The 1990 Town & Country represents Chrysler's first-generation minivan with optional all-wheel-drive, built on the AS platform. The 3.3L and 3.8L V6 engines share the same block family but suffer from well-documented head gasket and lower-end durability issues when maintenance lapses.
Cylinder Head Gasket Failure (Both Banks)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: External coolant leaks at head/block mating surface, often rear bank first, White exhaust smoke on cold starts that clears after warmup, Overheating with no obvious leak, or repeated need to top off coolant, Oil contamination in coolant or milky oil cap residue
Fix: Both heads must come off even if only one side leaks due to labor overlap. Requires head gasket set, ARP studs recommended over OEM bolts, machine shop resurface if warped beyond 0.003 inch. Expect 12-16 hours labor for both banks including coolant flush and timing alignment.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Corrosion and Leaks
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: ATF puddles under front of vehicle, often passenger side, Transmission slipping or delayed engagement when fluid gets low, Rust perforation visible on steel cooler lines running to radiator, Burnt ATF smell if leak progresses unnoticed
Fix: Replace both cooler lines as a pair since corrosion affects both. If ATF mixed with coolant in radiator, flush cooling system and consider radiator replacement. Lines are about 2-3 hours labor, radiator adds another 3-4 hours. Always refill with ATF+3 spec fluid.
Estimated cost: $350-900
Lower End Bearing Wear and Rod Knock
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Deep knocking sound from crankcase, increases with RPM and load, Metallic debris or glitter in oil during changes, Low oil pressure at idle when engine is hot, Noise often starts subtly then rapidly worsens over 500-2,000 miles
Fix: Requires engine removal, full teardown, crank grinding (usually 0.010 or 0.020 under), new bearings, rod bolts, and full gasket set. If crank is too far gone, short block replacement is more economical. Plan 20-28 hours for in-frame rebuild or 16-20 for short block swap.
Estimated cost: $3,200-5,500
Transmission Mount Failure (Front and Rear)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or banging when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive driveline shudder on acceleration from stop, Visible sagging or torn rubber on mount inspection, Transmission lever feels sloppy or notchy
Fix: Both front and rear mounts typically need replacement together. Front mount is accessible, rear requires subframe support. Combined job is about 2.5-3.5 hours. OEM-quality mounts essential; cheap aftermarket versions fail in 20,000 miles.
Estimated cost: $280-550
Fuel System Vapor Lock and Hard Starting When Hot
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Engine cranks but won't start after sitting 10-30 minutes following hot operation, Fires immediately when cold, problematic only after heat soak, Improved starting if hood is opened to vent heat, May throw intermittent fuel pressure codes on scanner
Fix: Fuel filter restriction is common culprit (filter under vehicle near tank, 0.5-1 hour job). If filter doesn't solve it, fuel pump check valve in tank may be weak, requiring tank drop and pump replacement (4-5 hours). Heat shielding around fuel lines also deteriorates.
Estimated cost: $150-850
A604 (41TE) Transmission Solenoid Pack and Governor Pressure Sensor Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed shifts, especially 1-2 and 2-3, Stuck in second gear (limp mode) with check engine light, Erratic shifting that improves or worsens with temperature, Codes for governor pressure sensor or solenoid circuit
Fix: Governor pressure sensor and solenoid pack both fail frequently on this transmission. Pan drop and valve body removal required, 3-4 hours labor. Replace both components together with new filter and gasket. Use OEM or Sonnax parts only; aftermarket electrical components have high failure rate.
Estimated cost: $650-1,200
Only buy with complete service records showing regular ATF changes and recent head gasket work, or budget $3,000-5,000 for major engine work within first year—these drivetrains are maintenance-sensitive and unforgiving when neglected.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.