93 Caravan overheating

Our doge caravan is over heating. We replaced the raditor which was cracked but the problem still has not resolved. Was told we need a new head?? Help! Does that sound correct. Only other problems is that the engine burns oil quickly, We have to add a quart every week.

If your engine is over heating due to the head, then it is assume that it is cracked and is leaking water into the cylinders. If there is no water missing then I doubt it is your head.
When was the last time you changed out the thermostat? Is your radiator cap still sealing correctly? Are the cooling fans working (electrical/mechanical)?

seems to me that if you are burning that much oil a significant amount of smoke would be visible. You can check compression on each cylinder to determine if any of the rings are no longer sealing right. also, it possible that your valve guide seals are worn out and oil is getting in there, but smoke would only show up on start ups...

is this a 2.5L 4 cylinder van?

If it is, it's probably just the head gasket, and hopefully the head isn't out of whack enough that it's cracked and or warped already.

Also, flush out your heater core, it will make the car run hotter, and restrict the water flow enough to give you "too hot" symptoms, especially in the summer, when you don't run the heater.

The head and or head gasket job isn't too terribly complex, but be sure to use new, pre-streched head bolts, and torque them twice, and properly as in the factory manual.

Good luck,

Slantsixness

I have a 96 Grand Caravan, 3.0 V6, that began overheating in June. I noticed that the radiator fan did not run. It was very dificult to turn by hand (with engine off) and the 30Amp fuse was blown.

BTW. All antifreeze & thermostat was flushed and changed within 1 year.

I replaced the fan assembly. It now runs OK. But, only when the A/C is on. All of my parts guys tell me that there is a separate engine temp sensor that tells the computer the engine temp ( not the temp sensor that feeds the engine temp gauge). This engine temp sensor governs the fan operation via a relay in the computer.

OK. I bought the $16 sensor. But, cannot find its location. Any body know its location on a 3.0 V6? My Chiltons manual does not show the location either.

Thanks, Steve

OK. I bought the $16 sensor. But, cannot find its location. Any body know its location on a 3.0 V6? My Chiltons manual does not show the location either.

Thanks, Steve[/QUOTE]

Did you find out where that sensor goes yet - think I need one too, but not sure where to look.

Nope. I never found it. I live in Pensylvania, and had my annual inspection done. My regular garage can't find it either.
Seems to have healed itself and works OK. That tells me I may have something in the computer gone wacky.