Caravan 3.0 knocking

1996 Dodge Caravan 3.0 3spd A/T

Engine knocks loud and fast, oil is full and clean, looks like it was recently changed.

Possible transmission issue, barely moves in all forward gears, doesn't move at all in reverse.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Engine
• knock
• Caravan
• Chrysler
• Dodge
• 3.0
• 3l

[92sc2]

Oh, and the transmission now works, seems like sitting since july drained all of the fluid back into the pan, after some shifting it was operating normally.

[92sc2]

Update, I forgot to take my camera for the tear down, but my suspicions were confirmed today. After finally dropping the pan, It turns out that the number one rod bearing is gone, rattles like loose change. I'll be taking my camera tomorrow while I finish the repair.

[honkycabbit]

yea thats knock. i am an expert on those dodge 3.0 v6's how many miles? my lebaron has the same motor, and it has 176936 miles, the valves rattle sometimes during cold start, and it definitly doesnt sound like that. those usualy are very reliable engines.

[92sc2]

About 200000 kilometers

[nxmoparmatt84]

hmm, from the sound it seems like its on the top end, find out if the 3.0 is a interference fit motor, if so it would be tapping valves (not good, meaning bent valves) , check if it has a timing chain or belt, if belt, it could be caused by the timing belt being off a couple teeth (check timing marks) if the sound is on the bottom end it could be wrist pin, main or rod bearings.

[92sc2]

It's not an interference engine, so the valves aren't hitting, I'm anticipating rod bearings, I'll be taking off the pan tomorrow or the next day, so I'll know for sure then. I just bought the last of the stuff I need to do the full job, I'll probably post a video on the repair.

[Politcalamity]

@92sc2 Is it really viable to do that? I mean, to replace a rod bearing without just going ahead and rebuilding the entire engine. Sounds like more trouble than doing a full rebuild to me, but I could be wrong. Or to each their own.

I ask because I've 1. built my own engines a few times, and 2. own one of these 3.0s in a lebaron. It's nowhere near the mileage or condition yours is, but it will be someday.

[jayguy173]

check torque converter bolts

[MrRichierich1990]

definately sounds like a rod, hope it didn't spin the bearing, better get it checked or the whole engine is toast.

[projectspillman]

rods

[Jaytheredneck1]

lol no I actually put in brand new bearings, what I meant was that I soaked the bearings in oil before I installed them because I didn't have any assembly lube.

[localvic]

a lot of work just to soak some bearings in oil.

[scotterinsam]

I had one in my 93 daytona it would go

[netrioter]

Its actually a 6G72 Mitsubishi - 141 hp....i had 337k on my 1990 Daytona with the same drivetrain..and i redlined it every day for 10 years(dusted 6 clutches in 200k miles)....no smoke and i ran Mobil 1 synthetic.I dont see how the bearings went south like that....it went too long on a oil change or got overheated at one time. 3.0 mitsus are bulletproof if they get routine maintenance.

[Jaytheredneck1]

BTW, I'm 92sc2, this is my newer account. I took the car I got my name from off the road last year lol.