...is one motor better than the other ? Any HORRID service issues ? ....how about tranny probs ? ... 2003 year

They are the same in terms of reliability.

Rock solid pushrod engines. Unrefined when compared to their multivalve OHC competition from Japan, but no major issues to speak of.

And no timing belt to change.

The A604 transmissions have their problems, but by that year they were far better than when first introduced.

MB

Noticeably more power with the 3.8, both solid engines. Keep the oil clean (mine likes NAPA synthetic) and youre good to go.

My 01 Minvan has a 5 pinion planetary, earlier ones had 3 or 4 and failed. I assume an 03 would have a 5 as well.

Later 604s have the cross pin retiainers installed. The pin used to hold the cross shaf tin would brake and the cross shaft would come out. Game over, my 01 had the retainers. Again, I assume an 03 would as well.

There is a thurst bearing in the convertor that fails on some 604s. When it fails, the beairng pieces tear up the lock up clutch, and thos clutch peices plug up the lube circuit. Game over for the planetary. It tosses a code, so you get some warning.

I use valvoline ATF+4 in my 604s. Dont use dextron or any additives.

Dump the OEM trans cooler in the radiator, and go solely with an auxiliary cooler. Space the cooler away from the radiator if you can.

All in all, not a bad engine/trans package. I am currently puting a 3.8/604 into a 99 minivan that originally had a 3.0/403 trans. SHort wheel base van, only options were tinted windows,AC and Cruise. My 1 Town and Country will get 26/27 MPG on the highway - used to get 22-24 until I rebuilt the trans (lock up clutch and bearing failure) I used the better friction material and a hand built convertor (no bearing) and my MPG went way up. Hopefully the bigger engine in the light weight van will exceed my loaded town and country mileage. 3.0 would barely get 19 mpg with no passengers or cargo.

THX guys .....

which motor is a better deal and will produce better MPG ? ...and is a AWD Caravan something to look at ?

Doc I have a 3.3 in the 96 Concord.Never any problems.I bought it new and on the road it still gets 30 MPG.My kid was averaging 25 city and highway.My niece has a 3.8 in her mini van.Gets about 28 highway.Rocky

My SWB '04 Town and Country 3.3 gets 23 mpg, even fully loaded with rearend parts.

2WD vans get around fine with studded snow tires.

I have had both 3.3 and 3.8. Both GREAT engines, the 3.3 did about 1-2 MPG more. But the 3.8 has a little more get up and go. I have a 3.8 now but I would not hesitate to buy a 3.3 agian.

Scott

3.3 and 3.8 are basically the same engine apart from the additional .5L displacement. I have heard that the AWD minivans are pigs on fuel.

THX again guyz ...

WHEN did they get transmissions more-or-less trouble free? Are there earlier years to absolutely stay-away from ?

And is the 3.3 the same as way back in the early 90's ? IIRC ... there were big-time cyl head issues then.

ARE THERE any other things to consider? .... I remember a topic a while back about a Stratus? ... where changing a water-pump was a HUGE job. 2700$ ..... or something like that - at a dealer.

DON'T want anything like that. I have had it EZ so far ... all my daily-driver stuff that I have had so far(lately) have been 2.2/2.5 4-bangers.

I only had 1 3.8 with a head problem at work.The rocker stand sheared and needed a new head.The water pump is as easy as can be.Its just a disc type like the early BB pump.Only real problem was the rear heater lines.I fixed probally 30 at work.We were just cutting the bad steel section out and using a longer rubber hose.Took about an hour start to finish.Rocky

We use a 3.8 in a 99 Caravan to tow cars from St. Louis, 125 miles away. 208k miles, 20 mpg towing, tons of room in the back to haul parts with the seats removed. Had to change the torque converter. And bypass the tranny cooler in the radiator when it cracked. That's about it.

One of the solidest power packages I have ever had.

I agree- the 3.0 were junk but the 3.3/3.8's are virtually bulletproof- I only have to change the t-chains around 200K. the trannys are another story

The wifes 05 Grand Caravan, 53,000 miles. Burns about a third a quart of oil per tank of gas. Anyone ever have this problem?

Wifes 03 grand caravan has 227,732 miles no engine or trannie problems,just normal mat. have a few other customers with them just over 200k no major problems.both engines are great,same engines,3.8 bigger bore.

We used to get 33 MPG highway in out '94 Intrepid ES w/180k+ on the odo. I found it had plenty of power when called upon. Plenty.