1987 Dodge Caravan LE from North America - Comments

Timing chain guides worn out when I bought it.

Exhaust air aspirators, air cleaner bucket rotted out completely.

Radiator cooling fins rotted completely away at bottom end.

Carburetor malfunction causing over-rich condition melted catalytic converter and plugged muffler.

Driver's power seat frame cracked.

Tilt-wheel column upper bearings failed causing loose upper column condition.

This van was a dealer trade in I bought for $700. Previously owned by an older couple, it was driven to death. I have since repaired or replaced all of the defective parts using either new (dealer-ouch!) parts or junkyard parts.

The only major worry with this van other than the rear door latch which is a recall item and any dealer will fix for free was the timing chain guides which fail and can cause the pistons to hit the valves should the timing chain break or fall off it's gears. (This means it's new engine time.).

This has a fairly luxurious cabin and is comfortable on long trips, but the engine is way too small for the vehicle it has to move.

The 2.6L Mitsubishi engine also has a tendency to cause numb hands on the steering wheel due to the vibrations even though the engine is counterbalanced and the ride tends to be a bit stiff and springy.

The van is however cavernous when the two rear seats are removed providing room to haul a full sized refrigerator or an entire hockey team and gear.

If it had a fuel injected V6, it would be worth it's weight in gold.

I hear you as regarding the engine; the Mitsubishi engine in 2 caravans my lady friend had were plagued with timing chain slap. Also, the motor is grossly inadequate in powering such a large barge--especially when it is full of cargo!

This motor seems to be quite fragile. It cannot tolerate even one boil over without serious risk of a failed head or head gasket. We have had three episodes of such. The third was on the second engine of the car she now has. We are planning not to go further.

Unfortunately, she wants another Caravan. I will admit that it is very useful in her application, but the models she's had have been real money pits. I've told her that she is not to consider any purchase of a year before '94, and it should have no more than 120 K on the clock. Also, it should not use any 4 cylinder ever put in these vans, and also not the 3.0 liter engine, as it has issues with oil consumption through the valve guides, and I won't allow anyone I care about drive any vehicle the engine of which uses a timing belt to drive the cam.

I'm Carl from Philippines...

I own a 1987 DODGE CARAVAN automatic transmission, it's true that the 4 cylinder engine might underpower the van. But, I still LOVE IT!

It's comfortable, but why is it the engine is underpower when going up hills?... Is there something wrong with my transmission?

Or with the clutch in automatic transmission.. THANKS!