Timing Belt Replacement

[MarkB]

The timing belt in my 2002 Pt with 70,000 miles was lose and slapping against the top cover.
The amount of labor to replace the timing belt in this car is absurd.
Anyone know of any tricks?
To remove the motor support plate, I ended up jacking the engine up as high as possible.
Is there an easier way to get that plate in and out?

The main problem found was the belt tensioner lost its tension.
I would like to replace it with the new design tensioner (2003+).
Anyone know what else needs to be replaced?
Part numbers would also be very helpful.

[slartyblarfast]

Don't have part numbers handy but you will need the new tensioner and new timing belt covers. Your Chrysler dealership will have the parts. As for the engine plate that's all you can do is jack the engine up. That's how I do'em! The turbo engines are even worse! You can't jack the engine quite high enough.... about an inch short!

[WinDaddy]

I did mine at 90K last year. A real pain in the a$$. The big repair estimating book lists it as an 8hr job for a dealer mechanic- ~$500 labor. I found out why...

I jacked it up just high enough on the right side to get the job done. When I finished, I found I had cracked the plastic on the main ECU wiring plug and had to patch it with some caulking. Lesson learned...

All I can say is plan on taking two days to do the job at home without a lift.

Good luck!
-Win

[MarkB]

I cracked the same connector.

Maybe we can use that to determine if a belt has been changed.

[skbaden]

The Timing belt on my 2004 PT needed to be replaced
last week to the tune of $825
("OUCH", I believe, is the proper response here).
The belt, while not totally broken, was badly torn.
This all happened with only 68K mileage.
My mechanic (whom I trust much more than the Chrysler
techs at the dealership) says that my T-belt tensioner was
defective, and that, in fact, Chrysler has since distributed a
replacement tensioner to all the local auto parts stores.

Would it be reasonable to ask Chrysler to at least
reimburse me for the new tensioner and the labor required
to install it (around $200)? ... Or am I living in a dream world?

[Hooligan]

Welcome to the Forum. You can try contacting Chrysler to see what they will do for you. From the people on this Forum who have had it done, it is expensive as it takes a few hours. The recommended parts to replace at the time you do the belt is the tensioner and water pump. Good Luck.

[vdbd08pt]

Originally Posted by MarkB

The timing belt in my 2002 Pt with 70,000 miles was lose and slapping against the top cover.
The amount of labor to replace the timing belt in this car is absurd.

Ok, I'll bite. How much?

My guess is between $400-$550? I'd Let them do it and I bet you'll get the newer pulley too.

I'll work on Aircraft, motorcycles, and Any Avionics on the plant but not cars.

Edit: Wow! About $800 and the possability of getting a cracked Electronic Contol Unit.
Hmm... I guess I could get down and dirty once every 70K for 800 clams.
I just have a hard time getting my Fred Flintstone hands in those tight little places.

Van

[compdr59]

I have a 2001 w/ 108k miles and I was looking at the manual to see what needs to be done to remove the engine support bracket. Do you have to disconnect the A/C lines and the exhaust system to lift the engine to get to the bolts? Is there an easier way? Is this job doable with a floor jack and jack stands?

[mirrorz]

I was doing the routine maintenance and since I'm not a midget I found it much easier to remove the engine and do everything I needed to do with it outside of the engine compartment.

I had a few other problems to deal with that stemmed from getting a batch of water and sludge instead of fuel at a local Valero station but my initial goal was just to change the timing belt.

If/when you do open your A/C lines, try using aluminum tape to immediately seal off the open lines to save your drier.







...and the #1 source of my problems.



(sorry for the large images)