Engine Tick 3.8

Hi all,

I wanted to make this post since it may help someone else out here. We have a 2001 Gr Caravan (AWD) with a 3.8. It has around 123,000 miles and has been a good relaible vehicle (the AWD is amazing).

Anyhow for the probably the last 15,000 miles or so it has had an intermittent engine tick that has been getting worse. It would normally start after it was good and warmed up and was a lot louder when the engine was under load (going up hill) and drop off dramatically when not under load (going down hill). I was really thinking I an internal engine issue, lifter collapsing or something along those lines. But when I changed the oil no change in the noise. My experience with lifters is that fresh oil will it least quiet it sightly.

Well to make a long story short, the problem was simply the exhaust manifold bolts were loose. I tightened them up last Wednesday (new clock spring and sway arm bushing the same day) 2 on the one port in the back were really loose, one turned at least 3 turns. There were 3 loose and one I never got a wrench on yet. But it totally solved the problem :-)

I have been working on my own vehicles my whole life and nothing would have told me that it was an exhaust manifold since they are usually worse when cold. I think what was happening is they were so loose that the exhaust manifold was warping away from the heads when hot. The only thing that saved me from taking it to a dealer to be checked was my theory to try and fix the easy stuff first LOL. Well sort of easy those back ones are a PIA LOL, let's say it was a cheap fix, and just took some patience.

Well just thought this might be helpful to someone else out here and thought I would post it. I had looked around before on the net and only found one other related post.

Now if I can just get rid of those evap leak codes and get the check engine light off for good :-)

there are a couple short small hiden hoses that are common for the leak right under the air filter assm, got to take the air filter assem off to see them. they are right by the motor mount. maybe this will help with that light.

Thanks, I check it out today, no luck :-( looked good under there. I am going to start a new thread. Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate it :-)

on this small leak on the emissions, i took mine to a shop and they found a line coming from the bottom of the intake manifold. it is hidden and in the back, very hard to find. they said it was popping off cause of alittle oil coming from the manifold. i will ask them tomorrow and post back.

Thanks, any help will certainly be appreciated :-)