Any caution to lift engine?

[jd350b]

Hello all,

New guy here. Looks like a pretty nice Forum.

I have a 2001 PT with 148,000 miles on her with very little problems.

Water pump went bad - reading in the Forum I learned I need to also replace the timing belt and tensioner while I'm at it.

I started the job in my garage (arghhh). I'm at the point of trying to get the engine mount plate off. I have the bolts loose but they hit the chassis and they won't come all the way out. I lifted the engine about 3 inches but it's not enough.

Anybody else ever pulled this engine mount? thoughts? tips?

Thanks in advance,
JD

[jd350b]

A local repair shop told me the engine has to be fully disconnected (axels, wiring, exhaust, radiator etc) and lifted at least 12" out of the compartment in order to remove the engine mount plate.

I thought I read a post in here somewhere that said the engine did not have to be disconnected and lifted that high??

Any thoughts?

thanks
JD

[slartyblarfast]

You do not have to disconnect the engine. The bet thing to do is unbolt the a/c drier from the frame rail and then you can jack the engine up more than enough to get the mount off. You can practically jack the engine out to the car.

[jd350b]

Thanks Slartyblarfast!

I have disconnected the...
a/c hoses, top engine mount, lower engine mount and the p/s pump

do I need to disconnect anything else (axels, exhaust, trans monut, wiring etc)?

I do have a lift. The car is now lowered and I'm using a floor jack to lift the engine but it looks like I'd have to go up quite a bit because the bolts on the engine plate are like 4 inches long (I got the top two out and assume the bottom ones are the same length).

Thanks for your help! I read your previous posts and was hoping you'd see my post to offer your advice.

[slartyblarfast]

Right off the top of my head that's all you need to disconnect. Take off the bracket that holds the top mount to give extra room but you will be surprised how far you can jack the engine up!

[jd350b]

Thanks, I have to work a couple of long days but will be at it Friday morning.

Thanks for the tips. Glad to hear I don't have to take anything else off.

The Haynes manual doesn't offer much insight.

-JD

[jd350b]

Well, I finally got the water pump replaced

What a major pain in the you know what!!!

The job is not over yet. I still have to put the rest of it back together and recharge the A/C.

As far as the timing belt tensioner. Is there an inspection to determine if the old one can be reused? I know the obvious..."If it was that hard to take apart why would you NOT replace the tensioner?"

Well, if it should be replaced I will, but does it need to be?

Thanks,
JD

[CREWZIN]

JD,

You have a 2001 model. Chrysler updated the tensioner in either 2003 or 04 with a new/better one, so even if yours looks good, as you say, everything is apart, so might as well put in the "new" tensioner.

How about the drive belts, are you replacing them? one for the air-conditioning compressor and power steering and one for the alternator.

[jd350b]

Hey Crewzin,

The tensioner I speak of is the timing belt tensioner.
Is there an upgrade to this item?

Yes, I will replace both drive belts A/C/PS and Alt.

Thanks

-JD

[CREWZIN]

Sorry. Don't know anything about the tensioner for the timing belt. No body ever said they changed it.

The book says to check the automatic tensioner for leaks and any obvious damage to the body.