I just did my 99 3.3. I took the intake manifold off. It made it real nice. I can fix a gasket. Not a piece of brittle plastic

Suddenly I'm feeling better about the $335 I spent to have this done. That's less than the possible cost of fixing my broken hand after I punch the engine a few times out of frustration.

I have been putting this on the back burner for a year now because how much of a pain it is. I like your last quote: "I am going to go have a cold one" haha

Appreciate the bullet-points here. I did the timing belt on my 1993 accord and this spark plug task looks like a similar type of “rubics cube” job. Let the fun begin.

Just take the alternator off and bracket to get at the back ones don't need to take anything apart you can access them if u jack up the front and get them from below 😉👍 easy

Awesome, was looking for someone that took the windsheild wiper assembly off, and you were one of the only ones that did it. Now that I've seen both ways...I may try to NOT take the windsheild wiper assembly off first... if the other way is too difficult, then I will. Thanks a bunch!

Nice to see an honest appraisal of the work involved! But I like Valerie Spinner's comment; you have to trust that a mechanic really did replace those back plugs.

To get to the number one spark plug, take off the two brackets the hold the alternator, you don't need to remove the alternator, then you can gain access, then 3 and 5 if you have long arms like me you can do a reach around the plenum to get them out, you can remove the air intake to gain a few more inches, I've done about 10 of these and it works everytime....1996 to 2000.... 3.3 and 3.8 v6..... A swivel and a long extention.... Then a swivel and a stubby rachet work best.

I’m about to do it myself the first time - thank you for the great video!!! I had it done by a shop once a long time ago - Now I see why my dad told me to bring the mechanic a plate of cookies! 😂🤘🏼

I wish I had seen your video before the one for a 2001 that recommended removing the cowel and wiper mechanism. I removed them only to find as you did that you can't reach over the intake plenim on a 99 and of course the little non-return valve in the washer hose under the cowel snapped when I tried to disconnect it, so you were smart to leave it connected. Since I had the alternator out already, I was able to get to the back 3 plugs by reaching in under the alternator bracket with my left arm and hand and working by feel, but the boots were so tight it took nearly my whole vocabulary of four and five letter words plus curved jaw vice grips and a long pry bar to finally get them off. I could even reach the driver side boot with both hands (have you hugged your 3.3 today?) but it was still so tight it was a devil to get off and when I finally got the plug out the snap connector was still on it, so back to O'Reillys for a new set of wires and a valve-less connector for the washer line. "Oh, those are always on the pump.", they said, but apparently not on a 99 grand caravan. With 245K miles on the van and it apparenlty still on the original wires and plugs (with 0.100" gaps) I hope never to do this again, but I suspect one could reach the back plugs with the alternator out and the wiper assembly and cowel still in place, although you might end up kissing it in order to get your arms around the intake and two hands on the driver side plug boot. I'll leave them off until after I get the alternator back in and tested, as it might be slightly easier to see and do that bottom bolt without them in the way. In any case there must be a special place in hell for the engineers who thought this arrangement was a good idea and if I end up there I am going to slap any I find in the face. Thanks again for the accurate video - much better than the very limited Chilton's description. BTW, my wife's 99 Sport is the same color as yours so it is almost like looking at her car in your video, except your engine is cleaner; my fingernails looked like a printers after the first go round with the dirty alternator.

Thanks partner I appreciate the help with the work on the engine with the spark plugs you really helped me and my situation

I have a 2000 Caravan. Its much easier to replace the rear plugs from underneath the vehicle. You just have to jack it up and use Stands to crawl under. Even thought I say its easier, its still a difficult job and you are working by feel only, no line of site.

Would it been easier to pull the plenum off the engine to access the plugs? A lot of cars now days you have to pull the plenum to get to the plugs

I did it on my voyaguer the easiest way to replace the 3 sp in the of engine is to lift the van secure with stands and replaced from under, I did that way n save of a lot hassle taking parts out.

I actually did it my self, it wasn't too bad, but felt like giving my van the reach around for 45 minutes getting those rear plugs in.

I tookof the plenum as well as the wiper assembly that made the job real easy

You might consider taking off the intake manifold too next time if you keep the van, but make sure you place a towel over the intake holes after removing, such that nothing falls in while working. Write down everything you unplug as a list, with a few pictures, then when putting it back together go backwards up the list. You will also have to get a new intake manifold gasket. A pain, but easier than taking off the alternator and having to reach back like you did. I changed my fuel injectors, and decided to change the spark plugs too, so that's how I found this out. Torque specs are 200 in-lbs = (16+2/3) ft-lbs for manifold, and 20 ft-lbs for the spark plugs.

What WERE the engineers thinking! Never had a car that was this difficult...Thanks for the help!

I did this yesterday on a 98. what a freaking nightmare. I put it on jackstands and accesed the rear plugs from underneath the vehicle. just thought id share (was a bit easier than this methhod) however the only one I couldnt and still cant get to is rear passenger side. im pulling the alternator today to try again. Engineers are assholes!

never use a tool to put in a spark plug put them in by hand first so you can feel how it goes it if you use any thing slip a ruber hose over the spark plug to get them in so you dont strip the thread the hose will slip

Nice job, I have a 2002 that's very similar. Thanks for sharing! Best Wishes n Blessings. Keith Noneya

Thank you a Lot Sir! I do appreciate this !

Instead of taking off the alternator, wouldn’t have been better to take the plenum off . That was what I did and I had good access to the rear plugs

Found that when repacing the spark plugs, it is easier to remove the upper intake plenum on 1999 voyager with 3,3L. The upper intake folds over to the rear. If you have a low profile plenum, like on a 2001 3.3L, removing the cowl/wiper assembly seems to be the better way to go.

On the 96-2000 vans the back plugs can be reached from underneath, but the one by the alternator is a bit of stretch from underneath, though I managed to with my long arms. The 2 you struggled with are easy underneath the van. On the 2001-2007 vans they made the wiper tray a little easier to remove and then you can easily get to the back 3 plugs. You can't get them from underneath easily on the newer vans.

Having a cold one while sympathizing with the whole ordeal.

thanks your video help me.

will do thanks for the tip

I tore mine down because my alternator seized from sitting for a year, took off the alternator, the intake plenum, the belt tensioner, the exhaust manifolds, the crossover pipe the wire the plugs...Couldn't find half the parts I needed, gaskets, bolts ground straps etc...What a friggin job...A shop probably would have charge a couple grand...I'm here because I'm not sure how my spark plug wires go back on.

Nice video. How did you remove the front left wiper connector that has a red plastic guard on it with grey connector? I gave up and installed the outer wiper compartment. Also I suggest replacing the rear valve cover gasket if you are going to take off the cowl cover. I had a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan and I changed the rear spark plugs by going under the van and managed to take out the plugs. I jacked up the van and used 4 jack stands because you have to get in the middle of the van to be able to reach the 3 spark plugs. This way takes too much time and you don't even have the space to remove them anyway. Good video quality.

I had a 98 and didn't know much back then, I did not remove the wiper assembly. instead I changed the passenger side plug by removing the alternator and changed the last 2 by tilting the engine forward and reaching from underneath the van. Oh, and I had to loosen the transmission mounts too. I really hate this generation of GC, thats why I stuck with a 93 and an 05.

TIPS (from experience with my own '99 DC). The factory plugs in my van require a 13/16" spark plug socket, so be sure to either check the size of your plugs or have both a 5/8 and 13/16 plug socket on hand. You can get the sockets in a pair or set to be prepared for other applications. I ran into a similar problem with my valve cover gaskets. Some '99 DCs have a thinner gasket, whereas mine requires the much more expensive thick gasket. So if you decide to change those, find out which gasket type you have by looking at the factory gasket in your van *before* you are arbitrarily sold the wrong gaskets. You may even want to bring your old gasket to be sure you are getting the right gaskets for your van.

If you remove the intake manifold you have reach the 3 spark plugs.

I jacked the passenger side way up to get the back side plugs replaced from underneath, I still needed help from my neighbor getting that no 1 cylinder on back passenger side( he guided the socket from above whilst I barely was able to ratchet from underneath).. Only removal on top of engine was alt bracket so it is possible, tough as hell tho..

You want to use a little bit of dielectric grease I'm the whole of the spark plug boot.

Was the rear valve cover accessible with the wiper cowl out of the way? Thanks!

What size bolts do windshield wiper use? I had someone work on my van and they lost the bolts. Now I can't seem to find right size...

Thank you! We did this once before and it was hard, but worth it. I mean, you might take it to the shop, but how do you really know that they indeed replaced the back plugs? You would never know. So at least when you do it yourself , you know!

The last 2 on the back you replace by going under and access them that way, the one on the passenger side I could not do so I took it to a shop

I have a 96 Dodge Grand Caravan SE with the 3.3L EGA motor, I believe this is the same motor as you have, can you tell me if the Spark plugs are located on the heads, or on the block itself?

Appreciate it just finished up an man even with skinny arms it was hectic, would advise mechanic experience required to do this seemingly simple task

My time is worth too much to me to save a few bucks on spark plugs. Use double platinum by Bosch or Champion so they'll last. I'm currently doing "maintenance" on a 99 3.3 with 150K miles. Changing spark plugs, wires, oxygen sensors, PCV valve/hose, valve cover gaskets/grommets and alternator. Take the wiper cowl and upper intake manifold off and it's all quite easy. If you change the O2 sensor you can clip the old O2 sensor wires off which makes the upper intake manifold a lot easier to get out. Since all of this stuff lasted 150K miles, I expect none of it will have to be redone for the rest of the life of the vehicle. The most difficult part is getting the right parts in a timely fashion without breaking the bank.

i need to change my spark plugs but this makes me think that i will just sell my car XD

Did you try raising the vehicle such as on ramps?, Then on creeper or big sheet of cardboard slide under, have a good work light and approach plugs from the rear bottom. If so no need to do all the other work.

Okay so I was just wondering if in any way there would be more room to reach the back three plugs from underneath the carriage??? Like if you had it up on ramps or what have you.

Help.can you tell me which is cylinders are 123456?. I'm new to this diy, which ones are the 3front ones,and the 3 on the back.

You don't need to do all that put it on ramps and u can get to them from underneath although it's not easy it's easier than all that . I've done it more than once

After seeing this, pay $350 so I can sit back and drink a cold one... Worth it. I have been doing my own work on cars for 20 plus years and after doing this once, its a super pain in the rear.

Wow thats insane!! And i have the same junk van!!! Lol

Any recommendation on a tool that will remove a seized wiper arm? I’ve tried one but the arm is so damn fat for standard pullers.

Damn u mean to tell me i gotta do all dat to change those 3 back plugs oh well. I guess I'll be drivin on 3 cylinders for now on

Someone probably already told you but you forgot to connect the top twisted rubber hose that goes to the air filter at the end of this video. I just wanted to see where to screw the back plastic spark plug wire holder. Thx 4 video.

I put the rear ones in underneath.... left the plug wires there I remember even this was frustrating to reach

and this is what Detroit is selling the public - like you have a choice... Looks like the best route is to work from underneath on a lift... and don't go to a dealer!!! Local shop is best...

Hola, gracias por compartir el vídeo.

How the heck do you get to the number one plug on a dang 1996 caravan 3.3 I've watched several videos none have the right year or skip that part ..the front is the easy part why show only that

I did the same but now the dashboard light doesn't work and it doesn't start. ??? Could it be a relay.

It is no need to take off the windshield wiper assembly or plenum .I take it off under the car there are the hole that is easy to replace two spark plug.

You spent most of your video on the front set of plugs which is quite routine, then on the rear you have a big jump edit where you say the rain started.

is this for the 1996 too?

It's probably 18 foot pounds and want to make sure you back so that you don't end up cross threading, almost more important than over tightening lug just about as equally bad.

you dont have to take anything. apart to change the back spark plugs if you know what your doing my boyfriend just got done changing all six plugs in about 50 min. he says all you have to do is bear hug an finger fuck it an theres no problem so get in their guys an get et done !!!!!

What year is the caravan in the video?

You do NOT want to use anti-sieze on new spark plugs! Even though they don't look like they have anything on them...they do. Anti-sieze affects the torque to the point that the spark plugs may be tightened too much and stretch the threads in the head.

I tried to change mines but they wouldn't budge

What year is the Dodge Caravan?

hello, is very easy out admision and suport alternador. look my video in español (sacar bujias chysler caravan) by cristian Rios. pd: my inglés is very bad😁

take off the upper manifold, pull engine forward with a strap and back plugs will be easier to reach.

C'mon, Spell it w/ me now... ANODE & ELECTRODE, those be the official terms ;)

hey will this help me to replace my wires on my year 2000 ford windstar mini van to finish my tune up because my car shaking bad i just paid $100.94 cents to a shop for my spark plugs alone all i had to give my last can't afford wires added to their payment to bills are. needed to be paid by me I feel work to hard to be charge so much so im motivated to get the rest of the job done doing the wires myself to finish the tube up on my own with the help of Jesus knowledge truly is more power thank you Jesus for your video 👍good job....... ✋

Professional mechanics tear off all the engine to replace the spark plugs

With all that work why wouldn't you spend the extra $30 and get the best spark plugs which last much much longer. I have a 2000 DGC with 200k. I believe they are the original plugs but definately at least 100k on them

A good parts person would not even suggest using a copper core plug 4 this job double tip platinum is oe. You want the plugs that will perform and last a hundred thousand or more

Wires are insulated there's absolutely no reason that they can't touch

Save me $200 in my pocket

wow there no other way around it lol

I send my car to a mechanic and he change plugs from the button

Dude 4 and a half minutes to install a plug.

the parts cost me 150.00 in 2023

Not worth doing unless you have to or have a shop do it.

Horrible el sistema, lastima, tengo una voyaguer 94

You wasted most of your video with the straight-forward part of changing the front plugs, then basically didn't do much except recommend you check a dealership to remove the back plugs? GEEZ!!!

Lmao, what were the engineers thinking? That's Chrysler/Dodge for ya! Exactly why I would never buy one!

Isn't that awful!!!

Got pissed took a sledge hammer a case of cold ones a couple hooters later it's ready for the scrap pile Chrysler is junk shit stick to Chevy