2000 Town and Country Starting Problem

Since we bought our van, it has had a problem where it takes long crank time to start and by the time it starts, you smell gas. This only happens on a cold engine start in any weather condition, and it happens every time the engine is cold. After the engine warms up, it starts right up.

We took it to the dealer, and they upgraded the computer, decarboned the fuel injectors, and from there claimed they could not reproduce the problem. That was an expensive mistake, because the problem still occurs. We then took it to another shop that gave it a tune-up, and it STILL HAPPENS!

Please help if you can, we are very frustrated with this since we smell gas when this happens.

Thank you

Since we bought our van, it has had a problem where it takes long crank time to start and by the time it starts, you smell gas. This only happens on a cold engine start in any weather condition, and it happens every time the engine is cold. After the engine warms up, it starts right up.

We took it to the dealer, and they upgraded the computer, decarboned the fuel injectors, and from there claimed they could not reproduce the problem. That was an expensive mistake, because the problem still occurs. We then took it to another shop that gave it a tune-up, and it STILL HAPPENS!

Please help if you can, we are very frustrated with this since we smell gas when this happens.

Thank you

I have the same problem.....I wish somebody could help us out!

I have the same problem.....I wish somebody could help us out!


I have the exact same problem with my 2000 Grand Caravan. The diagnostic tests showed no problems. I had the fuel pump replaced on the advice of the dealership service dept. and another mechanic. Very expensive...and it did not fix the problem. I am very concerned about the smell of gas. Does anybody have a solution?

I have the exact same problem with my 2000 Grand Caravan. The diagnostic tests showed no problems. I had the fuel pump replaced on the advice of the dealership service dept. and another mechanic. Very expensive...and it did not fix the problem. I am very concerned about the smell of gas. Does anybody have a solution?

I'd never go back to THAT dealership - if you smell gas how the heck could the fuel pump be bad - just wondering......

Might be a vacuum or air intake leak - or something as simple as your stepping on the gas while starting the car?

I'd never go back to THAT dealership - if you smell gas how the heck could the fuel pump be bad - just wondering......

Might be a vacuum or air intake leak - or something as simple as your stepping on the gas while starting the car?

Thanks for the suggestion. I will check for a vacuum or air intake leak. I'm sure it is not due to stepping on the gas. Thank you