loss of power in 98 caravan

[timsvan]

I recently bought a 98 grand caravan se, 3.0 engine. The problem is it has little power. It won't pull the hills, very sluggish on acceleration. Timing seems to be retarded. when I've openned the hood after driving for a while the exhaust manifolds are red hot. I've replaced plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, checked egr valve, catalytic converter. I'm going to replace the fuel filter.
Any thoughts or ideas on what to try next?

[Bratfalken]

Try changing the airfilter, if that is clogged your Lambdasensor will lean the mixture until there's no power left, try driving around the block without filter and you will notice if this is the problem!

[Mrbizness1]

Did you check the catalytic converter or replace it?
I had a bad converter that had loose baffles that would clog intermittently and would turn the exhaust pipes red hot.

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by timsvan

I recently bought a 98 grand caravan se, 3.0 engine. The problem is it has little power. It won't pull the hills, very sluggish on acceleration. Timing seems to be retarded. when I've openned the hood after driving for a while the exhaust manifolds are red hot. I've replaced plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, checked egr valve, catalytic converter. I'm going to replace the fuel filter.
Any thoughts or ideas on what to try next?

I think you answered your own question , sounds like the timing belt has slipped a tooth and the timing is way off . This would cause the exact symptoms you describe. Belt should be changed every 80-100K . Have the timing checked . And if the belt hasn't been replaced it will need to be replaced . Also don't expect huge acceleration out of this van , a 3.0 liter only produces 150 HP which isn't much for an extended minivan. PS if it ends up being the belt it usually reccomended the waterpump be done at the same time because it is in the same general area. as the belt.

[harryliuusa]

vipergg

I heard that there is no timing belt on my 1999 3.8?
Is it that different from his van with 3.0?

[neon_rt]

The 3.0 is a Mitsubishi engine and is not related to the 3.3/3.8 Chrysler engines. The 3.0 has a belt, and the 3.3/3.8 has a chain.

[harryliuusa]

Is chain also a necessary part of replacement after 100K?
I heard that a broken timing belt is dangerous and disaster to engine. Is timing chain similar? What should I change at this (105K) mileage in order to keep safe for driver and preventing from major repair?

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by harryliuusa

Is chain also a necessary part of replacement after 100K?
I heard that a broken timing belt is dangerous and disaster to engine. Is timing chain similar? What should I change at this (105K) mileage in order to keep safe for driver and preventing from major repair?

I don't think any of Chryslers V6's are interference engines so the worse that would happen would be to get stranded if it broke. There is no replacement interval for a chain on the 3.3 or 3.8 , probably will go at least 200K before having to worry about that . On the 3.0 , rubber timing belt I wouldn't go much over 100K miles
without replaceing though I'm sure you'll here stories where people went much longer , think the manual says something like 80-90K to at leastr have it checked.

[mnwalleye]

Originally Posted by timsvan

I recently bought a 98 grand caravan se, 3.0 engine. The problem is it has little power. It won't pull the hills, very sluggish on acceleration. Timing seems to be retarded. when I've openned the hood after driving for a while the exhaust manifolds are red hot. I've replaced plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, checked egr valve, catalytic converter. I'm going to replace the fuel filter.
Any thoughts or ideas on what to try next?

According to local auto guy on the radio, exhaust manifolds getting red hot are a classic example of a catalytic converter failure or blockage. You say you replaced it and it still does it? Was that a new converter?

MNWalleye