Episode 77 2005 Dodge grand caravan 3.8 valve cover gaskets WITHOUT removing intake

how to replace your valve cover gaskets on your 3.3L or 3.8L Dodge V6 without taking the entire top of your engine apart! don't waste hours when you can just use smaller tools and a little wiggling

[@tracegillespie5916]

You didn't show how to replace the valve cover gasket on the backside

[@robertbell525]

I need to do this job also. A third grader can replace the front one. It's the back one we need to see.

[@sidvis7235]

It takes all of 10-15 minutes to remove the windsheild wiper cowel. giving easy, unrestricted access to the valve cover and spark plugs. Do both covers the same day. Still saves you time and a boatload of agrivation. While you're at it, change your plugs, a well.

[@Razorusskie]

Watched this. Decided to take the cowl off and it was still a challenge getting to some of those bolts. There are videos on how to take it off. I would do it. Can’t imagine this job with it on.

[@billbobs]

Very helpful, thank you! I will say that removing the wiper cowl assembly is easy, and may actually save time overall depending on someone's skills

[@depdad]

You explained it very clearly. I so much appreciate how you showed us that we could replace the gaskets without removing the intake manifold.

[@jbeargrr]

Watching how you did this, it's gonna be a lot easier than I thought. I wasn't concerned about the front one, but the one in back...I might go ahead and take the cowl off, I don't know yet. Thanks loads, I really appreciate this video.

[@georgem4309]

The back one is NOT easy even with the cowl off.

[@MyMiniTravels]

Thank you! Finally a straight forward video on the topic. You made my day!

[@roadmaven]

Thanks Chris! Used your video today on my ‘05 Town & Country front valve cover gasket. Like you, saving the rear for another day. 😀

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

i did them both, but you cant fit my fat ass and the camera in the same shot in that crowded compartment.

[@joemonroe9456]

Easier to just take out the windshield wiper tray/cowl. Use a puller to remove the windshield wiper arms. Don't crack the windshield by trying to pry them off. And change the spark plugs while you are at it.

[@bikemannc]

Exactly, and him NOT doing his rear should put a butt load if doubt and wonder why not just pop off the cowl, takes me 10 mins and in my rear plug set your fighting for leverage and angles even with cowl removed in removing that middle spark plug

[@bluntforcetrauma2141]

Why don't you prove that you can take the back valve cover off "*withgout removing intake and crap"? I don't think you can.

[@raiklastary263]

Pretty complete description. Thanks new job for the weekend, yeahee

[@jh8338]

Remove the wiper cowling/assembly, it takes about 5 minutes, then you can just lean over and get to everything.

[@ronsteskool]

Great Job Chris and Good common sense on rear cover !

[@garystratton454]

I just used a 1/4 inch drive w 8mm socket...no swivel. Got them all.

[@garystratton454]

Used 8mm wrench for end bolts

[@stusasser5947]

Thanks Chris for your extremely helpful video I thought you were going to have to use a torque wrench and set the torque but I guess they have perfected it to where you don't have to do that anymore.

[@teknowil]

sure go ahead. then you get it back together and find out the oil is from the intake gasket NOT THE VALVE COVERS(my issue)

[@MusicMinisterJP7]

Wow, that must be a bummer. But that must have been that you over heated the engine at some point.. heads warp and trouble starts.. What were your symptoms, other than oil loss?

[@jaywalker3553]

I got all of this stuff in my trunk man I been putting it off forever it's time to get it fixed lol

[@ronsteskool]

front is easy and was my leak .

[@jaywalker3553]

@@ronsteskool yea mine too worked like a charm 👍🏾

[@mikenomath3897]

DUH! Anyone can see and figure out how to remove the front valve cover... it's the rear one under the cowl I wanted to see you R&R...

[@MusicMinisterJP7]

Do the rear one and shut every one up. Remember to remove the wiper assembly, It WILL HELP YOU!

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

hahaha, i already did it , didnt remove wiper, just fought the bolts blindly, cant record because cant see, just go by feel, came right off, had to wiggle it a bit to get out but it worked fine.

[@MusicMinisterJP7]

@@ChrisEdwardsRestoration Awww, see, everyone wanted to see that one..lol. I'm actually dreading that job, only bcuz of the rear cover. But I am going to do it. I'm loosing alot of oil.

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

@@MusicMinisterJP7 sorry, i did do it that way, you are just blind and feeling for the bolts, at least there in the same places as the front,. and they dont pop out to lose.

[@MusicMinisterJP7]

@@ChrisEdwardsRestoration Question: are all those, 8mm screws? Or are any different..? Also, I went to Autozone to inquire about the Felpro gaskets, but they had them in Red! I was unsure, bcuz I've only seen them on these KZbin videos in Blue, so didn't but them. Wonder if it's a quality or Autozone difference.. What do you think?

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

@@MusicMinisterJP7 yes all 8mm, but on the drivers side you have to slide off the cover post that has the wire holder like the front side has. same location same everything. its just a blind feel but it works. ps: your back will hurt after doing this at least mine did

[@stevekeller8876]

this was awesome thank you for recording that!

[@jamaicantreasures1740]

This is a great help Chris, and one handed for much of it! I am not 100% sure where my leak(s) are but like yours my front valve cover does look oily and smells of burnt oil all the time. I'll try this today. Terrific video and thank you for the tutorial.

[@jasont1917]

Pshhh yea take the back one out now.

[@josec4177]

Yup

[@GerryJ08]

removing the wiper cowl is a must if you want to get to the bolts on the back cover.

[@joemonroe9456]

Use a puller to remove the windshield wiper arms. Don't crack the windshield by trying to pry them off.

[@edhlow2165]

How bout doing the rear? The front is easy. Smh

[@seanpreble7515]

Thanks for making this video.

[@joshuahickman7130]

For those 2 bolts under the manifold I used a 8mm an long screw driver to get it out. Just wat I did.

[@CrazyGSPMan]

Thanks for this. My front is leaking onto the exhaust and I was afraid to pull the intake off

[@TaijiArban]

If you are replacing your valve cover gaskets, and don't remember the last time the spark plugs and wires were replaced, replace those as well. $20-30 more to avoid having to come back here

[@rocketcharger17]

Lol you have to take the wiper tray out to do the back

[@alfonsohernandez7308]

Very good video. Thank you very much.

[@f6wetprocesstechmicron51]

Great video, thanks a lot. I would hate to do unnecessary work 😁

[@TCS_Aquatics]

People take all that stuff off to get to the back one. You can either take the upper intake and air filter off or take the wiper cowl off to get to it. Taking the upper intake and all off isn’t really a big deal to be honest.

[@BellefontePerson]

I have a bad back and carpal tunnel, so even though it's more work, taking the cowl off would be the best way for me to do the back ones.

[@kendall458]

Where would the air intake be on 2005 dodge caravan I have code P0113

[@bahamasking2063]

Nice video cause I have to do this same repair this weekend

[@mugwah100]

Perfect 😏

[@TheWylderangel]

Thats all good..but do the back one without removing that crap....

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

i did

[@jasonkelley3540]

Where's that video?

[@bikemannc]

I tried this this way but in my specific van, [ 2005 T & C,3.8 L, Limited and mfrd in Canada] those bolts you show are accessible are not on my engine.

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

Power steering line prob covers rear valve cover, its low pressure and can be removed and hung as to not leak out all the reservoir fluid

[@bikemannc]

@@ChrisEdwardsRestoration well for my van ( limited, Canada mfr on label might be why) it was the top intake cover blocking access to my bolts

[@theamazingsahhul1597]

So the new gasket seal should be viewable as in you should be able to see it I’m worried it didn’t seat right don’t know if the cover should cover to whole gasket

[@goldeneagle5823]

What about the back cover gasket you only show the front? 🤔 Isn't it a 6 cylinder?

[@coreyjones878]

The backside is hell that's y he didn't show that side😂

[@mikemoen1101]

Front one is easy ?

[@TheAlexxxherrera]

I have two, 2005 grand caravans w the 3.8L engines. One doesnt have an EGR valve, both ports (where it fits and where the pipe leads to) are plugged with plastic pieces. It looks natural & doesnt seem out of place. It was that way when i bought years ago, and has passed smog in Calif. Can i block off the other 2005 caravan too? Thanks Chris.

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

dont know, some have a power steering fluid line bolted to the back valve cover, there are differences between the engines, so just be careful. those plastic pieces may be the power steering lines that bolt on top the coil pack area fluid reservoir

[@leannmeixner8073]

Also, you didnt clean the head surface before re-installing the cover !

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

have you ever heard of editing? i do alot of things off camera because i can not fit the camera in the area im either working on or the time it takes exceeds a useful video. i explain how to do it, and i did mine, it works fine. give it a try and stop bashing everything.

[@kennyjohnson4138]

How tight does the bolts need to be without damaging the new gaskets.

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

Two uga uga’s

[@fhiggenbottom]

105 inch pounds (which equates to 8.75-foot pounds) of torque is the factory specification for tightening the valve cover bolts using a Criss Cross pattern and that is also for torque specification for tightening the oil pan bolts if you ever need to replace the oil pan gasket.

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

Two uga ugas sounds better

[@fhiggenbottom]

@@ChrisEdwardsRestoration Can't find that on a torque wrench.

[@scizophrenic2602]

how long does this job take and how much does it cost for mechanic to do this repair ?

[@dj1111s]

I have an estimate from a local mechanic from 2018. It was $272. I can only imagine the cost of labor is much higher now. I just did my gaskets front and rear. Cost for the gaskets was about $17. It took about 4 hours to complete both. The rear one wasn't so bad. Actually for all the anxiety I had it all went fine. Just take your time. The old gaskets were hard as a rock and came out in pieces. Was leaking bad.

[@scizophrenic2602]

over $500 was what i was told. summer of 2023. @@dj1111s

[@garycampbell5297]

Takes 20 min at most to remove the plenum on that engine

[@josegueva5119]

Never show how it took out the back valve cover, the one with the pcv valve

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

my apologies. i did do it, just could not film due to lighting and angles and i suck. but i explained how i did it.

[@bikemannc]

Our point is it's alot less tough and much easier removing all that extra you're claiming is easier not to .so make a 2nd vid and demo it for us please.

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

thats supposed to say without not withgout!

[@teknowil]

more like withgout, right the first time

[@mikespainting291]

Why bother to even make a video of misleading ignorance

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

? what are you talking about. its not misleading I did it.

[@mikespainting291]

@@ChrisEdwardsRestoration you didn't show it And I did it with the wiper try removed and it was hard to do

[@jasonkelley3540]

Everyone knows you don't have to take off a bunch of stuff to remove the front one. LOL. Also the back one is the one that is usually worse. I'm told that one gets more heat on it. Replacing the front one ONLY probably didn't fix ur problem.

[@davidroberts8210]

bet he didnt change the back one at all cause the back should be just as hard as the front this is semi usless waste of time

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

I did just couldn’t film it as you cant see in there