Hi all...I have a 1997 grand caravan that blew out the trans oil through the radiator coolant overflow recovery bottle. I had to pay for a new radiator, water pump, and rebuilt trans. Has anybody else had or heard of this problem? There was no damage to the radiator before hand. The tech that replaced the parts said it was very rare. The van is out of warranty but I don't think that I should should be stuck with all that bill
...since that little bellows looking thing in the radiator(where the leak was according to the tech) is not a serviceable item. What's your opinion on this. tnx
w8ezl

When we first bought our 97 Grand Caravan, I noticed the discoloration in the overflow tank and had similar concerns that you had voiced. More specifically, I had thought one of the many summer new hires had accidently poured trany oil into the refill bottle mistakenly. During our 6 month checkup, I had the dealer sample the fluid and required he run an analysis on the contents of fluid as well as sign on the analysis so that should there be a latent failure, liability shifts to dodge or the dealer. The analysis came back negitive and the trany has been trouble free to this point (36K/5years of moderate driving). My figures our crossed in hope that I do not suffer the dreaded "transmission demise" most dodge minivan owners complain of.
PM