Engine revs?

Tiny
CARAVANMOM
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 61,000 MILES
It's sounds like my engine is revving when the vehicle is at normal rmps. The faster I drive the louder the sound and the slower it does quiet some. I'll get up to about 70mph and then turn the gear to nuetral the high revving sounds continues even when taken out of gear. The engine is twice as loud as it was about 6 months ago. You can even hear it when the radio is playing. The engine, brakes and rotars have been looked over and appear to be fine.
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Friday, November 2nd, 2012 AT 10:16 PM

39 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
So it sounds more like you just hear a noise while driving down the road maybe from somewhere then the engine?Also haqve you checked the wheel bearing yet?
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Friday, November 2nd, 2012 AT 10:28 PM
Tiny
DURTTYMUMMY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,000 MILES
My father in-law just had a water pump replaced by a mechanic on his van. Now there are issues(#1) with the engine operating temperature taking an unusual amount of time getting to normal. Also it is fluctuating (between norm and slightly below) while driving.(#2)Now seemingly connected to issue above, with heat on and blower working.(All fan speeds are working properly and all position selections are also) there is heated air only when engine is at higher (driving type) rpms, or in park revved to same. When rpm's are slowed only cool air is blown. Steps taken so far by him and myself are: changed radiator cap, thermostat/gasket changed. So far no change in above issues. Thank you in advance for any helpful suggestions that may be offered. Thanks again.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNNY G.JR
  • MECHANIC
  • 320 POSTS
Cooling system needs the air bleed out of system, purged of air. Check on this web site under cooling systems.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNNY G.JR
  • MECHANIC
  • 320 POSTS
There might be a bleeder valve on that cooling system.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DURTTYMUMMY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi, JOHNNY G. JR and thank you for your swift response. While awaiting an answer I found a few more posts with similar issues and they seem to agree with you. Once again I am very thankful for your help. I hope the holidays find you and yours full of happiness and joy. Thank you.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
Please let us know happens so it will help others and tell a friend.

Best, Ken
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATTY JO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 93,500 MILES
My 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan has approx. 93,500 miles on it. Recently in the last 2 months the rpms are fluctuating only when I have the ac on.
You can feel it to the point where you go forward in your seat when the rpms go down. Used to be freeway only when it happen. Now its doing it in the city. Needle just bobs back and forth unless I accelerate or put the break on. Traveling this weekend and im afraid to get on road.
Please. Any advice? Someone said an idle compensator?
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
First, there is what is called an idle air control motor (IAC). Its purpose is to keep a smooth idle (only) and prevent an engine stall when stopped by allowing air to enter the throttle body when the throttle plate closes (foot off the gas). What you are dealing with sounds more like the throttle position sensor (TPS). However, it should have turned the check engine light on. Has that happened? Please keep in mind, it "should" have turned the light on, but it doesn't always happen.

You may want to have that checked. NOTE: If your problem happens at idle (the engine RPM's go up and down) the IAC is most likely the problem.

One final thing, make sure there are no vacuum leaks.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MACMAN18
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
I own a 2001 dodge caravan. Recently I started it and drove to the store and noticed that the rpms was running at 5000 and I was going 50 mph. So I figured the trasmission was staying in 1st gear I was told that there was a rod that needed lubed that runs into the trasmission. I dont no if thats correct or where there rod is located or what the rob is called.
I hope you can help me. And the van dont have overdrive
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

Most likely it is stuck in 2nd gear and in what is called Limp Mode.

Is your engine light on? If so go by your local auto zone and have them pull codes. Post here in forum.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAROLD HESS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 99,800 MILES
Ini problem, oily overflow from rediator, small bubbles in water. Replaced head gasket. Drained fluid into a ijug- it was slippery like oily and black. Turns out the thermostat was bad and only opened 10%. The jug was setting for a few days, now it is pink with no slug or oil in it. It was a bear changing the head & all belts. Now the engine starts but will not rev up correctly. Checked all connectors.

What would be the symtons if the timing belt is off by 1 tooth?

Why was the antifreeze black and slippery, but now pink with no signs of oil in it?
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
If you were one tooth off, the engine would miss and not want to run. Chances are it would also backfire. Also, as far as the coolant, the black oily substance could have been fuel mixed with a little oil that has evaporated.

Has the check engine light come on? Also, make sure the crank sensor connection is tight and clean. And, has the check engine light come on?
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAROLD HESS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The check engine light operates normally. After a short drive it comes on.

How would oil an gas get into the antifreeze? I could not detect any damage to the old head gasket.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Have you had the computer scanned to determine why the light is coming on? Most parts stores will do it for free. My guess is that there is a sensor problem causing this to happen.

As far as the oil / coolant / gas. It can come from a cracked or warped head, warped block, but usually a bad head gasket. Don't panic. Many times you can't tell where the gasket was leaking.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAROLD HESS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I disagree with the first reply to my original question.
I replaced a broken timing belt on a Chevette, that was assembled "off" by 1 tooth. Being off by 1 tooth alignment, the car started and would rev up ok. However, the car would only go 40 mph. I reset the itming belt by 1 tooth without the use of a timing light, because I was way out in the boonies on I70.
Then I was able to continue on my way to Ohio at the normal speed limit of 65MPH.

I was disappointed with your answere. Everything that was suggested was tried before I sent the question.

Therefore, I request my donation back. I was expecting more of a professional answere back.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JZEITLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 137,000 MILES
02 Dodge Grand Caravan started "lurchng" with momentary rpm spikes at high speed. The engine stalled when I stopped. I let it cool down and all was ok for about 10 miles. Same thing. A mechanic rode with me with code reader and could find nothing (it didn't malfunction) during that 20 test! Afterwards, it started again. The cruise control seemed to set it off on uphill inclines as I experimented with different speeds, on/off cruise, etc. The tranny acted up as I started up, then calmed down when I pumped the accelerator a few times. Tried starting out without cruise and no problem at high speed until I set cruise on. Suddenly all was good, no problem for 100 miles. Then notices a lurch starting out from stop sign? The major problem started after passing trhough a heavy rain storm. Tranny or cruise problem? I had noticed some subtile tranny slips at startup a few weeks before this all happened.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
It sounds like the trans is slipping. When was the last service with a new filter?
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JZEITLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The last transmission service (fluid and filter) was about 70,000 miles ago). Two mechanics have told me the fluid still looks good and does not smell burnt. Another mechanic recently tried "retraining" it and said it seems to work better now. I asked for a fluid and filter change but he said that would not make a difference!
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
There have been situations where the filter plugged and caused problems. It was just a thought.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CASCADES91
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The technician's advice above is very good.

I'm just a person who must maintain my own vehicles due to economic necessity (low income medical disability). Minivan transmissions seem to be notorious for problems. I believe that one of the reasons is that these newer transmissions are engineered differently, require more frequent fluid and filter changes than older transmissions and this fact is often neglected by owners. (And some mechanics) The owner's manual on my 98 Caravan SE recommends transmission service at 30,000 miles and 15,000 miles under heavy use conditions. Look up the service schedule in your manual. BE SURE TO USE THE CORRECT FLUID! The cost of replacing a transmission due to simple service neglect is too high for me to take any chances. It's inexpensive and as suggested just might help remedy your problem or help prolong the life of your transmission
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)

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