Dodge Caravan (actually Chrysler Voyager) leaking coolant

OPIKLOP

MEMBER
DODGE CARAVAN

I have a 1995 Chrysler Voyager LE (3.3, V6), with about 205 000 kilometres (as I live in Finland) on the meter. A few days ago the heater stopped blowing warm air and soon after that the engine started overheating.

The radiator was empty and the fan fuse was out. After filling the radiator, I could see coolant dripping from under the engine. The leak was pretty big, because it emptied the radiator in about 30 mins. The leak was only visible when the engine was running.

Then, all of a sudden, the leaking stopped. At the local repair shop the mechanic couldn't spot any leaking at all. Still, his guess was that it was a head gasket problem.

Now, is there a hose linked to the radiator somewhere on the driver's side of the engine? I couldn't see any leaks from above the engine, and the leakage point is not under the radiator itself. What could be wrong here?

3 Replies

LES DANE

MEMBER
52 POSTS

Make sure system is full of coolant or water and pressure test the system. If the rad cap says 16 lbs, test system to 16 lbs. If there is no external leak and pressure does not hold, remove spark plugs and have someone turn over engine while you observe. If coolant/water comes from plug hole you have your answer. Some leaks are only evident after cooling of the engine overnight.

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Thursday, April 19th, 2007 AT 6:22 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

A simple pressure test will tell. Seems if when the engine warms up the leak stops. It could be a head gasket. I would run the pressure test to confir before using a wrench!

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Thursday, April 19th, 2007 AT 6:23 PM

OPIKLOP

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2 POSTS

Thanks for your advice. Today I drove around for about 45 mins, and the engine didn't leak a single drop of coolant / water, nor did I have any overheating problems. I guess I'll have to take the pressure test, if the problem occurs again.

Somehow I feel it might be the water pump that caused the problem. The mechanic told me that the pump has a
valve that let's liquid out in case of something blocking the system. Maybe I had a piece of rusty metal or something blocking the pump at some point.

At least I'm hoping this is what happened, since a head gasket job would cost a small fortune here, with estimates starting from about 1000 euros (about $1360).

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Friday, April 20th, 2007 AT 1:45 PM