1998 Dodge Caravan ticking noise

Tiny
CHASITY82
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,500 MILES
My Dodge Caravan started making a light ticking sound that is sporadic about 6 months ago. Over time it has gotten a little louder but comes and goes. (It gets louder and quiets down) but it never goes away now like it used too. When I start the van now in the morning, the ticking sound is REALLY loud and then quiets to almost non existent. I dont have much money so I cant take it to a mechanic. Can you help me?
Thursday, November 11th, 2010 AT 11:35 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Is the sound coming from the engine?
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Saturday, November 13th, 2010 AT 5:50 AM
Tiny
CHASITY82
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No, my husband says it sounds like its coming from down by the timing belt area not the engine.
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Tuesday, November 16th, 2010 AT 2:01 PM
Tiny
SATGENIUS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The serpentine belt sometimes is a problem but in most cases it is the belt that drives the air conditioner pump. The mileage on your car subjects it to some wear. It sounds like you need some maintenance. Check the belts for wear like cracking or just worn out. There is a list of things that needs to be look at with that kind of mileage. Look at your owners manual for that list.
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Friday, December 31st, 2010 AT 8:34 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
The serp belt and the timing belt are next to each other. One is covered on the front of the engine and the other is exposed in front of the engine.
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Saturday, January 1st, 2011 AT 8:29 PM
Tiny
SATGENIUS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
There are 3 belts to look at. The easiest is the serpentine belt, that is the longest one. The other belt is a somewhat short and drives the A/C pump. Those two belts are external. The other one is a timing belt and it is internal. With the mileage on your car, you should consider changing that one too. Timing belts should be changed approx. Every 50,000 miles.
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Sunday, January 2nd, 2011 AT 7:27 PM

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