97 caravan changed catalytic convert...now

[Myna2k]

First, hello to everyone out there on the cyber solution trip...I too had to search for answers as well as saving a couple bucks by doing it yourself.

Back to my issue, changed catalytic converter to pass smog...which it did but now it cracked at both top and bottom welds causing anti-freeze to leak out..didn't have time to take it back to the shop to get it fixed but now I regret getting it back. Looks like my oil is starting to look milky which could indicate bad head gasket or something had to do with those welds breaking causing anti-freeze to leak. Do I get welds fixed change out oil and I hope that fixed it. Any suggestions???...Now go easy on me, I know that was so moronish but I'm like everyone else on this forum searching for answers!

Thanks!

[Bernard Feltzer]

What welds are you talking about?
Anyways the best solution is to junk the van and buy a brand new one.
Once you get water inside the engine, you can spend thousands of dollars supporting some drunk mechanic, and it will never be like new.

[RIP]

New van - $30 grand

New engine - $2 grand. Hummmmmmm

Course if the wife is on your case $30 grand is cheap medicine.

Bernard is right. Please clarify those first couple sentences. As for the milky oil - not good. As you said, the head gasket is probably blown. A compression check would verify. If you've been driving like that for a while it would be iffy if it's worth replacing the gasket and resurfacing the heads. Go check with an engine shop.

[Bernard Feltzer]

A brand new Chrysler T&C Grand can be bought for $21,000.
A rebuilt engine installed is almost $5000 on that 10 year old boat.
Not eveyone still lives in the depression, nor do they want a rusted hull splitting apart while doing 80 on the highway.

[RIP]

Yes, you can get a T&C for 21K if all you want is a steering wheel and a seat. Add the options everyone gets tax/license/and all that interest on that 5-6 year loan that all us pow folk have to get and you easily hit $30K.

Neighbor had a rebuilt engine installed in his 00 GV last year for $2400 with a 12 month warranty. OBTW. I wouldn't buy a new one. They're uglyer than sin compared to the 96-99s.

As for the rusted hulks. Yes, that is a problem for you folks back east. Come out to sunny SoCal. Rust is vertually non existant. One reason I tend to hang on to my autos a little longer. Cheers.

[89ltd]

what, my 04 is ugly????

[RIP]

Don't worry. There's plenty of 96-99s out there you can trade for.