Getting a vehicle ready for Van Life

Q. I am converting a RAM van to a camper, not four-wheel drive for overlanding, I just want to try the Van Life. I have some appliances that I want to utilize and also will be working remotely while on the road. I don’t want to, or have room for, a gas generator, so I would prefer something else. I have looked at the battery power stations, but I don’t have the budget for that. Any ideas? 

A. The best method would be to add a second battery (deep cycle or Lithium iron phosphate battery-LiFePO). The lithium iron batteries are considered the best choice for this application but require dedicated chargers. Once you have the battery then you need to look at a voltage inverter to change the 12-volts to 120-volts. If you are running electronics and some appliances, look at a pure sine wave converter rather than a modified sine wave converter. Pure sine wave provides cleaner power. Then you need to determine wattage needs. Many people get by with 1,000–2,000 watts. Once the system is set up, you can charge the auxiliary battery with the vehicle alternator (depending on which battery you choose) or better yet, add a rooftop solar panel with a voltage regulator to maintain and charge the auxiliary battery.

Q. After reading one of your past articles, I was wondering whether my car has a timing belt or a timing chain. I own a 2017 Volkswagen Passat SEL Premium with a 1.8 liter turbo. It is an absolutely great vehicle and has been a joy to own. It now has 120,000 miles on it, and I would really like to keep it another five years. Anything else I should do to keep the car going? Also, have you ever considered an AI search tool to find your past answers. 

A. Over the years Volkswagen has gone back and forth between timing belts and timing chains. In your vehicle with the 1.8-liter engine, it uses a timing chain. Volkswagen did have some earlier issues with timing chain guides, but with proper maintenance, the chain should last the life of the car. To keep the car running well, follow the service recommendations in the owner’s manual and have a trusted repair shop give it a yearly checkup to catch small issues early. As for an AI search tool—not yet. For now, readers can email questions to [email protected], and every email gets a personal (not AI) reply.

Q. I just purchased a 1985 Chrysler LeBaron convertible as a summer fun car. The issue is it is running poorly. I am trying to get a scan tool for this engine, but all I find is the OBD1-to-OBD2 adapter wire. Can I use that with an OBD2 scanner for 1996–2022 cars on my Chrysler? My mechanic already changed the computer and cap, rotor, and spark plugs. Although that did not fix the running condition. It has a high-idle and bad fuel mileage. 

A. These cars with the Chrysler 2.2- or 2.5-liter engine, not the 2.6-liter Mitsubishi engine, had some diagnostics that didn’t require a scan tool. Cycle the ignition key ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON within five seconds and count the flashes of the “check engine” light. The flashes represent the code; 55 means the end of the code string. If you only get 55, there are no stored hard codes. For the 2.6 liter engine, an analog voltmeter and jumper wire attached to the diagnostic port can read codes. If there are no vacuum leaks and the idle speed control motor is functioning, a common issue is a poor electrical ground. The main ground near the thermostat housing often corrodes or loosens over time, causing drivability issues.

Q. I’m looking for a big SUV for our blended family. Although the Chevrolet Suburban would work, my husband thinks it is too big. I have narrowed my choices to the Nissan Armada or Toyota Sequoia. Any thoughts on these or something else? 

A. My choice would be the Toyota Sequoia — legendary reliability, solid engineering, and strong resale value. The Nissan Armada is a good vehicle, and I was impressed on my last road test, but I am more concerned about Nissan as a company. They lost billions in 2024 and 2025, though they have a solid restructuring plan moving forward. Also consider the Hyundai Palisade (strong value and warranty) and the Kia Carnival. The Carnival may be a minivan/MPV, but it offers plenty of room, comfortable seats, and a good ride.

Q. I own a Saturn SC2 three-door coupe with only 88,000 miles on it. The car sits outside under a carport at my winter home in Florida. I installed four new Cooper Cobra tires about 3,000 miles and four years ago. When I returned this winter, three of the four tires were almost flat. Two tire shops checked for leaks and found nothing. Could the original rims be the problem? Can I add a sealant to stop the leaks? 

A. Tire sealant may work, but it should be a last resort. It’s better to remove the tires, clean the wheels thoroughly, and use a bead sealer. Corrosion on alloy wheels often causes very slow leaks, and cleaning plus sealing usually fixes the issue.

John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE-certified master technician. E-mail your Car Doctor question to [email protected]. Listen to the Car Doctor podcast at johnfpaul.podbean.com.