02 Cruiser mechanical or hydraulic tensioner?

[michaellasdad]

Hi, new user here, I have an 02 Cruiser with 90k and I was told that my timing belt was on its way out because it is making a "slapping" noise inside the cover, like the belt is shredding. My question is through my research the people at Chrysler made a change from a mechanical tensioner to a hydraulic tensioner, I also read that which tensioner you have depends on the 8th digit of your vin, well my 8th digit is a "B" am I to assume that the "B" means that its the Hydraulic type? I just don't want to buy the incorrect kit for my Cruiser.

[rckstein]

Welcome to the forum

While the area is torn apart, you should also replace: timing belt, water pump, tensioner, idler pulley, 2 cam seals, crank seal, center motor mount.

[michaellasdad]

Originally Posted by rckstein

Welcome to the forum

While the area is torn apart, you should also replace: timing belt, water pump, tensioner, idler pulley, 2 cam seals, crank seal, center motor mount.

I was planning on buying everything you mentioned but I'm not going to do the work, it's WAY over my comfort level but I just wanted to make sure I bought the correct tensioner because of the part change. do I need to replace the center motor mount at the same time or is it a convenience factor?

[Handy_Cruiser]

Welcome to the forum. You should introduce yourself and tell us more about your PT in the new members section.

The PT engines were one generation newer than the 2.4L engines that used the hydraulic timing belt tensioner. All PT engines use one of two spring-style tensioners.

2001 and most 2002 models used the early design "grenade pin" tensioner. This one comes preloaded with a pin that you pull once it is in place against the new timing belt. For 2003 and up, there is a later design adjustable tensioner that requires the tension to be set by the installer.




You can use the newer design on a PT engine that came with the older grenade pin design. But there will have to be modifications made to back part of the plastic timing belt cover. I believe CREWZIN (forum moderator) has the newer style on his 2001 PT.

[rckstein]

Originally Posted by michaellasdad

I was planning on buying everything you mentioned but I'm not going to do the work, it's WAY over my comfort level but I just wanted to make sure I bought the correct tensioner because of the part change. do I need to replace the center motor mount at the same time or is it a convenience factor?

Center mount is a convenience, if you have to do it later, per the manual: remove engine. While the area is open, it's just a few dollars for the part and labor. Are you having the work done at a dealership, or some smaller shop? I would get the best parts that you can afford, not the kind of work you want to have cheap or inferior parts installed.

[michaellasdad]

Originally Posted by rckstein

Center mount is a convenience, if you have to do it later, per the manual: remove engine. While the area is open, it's just a few dollars for the part and labor. Are you having the work done at a dealership, or some smaller shop? I would get the best parts that you can afford, not the kind of work you want to have cheap or inferior parts installed.

I'm actually having it done at a shop that I trust, I had them replace my engine cradle and they did a fantastic job at a reasonable price. I will buy the best parts I can, I have been told that Gates are the parts to buy, is that a reasonable assumption considering the prices are all over the map?

[michaellasdad]

Originally Posted by Handy_Cruiser

Welcome to the forum. You should introduce yourself and tell us more about your PT in the new members section.

The PT engines were one generation newer than the 2.4L engines that used the hydraulic timing belt tensioner. All PT engines use one of two spring-style tensioners.

2001 and most 2002 models used the early design "grenade pin" tensioner. This one comes preloaded with a pin that you pull once it is in place against the new timing belt. For 2003 and up, there is a later design adjustable tensioner that requires the tension to be set by the installer.




You can use the newer design on a PT engine that came with the older grenade pin design. But there will have to be modifications made to back part of the plastic timing belt cover. I believe CREWZIN (forum moderator) has the newer style on his 2001 PT.

Then my question is still, when did they (Chrysler) change from the grenade pin type to the adjustable design and can you tell which you have by your vin number?

[Handy_Cruiser]

Originally Posted by michaellasdad

Then my question is still, when did they (Chrysler) change from the grenade pin type to the adjustable design and can you tell which you have by your vin number?

The stock answer is going to be 2003. But some 2002 PT's seem to be transitional. If you have a 2002, chances are that you have the early style tensioner. In which case, the one you would likely get at the parts store. But there is a small probability you don't. Of you take the VIN number and call the parts department at a dealership, they can tell you the part number of the replacement Mopar tensioner. You can then cross that over to just about any aftermarket brand and see for yourself.

Of course if you don't need to order ahead of time, the easy answer is just to wait on the tensioner or timing kit until you remove the timing belt cover. If a shop does the work, they may get the more common type of tensioner first, but they will likely just go swap it at the parts store if it's the wrong one. The price of both are very similar. So it's no big deal. And if the mechanic knows what he or she is doing, they can easily fit the new design tensioner no matter the original as long as the new tensioner comes with the bracket as most do.




PS: If you buy your own parts, consider getting all the timing components together in a kit. It can save you a lot of money. And RockAuto has some great prices on these.

[michaellasdad]

Originally Posted by Handy_Cruiser

The stock answer is going to be 2003. But some 2002 PT's seem to be transitional. If you have a 2002, chances are that you have the early style tensioner. In which case, the one you would likely get at the parts store. But there is a small probability you don't. Of you take the VIN number and call the parts department at a dealership, they can tell you the part number of the replacement Mopar tensioner. You can then cross that over to just about any aftermarket brand and see for yourself.

Of course if you don't need to order ahead of time, the easy answer is just to wait on the tensioner or timing kit until you remove the timing belt cover. If a shop does the work, they may get the earlier type tensioner first, but they will likely just go swap it at the parts store if it's the wrong one. The price of both are very similar. So it's no big deal.




PS: Consider getting all the timing components together in a kit. It can save you a lot of money. And RockAuto has some great prices on these.

Thank you very much!!! Yes, I LOVE RockAuto, they have very good prices. I will take your suggestion on calling a dealer with my vin, then cross referencing the Mopar part number.

[michaellasdad]

Originally Posted by rckstein

Welcome to the forum

While the area is torn apart, you should also replace: timing belt, water pump, tensioner, idler pulley, 2 cam seals, crank seal, center motor mount.

I am looking for the center motor mount on Rockaoto, but it doesn't say anything about a center mount, can you be more specific please?