How much would it cost to replace a water pump and timing with labor for a 3.0L 98 Plymouth Voyager minivan Caravan clone?

Answer 1

Here in Montreal (West Island) it will cost about $600 CAD. Might be a bit more or less in the US. The issue here is that if the belt breaks, it will take out the engine pretty much. So, if it's time to get it done do it right away without delay.

Another issue with this engine. Dodge stopped using it in I think 2003 as when it gets about 100K miles on it, it starts burning oil and there is nothing really you can do about it unless you want to rebuild the thing. Not worth it as the van is not now worth the cost of doing this. It's too bad really -- I like my caravan but now when I drive it, I smell the oil burning as it hits the muffler...It should be okay as long as you keep an eye on the oil...like ever 800 to 1000 miles check it. Also CHECK YOUR Transmission Fluid. This can be another issue for this van. If it needs fluid, there is a leak since the fluid does not get "used up". So keep an eye on that as well. You do want to be sure it does not leak on the muffler as most trans. fluid is closer to something like diesel fuel and can be flammable.

One other issue with this and many Chrysler autos - crappy printed circuit boards in the dash - sometimes all your gauges will go down..speedometer, fuel gauge etc. This will also cause your "Check Engine" light to come on. You can often get the gauges working again by banging your fist on the top of the dash above your instrument panel..a bit to the right most often will do it. A new printed circuit board is about $250 dollars US plus the cost of finding the bad one and replacing it all. Not easy since there are many to check at what, $60 to 70 dollars an hour? I just continue to bang my dash...I only need to get two more years out of this one before I get another car...which will not be a Chrysler product...You have to know that if repair places like the one I go to know all these problems across the board, then the auto maker knows to and does nothing to fix it. Just like the oxidation on the chrome wheels of the Sebring and such...makes the tires lose air and they won't fix the problem. To bad for them as they will continue to lose business to Ford, Toyota and other car makers like Suzuki.