1999 Dodge Caravan won't start after making a "zipper&q

1999 DODGE CARAVAN
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STUGGLIE
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Traveling down the freeway yesterday, doing about 70, I heard a strange sound like a zipper from the engine. I took my foot off of the accelerator and the sound stopped but the engine was weaker. A few minutes later it made the zipper sound again and again the sound stopped. I pulled over and the engine cut out as I was slowing down. Turning on the ignition the engine cranks and eventually sputters to a very brief and weak life but will not remain running and builds up pressure/backfire blowing the rubber hose off of the top of the valve cover.

I am thinking timing belt failure, otherwise I'm at a loss. Any ideas?

Vehicle is a 1999 Dodge Caravan Sport, 3.3L V6 Flex Fuel with 142,000 miles.
Mar 13, 2007 at 5:53 AM
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RSARARENCH
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what I think has happened, and Ive seen this before in the 3.3 the water pump is driven by the timing belt. The water pump siezed up and the belt going around the stuck pulley sounds like a zipper because of the teeth on it. You probley jumped a tooth or two on thecamshafts which explains the backfire. Be sure to check the water pump when you put a new belt on Randy
Mar 25, 2007 at 11:20 AM
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RSARARENCH
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Please forgive me I was thinking of a 2.4 L.
Mar 25, 2007 at 12:28 PM
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