I have a few probably silly questions. :D I have always tuned up my vehicles over the years (even back when there were points in the vehicles).
I just purchased a used 99 Grand Caravan Sport 3.3 liter. I am in the process of tuning it up and I have not yet purchased a manual (I know, I know)...this is my first tranverse mounted engine vehicle...how do I get to the plugs in the rear??? Is there anything you can tell me about tuning up this vehicle (what is the tune up parts list)? The "distributor cap" looks different than what I am used to...where is the fuel filter?
I feel like I bought a Lunar Lander...I have never seen anything like what I see under my hood. ANY help from the experts would be incredibly appreciated as I am working on the van all day Sunday, the 18th. :help:
Thank you all in advance,
Joe
grafixjoe
07-18-2004, 02:31 PM
...anybody?
...at least tell me how do I get to the 3 plugs in the rear???
grafixjoe
07-19-2004, 12:02 AM
...c'mon fellas...a little help, please? :)
gas28man
07-19-2004, 10:47 AM
I have heard of two strategies for getting at those 3 plugs in the back.
The first requires you to pull off the windshield wipers and that black cowl panel that is underneath them. This supposedly gives you more room to snake your arm and a tool down in there.
The second is to get underneath the vehicle and reach up from underneath. There is a little more room this way.
In both cases, you still need the right combination of wrenches, extenders, sockets and whatnot. And a different combination works on each cylinder.
I gave up and just took it to a mechanic. As I recall, he charged me $55, which included hooking up the three plug wires I had bought as well.
I know it's a wound to the pride of a DIY guy to pay someone to put in spark plugs, but ultimately you have to ask yourself, what is your time and aggravation worth?
Rick
grafixjoe
07-19-2004, 10:59 AM
...what a friggin' nightmare. I thought it was hard to get to the plug behind the A/C compressor on my 94 Grand Cherokee...this is a lot tougher...but I have to at least try to do it (I'll repost later and let you know how it goes) - THANX, Rick, for taking the time!
ANYBODY ELSE have any words of wisdom before I dive in??? I appreciate it very much.
Joe
Az5.9Durango
07-19-2004, 02:25 PM
I found this at http://www.allpar.com/mopar/33.html
Maintenance(Contributor unknown) Finally got around to replacing spark plugs on my Caravan and knew it would be difficult. It took me 3 hours for that one plug alone all the rest were pretty accessible My main purpose is to caution any one attempting to do this.
!!! DISSCONNECT THE BATTERY BEFORE WORKING ON THE BACK 3 PLUGS !!!
While under there doing them I got some arcing and sparking (no apparent damage).
I have read some other posts on the tune ups and would not recommend doing your back plugs unless you have lots of patience and small arms (plus a box of band aids) .
grafixjoe
07-19-2004, 03:25 PM
I looked at that site...no help whatsoever - but thanx anyway. I've lost my share of skin on tune-ups on my older vehicles - that part does not scare me. This is my first Dodge (transverse) so I don't know what to expect.
Thanx for takin' the time to find those threads. I'm pretty stubborn in the way that I have to at least try to do this one time. If you hear of anything else on the subject, please post again.
Thanx again!!!
Lscman
07-25-2004, 10:09 AM
I can see all three of my rear plugs by leaning over and viewing the rear of the motor with my head positioned just above the battery. Pushing a trouble light up through the bottom and sitting it on the exhaust manifold flange nicely illuminates the situation. A couple of 3/8" extensions and flex joints should work. Getting the new plug started without cross-thread or damaging the electrode may be a little tricky. You'd better ponder & remember how each plug is angled & positioned before removing it, because inserting & starting it will be done by feel. Remove all wires and install one plug at a time, so you can observe "plug angle" into head.
...mass production is not the key to spark plug swap.
concord
07-25-2004, 11:43 AM
I removed the throttle body. Kinda a pain in the a$$ but it was a perfect time to replace valve cover gaskets also. There is no way to get these plugs from underneath.
Concord
grafixjoe
07-25-2004, 12:05 PM
Lscman,
Thanx for writing - I appreciate it. Since I first posted here, I got a manual and I have talked with a few Caravan people. Everyone has pretty much given up and taken it to a mechanic. I am still determined to do this.
You stated:
"I can see all three of my rear plugs by leaning over and viewing the rear of the motor with my head positioned just above the battery."
I don't know what year vehicle or engine you have, but I definitely cannot see the plugs at all anywhere from the battery vantage point (I can see the tip of one of the plug wires, but that's it). I would have to remove the entire air intake manifold completely (which curves over to the back - completely covering the back of the motor) just to get a decent hand on one. There is absolutely no way to get hands or tools in through the top without removing other major components.
I was hoping someone might answer who has done a tune-up on this type vehicle (99 Gr Crvn Sprt 3.3 flexfuel) and could tell me the BEST WAY to get to those 3 back plugs. Do I have to remove the windshield / wiper cowl? The intake manifold? The manual says to remove the serpentine belt and the alternator to get to plug #1, and remove the resonator (?) and the intake strut (?) to get to #3 & #5.
Is there an easier way? Are there any Dodge mechanics on this forum with a few words of wisdom for a someone willing to try?
Thanx a lot for your help, folks.
- Joe
concord
07-25-2004, 12:13 PM
Buy and intake plenum gasket at carquest and 2 valve cover gaskets while your there. Take the plenum off and change plugs,wires and gaskets.
grafixjoe
07-25-2004, 12:43 PM
...that seems to make the most sense from what I'm looking at.
Thanx concord.
concord
07-25-2004, 12:48 PM
If you have any questions let me know. I've got the scraped knuckles to help you through it;-)
John
grafixjoe
07-25-2004, 12:54 PM
John,
Thanx so much for getting back to me - very much appreciated!!!
Is it just the 4 bolts (besides the air intake throttle body) and the plenum comes off? It there a lot more involved with the removal? Just one gasket? You don't use any blue goo or anything on the gasket, right?
Lscman
07-26-2004, 09:57 AM
Removing valve covers and plenum is extra work & hassle. It can also result in added complications.
The plugs can be reached from above or below. I can change plugs faster than I can remove the rear valve cover.
Rear plugs can be changed in about an hour in a conventional manner.
concord
07-26-2004, 10:28 AM
Lscman,
Obviously you haven't done rear plugs on this 3.3 litre engine. You don't have to remove valve covers. You are replacing the valve cover gaskets because it's the perfect time with everything exposed. There is no way you can reach these plugs from underneath. 1995 and older you can.
Grafixjoe,
Remove battery
Disconnect throttle,cruise cables etc.
Remove intake plenum with snorkel as an assembly. This way you only have to buy the Plenum to intake manifold gasket.
There are 3 bolts that hold the harness for the alternator on the back of the plenum. remove these or when you pull on the plenum your just going to be yaking on the harness. You have to loose alternator bracket and rotate it out of way.
Once you pull the plenum off you'll be glad you did. Excellent access to change your wires, plugs and throw on the new valve cover gasket.
