The torque converter went out of my wifes 1990 Grand Caravan today. It has 123000 miles on it and the body is in great shape for a Michigan truck. It has the 3.3L V6 with working AC. I'm debating on fixing it or parting it out. Just want to know what ya all think. If I were to part it out how would I get the word out? Also If I do part it out I also have a second caravan its a 93 with just over a 100K on it. Its got a rod knock'n engine but is driveable. Have any of you parted these things out? Any advice? Also If I were to pull the tranny out what could I expect to pay for a rebuild with a new converter?Thanks RB
gas28man
02-03-2005, 10:30 PM
In Michigan, a tranny rebuild will cost around $1,400 to $1,600 if someone else does all the work. Get on the phone and shop around. If you're within 30 miles of South Lyon, I highly recommend Norm's Total Auto. He's the most honest mechanic I've ever known, and he charges a fair price. He doesn't do tranny rebuilds in-house, so will probably farm the job out, but I'd still take it to him. Also, a drawback to going to Norm's: he's so popular, he's swamped with work, and you may have to wait a while to get your vehicle back, maybe a week or two. I've gone by there at 11 at night and he'll be in there working on his backlog.
If you pull it yourself (shudder, shudder), it might run about half that.
If it's a 1990 in good shape with working AC, I'd fix the tranny. Just look at the vehicle honestly and ask yourself 2 questions "Would I pay $(repair cost) to buy this vehicle if I didn't already own it?" and "Will the money I spend fixing this vehicle buy me something I would like better than this one?" Because if you don't fix it, you will end up buying something else. And you will probably spend more to buy a replacement vehicle.
If you decide on parting out, I'd get a cheap digital camera and learn how to use Ebay. It's simple, if a little time-consuming, but you can just sell one piece at a time, or put things together in packages. And you always make the Buyers pay shipping.
That's my $.02
Rick
Rulebreaker
02-04-2005, 07:07 AM
Thanks Rick. We already have a spare truck so no purchase is necessary. However we have a family of 6 so the Grand is nice to have. The Grand has had a knock at idle for over a year. I'm thinking it was the tranny but I would hate to overhaul it and find out it was a rod or main bearing. It runs great & the noise is only noticable at idle. I have used ebay allot but listing everything separate would be a pain. Thanks for your time! RB
McClane
02-04-2005, 10:55 AM
That is a tough call.
Your 1990 is 15 years old, so you'll have to ask yourself is it worth putting more money into a 15 year old vehicle ?
Plus, you already have a 2nd Caravan, so if you part it out you still have a family vehicle to drive around in.
On the other hand, if your 2nd Caravan gives up the ghost, you'll be hooped.
Rulebreaker
02-05-2005, 06:21 PM
After talking to the local tranny guy I have a feeling the spider gear pin came out and trashed the case. So I guess I'll part her out. I guess if you get these stuck in the snow and spin a tire it trashes the differential. Real nice! RB
