torque but
> noisier than the Mitsu V6. It will perform less well in a minivan, just
> due to weight; but ultimately only you can decide if it's powerful enough.
>
>
>

Justin. The transmission should be ok as long as you properly change the
fluid. The power is adequate, but do not expect to tow, or climb hills with
any speed. I would think you could sell the venture, get more cash that
way and then buy the caravan at cost and make more money
"Gene Poon" > wrote in message
...
> Justin wrote:
>
> > We have a chance to trade our loaded '99 Chevy Venture for a '99 Caravan
> > and a bit of money. The reason I want to trade is the 3400 in the
Venture
> > has a lot of known problems which haven't crept up yet but I want to get
> > out of it before they do. Plus I've always been a Dodge/Plymouth fan.
The
> > '99 Caravan is a base model, power nothing, just AC, a stereo, with the
2.4
> > engine, thus allowing us to get some cash out of the deal, too. Is the
2.4
> > any good and is it powerful enough for a van? Same engine they put into
> > the Stratus/Cirrus? Thanks.
>
> Same engine as the Stratus and PT Cruiser. Earlier ones had problems
> with head gaskets blowing. A new gasket introduced in 1998 is much
> better. I think it's acceptable in the Stratus, plenty of torque but
> noisier than the Mitsu V6. It will perform less well in a minivan, just
> due to weight; but ultimately only you can decide if it's powerful enough.
>
>
>