Scantlings

Our loyal 2003 Dodge Caravan has been diagnosed with Gasketus Leakemia (blown head gasket). The quote was $3000 to have the head decked. There is a long list of other issues not the least of which are the war wounds and rust from being 'the kid's car'. I suppose for about $5000 we could put another 5 or more years into it.

I signed up to have it donated. They're coming tomorrow to tow it away. Can anyone think of any other possibilities? Should I try to sell it?

We're a sentimental bunch. We've taken the Family Truckster to all 4 coasts. Some of them twice. And we're a bit heartbroken to get rid of it but c'mon. It's just a care, right?

Soñadora wrote:Our loyal 2003 Dodge Caravan has been diagnosed with Gasketus Leakemia (blown head gasket). The quote was $3000 to have the head decked. There is a long list of other issues not the least of which are the war wounds and rust from being 'the kid's car'. I suppose for about $5000 we could put another 5 or more years into it.

I signed up to have it donated. They're coming tomorrow to tow it away. Can anyone think of any other possibilities? Should I try to sell it?

We're a sentimental bunch. We've taken the Family Truckster to all 4 coasts. Some of them twice. And we're a bit heartbroken to get rid of it but c'mon. It's just a care, right?

I have a friend with a Dodge Caravan. He gave up at three new transmissions and two new motors. I'm amazed you got what you did out of it. Caravans are notorious.

Sounds like our 84 Wasserboxer.

It sat in our garage for close to a year before I could bring myself to sell it.

Have you ever replaced a head gasket? It's pretty easy.

200,000 miles without any issues other than the tree that fell on it and the deer that tried to commit suicide.

I worked with a guy who had 400,000 miles on his. Not sure what they're 'notorious' for. Perhaps because they were ubiquitous it's easy to find a lemon. I'll take it over the junky Honda Civic I had that blew a head gasket after 30,000 miles.

Probably best to just donate it as planned.

Olaf Hart wrote:Sounds like our 84 Wasserboxer.

It sat in our garage for close to a year before I could bring myself to sell it.

Have you ever replaced a head gasket? It's pretty easy.

yes, I've done that before. If I had the time and space for it, I'd consider it. With a transverse V6, the engine has to be dropped. And you have to deck the heads on both banks. Your wasserboxer is a lot easier to drop the motor and put in new barrels. After I circumnavigate, I'd love to have my own shop to work on old VWs