1997 Dodge Caravan Oil Pump Check

Tiny
KYLE53
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 DODGE CARAVAN
Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 100K miles

I had an noise coming from the left side valve cover of my 1997 dodge grand caravan 3.8 liter engine, and found 2 worn valves, and what looked like to be a lack of and or over heated oil. The color of the rockers and inside of the head was a copper bronze color. I have replaced the head and valve train, and alos the oil pan pick-up screen and tube.

My question is there any way to tell if the mechanical oil pump is working up to speed without having to do a removal of the pump. I thought that the cause may have been a faulty lifters, and with the exhaust valve not opening fully that may have caused the overheating, but I still suspect an oil issue is also possible.

I have completed the head repair and I can start the engine, but I am still a little baffled on the lack of oil and or burning oil in the left head, and I do not want to run the engine to long if there is an oil issue.

The 2 valves that were damaged were 1 intake & 1 exhaust valve each on individual cylinders and they were worn down approx 3/16"at the rocker arm contact. Both the valve stem and rocker arm contact were worn.
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Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 AT 1:11 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Hi:
There is an oil pressure gauge you can get that plugs into the oil sending unit to measure pressure. I don't know if any of the parts stores near you lend tools, but that would be my first try.

Also, if the oil pressure gauge in the van shows good pressure, and there is no knocking or other internal engine sounds, my guess is it's good. But, it wouldn't hurt to check.

Also, there were problems with the rocker towers on some 3.8. Did you check it for cracks?

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Thursday, November 27th, 2008 AT 9:07 PM

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