Diesel Caravan?

[DLausche]

I just ordered/recieved the DC service manual for my wifes new (to us) 02 Caravan. I was surprised to see all the info on a 2. 5L turbocharged diesel engine option. Didn't know they ever made such a thing. I assume it was never offered for sale in the US. For some odd reason I am curious about them. Anybody ever have experience with them? Good MPG & performance or not? Could one be imported into the US?



-Deon

 

[RBratby]

a friend of the family test drives cars for chrysler. my dads friend was driving one about 2 weeks ago to help my dad move. the steering wheel was on the wrong side though. i will talk to him for you see what i can find out.

 

[SMolteberg]

European built,made in Austria and assembled at the same factory that makes the Mercedes G-wagon (old Steyer-Puck factory) Powered by a Italian VM diesel (DC owned) coupled to a five speed manual (my guess a ZF transmission, but not certain) There are loads of them here in Norway, they are very populare. They are badged Chrysler Voyager, but are basically a Dodge Caravan. There have been some issues about the camdrives on them, a workbuddy of mine had a breakdown at about 80k miles and a second time only 5k after the first rebuild. A obviouse bad job and they covered the second time. He broke the head, camshaft, camdrive and some other stuff. A expensive story. There are several thing different with the European built cars. Most obviouse are the lights, here we use E-standards lights (different than DOT lights) The headlights ar assymetrical (lights up the right part of the road further) white parkinglights forward and orange turnsignals in the rear. I've been told by a friend at a partshop that the European caravans have a different mount on the headlights than the American built. Maybe some other Europeans have more to add?

 

[DLausche]

Very interesting info SMolteberg. I looked one up on the internet and yep, they do look pretty much identical to the Caravans we have over here. Did not think about the right hand drive. I also incorrectly assumed it was some sort of Mitsubishi diesel powerplant. Other interesting thing is they appear to have an extra diesel fired heater option that is mounted to the underside of the body. Haven't heard of anything like that as stock equipment since my early 70's Beetle.



Again thanks for the info.

-Deon

 

[master1578]

The way they smoke, I thought they were all diesels... . :-laf

 

[Dieselnut59]

The way they smoke, I thought they were all diesels... . :-laf

Ain't that the truth?! Heck, my '03 smokes less, with the Bullydog tuner than a Caravan gasser! If Dodge wants to "clean up" the emissions on the Caravan, they should consider a diesel!!

 

[supeerman4422]

does anyone have one with STACKS over there!? :-laf i think a minivan would look coool with stacks lol! :-laf



-Tom