spark plug change on a caravan

this is my first caravan that ive ever owned, i want to change the spark plugs in it, how do you get to the back ones?. can you get themfrom underneath? :p

I just did mine not too long ago and found it easiest if you remove your wipers and the wiper catch tray. Took me about 30 mins to figure out how to get it all out but made the job much easier. Just my amatuer 2 cents.

Rex

I just did mine too.
I just reached around from the front and changed one at a time. It went pretty fast and easier than I thought it would go if you are good at working by feel.

What year and size engine?The 2000 3.3s are easy to get to the back ones without removing the wipers.Stay away from Bosch plugs,Chrysler products run like crap with them and stick with Champions.It would not hurt to put antiseeze compound on the threads of the new plugs.Evertime I see Bosch plugs in a Chrysler product,they go in the garbage can and get replaced with Champions.

wafrederick,

Assuming the OP has a 2000 3.3 so I don't hijack their post... Can you elaborate on how to change the back plugs easily on a 2000 please? I paid the dealer on the first go 'round but I'm coming up on the 2nd & would like to avoid the dealer charge. My older one was easy from underneath but the 2000 doesn't seem quite so.

When I did the plugs on our '94 3.3L Caravan, I had my son help me with the rear ones. I think he worked the spark plug wrench from below the engine, while I guided it onto the plug from above. Or maybe it was the other way around. It was a little slow, but we got it done in an hour or so.

I always go from below with the van on jack stands, engine cold. It's hardest on the front and middle which are done mostly by feel. I use a swivel, an extension, and also a wobble extension, depending on position. You must blow the plug recess out before starting or you will probably get dirt into the cylinder. It's a PITA job, no two ways about it. Takes about 2 hours if I remember correctly.

Use double platinum plugs because you don't want to do it again anytime soon. Lots of peeps like Champion, I used NGK the last time. So far I like NGK pretty well.

As has been suggested, going from the top, I find is added work, unless your changing the PCV valve and hose or doing a valve cover gasket replacement.
Some suggest having someone else do the job. I bought mine as a used program van and it was always dealer maintained, I saw the records. When I did the job, I found the front plugs had been recently changed and two different brands on the rear. The front and center were factory originals and the rear that's easy to change was a third brand. I don't think the $tealer had ever replaced the 2 rears. No guarantees that hiring it out will get the rears changed, IMHO.

Edit to add: Don't forget to use anti-seize as wafrederick suggested. Also the '96-'00 3.3/8's are the worst for getting to the rear plugs.

I find that on the Chryslers with the transverse mounted 3.3 or 3.8 (ie, minivans, older Dynasty, New Yorker) and I mean the ones with the old style aluminum intake manifold, the one that hangs over the back cylinder bank, the easiest thing to do is simply to remove the upper intake plenum. A handful of sensors to unplug, a few vacuum lines, one bolt on the side in the back, a couple bolts by the alternator, and about 5 bolts to the intake manifold, and it's off and out of your way. Just sort of fold it over instead of completely removing it, so you dont have to disconnect the throttle cables. Change your back plugs and wires, and run the wires back to the coil. Buy a Felpro upper intake plenum gasket set (about $5) and a can of gasket spray adhesive and put the gasket on. Install the plenum and there you go! :)

So not only did you do a tuneup, easier and quicker, but you also changed the intake plenum gasket, which can leak with age and affect performance.

I always go from below with the van on jack stands, engine cold. It's hardest on the front and middle which are done mostly by feel. I use a swivel, an extension, and also a wobble extension, depending on position. You must blow the plug recess out before starting or you will probably get dirt into the cylinder. It's a PITA job, no two ways about it. Takes about 2 hours if I remember correctly.


I think it only took me about an hour but, then again, I had a extra set of hands to help out.

Not to change the topic too much, but the worst car I've ever changed plugs on was our '02 Subaru Outback wagon with the H6 engine. Took me the better part of an afternoon. Needed every extension, swivel, spark plug socket, and adapter I had in my collection (think it was like 14 different items). And that was after removing the air intake tube, air filter box, battery, and windshield washer reservoir.

I did it from under the engine. You cannot see anything, so you have to use your sixth sense. There was also no room to clean the area so I don't know how much dirt has got into the engine. But I really had to replace the plugs... :)

I'm telling ya, take off the intake plenum, it will make your life so much easier. Doing it this way, I got the tune up done in 20 minutes flat.

Wow! Next time i will do that way. I was hesitant to take out the plenum because there were wires and hoses attached to it.
Thanks for the info.

I did one last night, 00 3.3, Yes removing the plenum is the way to go, Do the valve cover gaskets while you're there and replace the pvc tube, Also a perfect time to clean the throttle body.

Forgot to mention this thing had 170k on it and had never been toutched, The plug tips were receeded into the ceramic, happy happy customer!

I find that on the Chryslers with the transverse mounted 3.3 or 3.8 (ie, minivans, older Dynasty, New Yorker) and I mean the ones with the old style aluminum intake manifold, the one that hangs over the back cylinder bank, the easiest thing to do is simply to remove the upper intake plenum. A handful of sensors to unplug, a few vacuum lines, one bolt on the side in the back, a couple bolts by the alternator, and about 5 bolts to the intake manifold, and it's off and out of your way. Just sort of fold it over instead of completely removing it, so you dont have to disconnect the throttle cables. Change your back plugs and wires, and run the wires back to the coil. Buy a Felpro upper intake plenum gasket set (about $5) and a can of gasket spray adhesive and put the gasket on. Install the plenum and there you go! :)

So not only did you do a tuneup, easier and quicker, but you also changed the intake plenum gasket, which can leak with age and affect performance.

could not agree more. I removed the wiper tub assembly, then did what you said here. There were quite a few things to detach from it, but once away, it was very easy to get to the back plugs. I had a hard time seeing them as well, but I'm too old to be crawling around under the van for an hour or two like that.

could not agree more. I removed the wiper tub assembly, then did what you said here. There were quite a few things to detach from it, but once away, it was very easy to get to the back plugs. I had a hard time seeing them as well, but I'm too old to be crawling around under the van for an hour or two like that.

Glad I could help ^_^

I took the plenum and the wiper tub off. If I have to get in there again I'll try just the wiper tub first and see if I can reach them. I loosened up the plenum first and found that I can't remove if without first getting the wiper tub out of the way. I was surprised how easy it was to get the wiper tub assembly out. While you're in there I would suggest changing the O2 sensor if it's pretty old. Also, when I was there I found that the EGR tube gasket was bad so I changed it, even though nobody stocked it and I had to wait until next day for it. Good thing I had another vehicle to use.

I'm telling ya, take off the intake plenum, it will make your life so much easier. Doing it this way, I got the tune up done in 20 minutes flat.

I don't know you got it done in 20 minutes flat, you must have done these many times before. It took me 20 minutes just to clean the old pleanum gasket.

Hello Guys,

I have Dodge Grand Caravan 05 3.3l. I have changed spark plugs on my Van twice without any problems but with nice special tool. Please pay your attention - You don`t have to remove anything ...like wipers and so on .... You only need one special "spark plug tool" from Masterkraft in order to change spark plugs on Caravan 3.3l or 3.8l.
So here it is (Mastercraft 4-piece 3/8-in.-Drive Tune-up Kit Product #58-8923-0):

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/6/Tools/Sockets/SocketSets/PRD~0588923P/Mastercraft%2B4-piece%2B3%252B8-in.-Drive%2BTune-up%2BKit.jsp

The price is $34.99, also you can get it on sale for $9.99.
You can buy it, use it and then return it if you don't wanna keep it.
But even if you'll gonna spend this money and keep it, you will never regret.

The whole procedure with this tools takes 30-40 min., for non-experienced user no longer than 1 hour. You could not imagine how easy to access the back cylinders row with it. Also I found it very helpful when I`ve been changing my brake pads. It gonna save your time significantly.

Awesome tool. You can find it at CanadianTire in Canada. I believe you can find the similar one in US as well.

Enclosed is a small image of Mastercraft 4-piece 3/8-in.-Drive Tune-up tool what is very helpful during spark plugs change as I've described above, especially for V6 engine in order to reach back row spark plugs.
Just wanna let you know guys, how does it looks like for easy shopping.

http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/CanadianTire/0588923_1?$thumbnail$&defaultImage=image_na_EN

Looks like an adjustable handle ratchet that you can purchase from Sears or Snap On.

Just changed the plugs on a 2000 T&C with the 3.8l, man what a PITA, took alot of stuff off, wiper assembly, upper intake plenum. Incidentally, once down to the point I could get at 'em they were the easiest plugs I have changed!!!!

Note, replace the PCV valve and the 14" of hose going to the valve cover while you are in there.

i did mine on 03 3.3 i just reached over to do the rear ones took maybe 20 min total, alot easier then trying from underneath