1989 Dodge Caravan SE review from North America

First of all, sorry for my poor English.

Slightly leaking gasket was neutralized by decreasing the resistance of a temperature sensor by 20%, drilling of small hole in the thermostat, special breakage of a small valve located on the bottom of the radiator cup. Now I have atmospheric pressure in the cooling system all time, fan starts when the temperature reaches 95 degrees celcius.

It was successful long term re-animation.

Knocking noise from front suspension was eliminated by replaced 4 rubber bushings (7$ each).

Heater fan was worn and replaced with a new old one from a yard.

Short connection in the wires for the radiator blower power supply was diagnosed not too soon, because it disappeared periodically.

Electric stuff was corroded heavily under the hood, especially near the battery and headlights, it needed to be sprayed periodically 2 times a year.

Sensor of a speed on the transmission was never working, so the turbocharger was always off which is good for a long life with this vehicle.

Previous owner changed the transmission once after the first 50000 km, the second transmission worked till 282000 km and at last gave a leak from a place where it meets engine.

The vehicle was bought with broken stabilizer bar.

Radio was filled with a coffee, I fixed it: I added parallel power switch.

Light "check engine" had no ground, I took one from a neighbouring bulb.

A metal pipe with power steering liquid has got small sharp stones in rubber insulator where this pipe was secured on cross beam; these stones went through a metal wall. The leak was fixed by a bandage from oil resistant rubber and 3 geared straps.

When I have bought it, the steering wheel had a freedom of 40 degrees because of worn steering ball joints, it was the first thing I changed. Previous owner was a priest and god saved him.

It is nice van. Some repairs were reasonable. All the defective parts were replaced by the previous owner. I know that Chrysler have decreased quality later because the most Americans and Canadians prefer pay less for an object looking like a vehicle. So the taste of regular home owners and housewives was the major reason.