Welcome to the forum! That is really low mileage for a 13-year-old van! I'd keep an eye on the coolant Y's that tend to drip or just burst open.
New to community - First mini van
Hello to All,
I am taking possession of a 2010 DGC as another family member can no longer drive. Although I never considered myself a 'mini van person', I am a 'car person' (much to the dismay of my wife). I belong to fan forum pages for the daily drivers in our ownership and rely on the their members for advice, repair procedures and wisdom.
The van has a mere 9,900 miles and has lived in an unheated, detached garage here in the Midwest. It will be the all purpose member of the fleet for trips to the home center, greenhouse, super market, etc... and act as the all around gofer.
One known issue is a minor oil leak. After some online research, I scheduled the van for recall service that has gone unattended by the current owner. Prior to the dealership visit, I will have my local shop address the oil leak. I would like to have the mechanic inspect the vehicle for an overall assessment.
Problems mentioned online include premature brake wear and EGR trouble.
Taking into consideration the age and low mileage, are there any issues, known trouble spots or peccadilloes specific to this vehicle that should be highlighted for inspection by my mechanic?
Thank you in advance for your interest and insight.
Michigan Phil
I am taking possession of a 2010 DGC as another family member can no longer drive. Although I never considered myself a 'mini van person', I am a 'car person' (much to the dismay of my wife). I belong to fan forum pages for the daily drivers in our ownership and rely on the their members for advice, repair procedures and wisdom.
The van has a mere 9,900 miles and has lived in an unheated, detached garage here in the Midwest. It will be the all purpose member of the fleet for trips to the home center, greenhouse, super market, etc... and act as the all around gofer.
One known issue is a minor oil leak. After some online research, I scheduled the van for recall service that has gone unattended by the current owner. Prior to the dealership visit, I will have my local shop address the oil leak. I would like to have the mechanic inspect the vehicle for an overall assessment.
Problems mentioned online include premature brake wear and EGR trouble.
Taking into consideration the age and low mileage, are there any issues, known trouble spots or peccadilloes specific to this vehicle that should be highlighted for inspection by my mechanic?
Thank you in advance for your interest and insight.
Michigan Phil
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
Thanks Westphal,
Will add to list. Picked up van this afternoon. Found check engine light on. Will identify cause as well.
Correction: Mileage is 10,069
Phil
Will add to list. Picked up van this afternoon. Found check engine light on. Will identify cause as well.
Correction: Mileage is 10,069
Phil
Welcome aboard & best of luck with your new (older) van. I am a car person myself, but after a very short time I found I love my 2000 Grand Caravan Sport! Best of luck with yours!
Thanks Multi -
Tomorrow all old recalls will be corrected. After that the van will be treated to a never-done and well-deserved detailing. Then, put into active service. The 'Stow 'n Go' feature is already earning the Doge points!
Tomorrow all old recalls will be corrected. After that the van will be treated to a never-done and well-deserved detailing. Then, put into active service. The 'Stow 'n Go' feature is already earning the Doge points!
I hope it all works out for you. Interesting enough, I just happened on a video a day ago, maybe on You-Tube, about what is involved with lowering your spare tire. I believe it is under the floor between the front seats. Very informative but I don't have that as mine is older, however, the point was made to lower it every year or every other year as the linkage should be periodically lubed. They also made a point of being familiar with it as you don't want to have to do it for the very first time in the dark and maybe in the rain, lol! 😁
In the run-up to taking possession of the van, I was curious about many aspects of Caravan ownership, the spare tire included. Several YouTube videos had me thinking a full-sized spare from the boneyard and small hydraulic jack in the cargo well would be faster and easier to change than the prescribed procedure.
After thirteen years hibernating in a damp midwestern garage has had a detrimental effect on the undercarriage. One tech thought it came from the Florida coast.
After thirteen years hibernating in a damp midwestern garage has had a detrimental effect on the undercarriage. One tech thought it came from the Florida coast.
I feel your pain. I inherited my 23 year old 2000 DGC that never was stored in doors and in the rust belt northeast. Dry rotted tires & such and disconnected & rotted rear heater lines. Has less than 100.000 miles on it though. I am having problems finding parts. My spare tire hoisting cable had to be cut to lower it. Also, mine has the full size spare option & they stopped making the hoist, way long ago. I called a dozen bone yards without success as well. I can get a replacement hoist for the mini spare but can't even get a mini spare either. Again, I called multiple junk yards and many other sources, no soap. I even tried buying the complete mini spare at tire dealers and even Amazon without success. Still looking. I hope your situation works out for you.
I thought that too but the van I have now has so much utility I don't think I could go without it. It has completed several moves for me already and many runs to get plants, even pretty tall bushes.Although I never considered myself a 'mini van person', I am a 'car person' (much to the dismay of my wife).
I got some better weather proof mats to preserve the interior and so far it's been great. I'm also in Michigan, and since these vans rust so bad here I recommend following some kind of rust prevention procedure, whether that's going to Ziebart and getting an undercoating or following the advise of people on the forum here and administering Fluid Film in key areas. I do both.
Welcome to the forum!
Glad to be here, Tellegubby,
Update: After waiting a week for my appointment with the dealership for the recalls, I was told to bring the van back, "... In a couple weeks." They needed to order the part for the air bag problem. Yesterday, I checked to see if the spare tire was inflated to operating pressure and to confirm the lowering procedure functioned properly. The spare has never been used and held only twelve pounds. It was brought back to sixty PSI. I'll check it regularly to be sure it holds.
Interesting regarding the rust down below... While monkeying around with the spare, I was surprised at the degree of corrosion some suspension parts.
Are there any components in particular that are prone to failure due to corrosion that could cause safety issues with this vehicle?
Thanks,
Phil
Update: After waiting a week for my appointment with the dealership for the recalls, I was told to bring the van back, "... In a couple weeks." They needed to order the part for the air bag problem. Yesterday, I checked to see if the spare tire was inflated to operating pressure and to confirm the lowering procedure functioned properly. The spare has never been used and held only twelve pounds. It was brought back to sixty PSI. I'll check it regularly to be sure it holds.
Interesting regarding the rust down below... While monkeying around with the spare, I was surprised at the degree of corrosion some suspension parts.
Are there any components in particular that are prone to failure due to corrosion that could cause safety issues with this vehicle?
Thanks,
Phil
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
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