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And now I come to you for car advice
OneAngryPossum
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I've got a pretty yes/no question from a friend of mine regarding the drivability of their car. I've dug as much information as I can up, but still don't feel like I really know enough to give an answer, so...
You guys.
The car is a 1996 Dodge caravan with upwards of 100k miles on it, and has driven relatively fine until recently when it hit a huge amount of problems. Most fixed, but the newest is an extremely rough idle while in drive, negligible while in neutral, and it doesn't increase during acceleration or otherwise. He know he has a problem with his third cylinder, but since this problem doesn't change based on his RPM, it seems unlikely that it's related. He's not planning on driving it often before he gets it looked at, but he did have a trip he had intended to make that would come before he had an opportunity to get it looked at.
Opinions? In the best case scenario he'd cancel the trip, but he needs to get there somehow, and it'd be best if he was in his own vehicle. I'm not incredibly car wise, but based off what I've read it seems likely to be either a timing belt or his throttle control. I don't know what to recommend if either of those is true though. It'd be a three hour trip total, so it wouldn't be overly strenuous, but he doesn't want to risk being stranded, and arranging other transport would be pretty difficult right now.
Help?
You guys.
The car is a 1996 Dodge caravan with upwards of 100k miles on it, and has driven relatively fine until recently when it hit a huge amount of problems. Most fixed, but the newest is an extremely rough idle while in drive, negligible while in neutral, and it doesn't increase during acceleration or otherwise. He know he has a problem with his third cylinder, but since this problem doesn't change based on his RPM, it seems unlikely that it's related. He's not planning on driving it often before he gets it looked at, but he did have a trip he had intended to make that would come before he had an opportunity to get it looked at.
Opinions? In the best case scenario he'd cancel the trip, but he needs to get there somehow, and it'd be best if he was in his own vehicle. I'm not incredibly car wise, but based off what I've read it seems likely to be either a timing belt or his throttle control. I don't know what to recommend if either of those is true though. It'd be a three hour trip total, so it wouldn't be overly strenuous, but he doesn't want to risk being stranded, and arranging other transport would be pretty difficult right now.
Help?
OneAngryPossum on
0
Posts
Maybe Idle Control Valve.
Is he throwing a Check Engine Light? Cars 96+ have OBD-II - have him go to Autozone and get the codes pulled for free.
I wouldn't be immediately concerned about rough idling, as long as it smooths out as you increase the revs. The IAC, gunk in the throttle body or any number of other small things could cause it to idle roughly. If it's actually misfiring it'll throw a check engine light.
What's this third cyclinder problem? You kinda can't just slide something like that out an then not explain.
Most likely it's just the plug. It's got 100k, right? About time your friend did the plugs, wires and belts anyway. Also he should inspect the hoses for any leaks/cracks/bulges and replace as necessary. Also inspect the timing belt/chain (probably belt) and most likely replace.
Also, it'd be great if we knew just what engine this van has.
2.4L I4
3.0L V6
3.3L V6
3.8L V6