1990 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY

Typical 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

Typical 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

Typical 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

Typical 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

Symptoms: 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

Typical 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