Timing Belt

Tiny
WOLVES2U
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 DODGE STRATUS
My daughter has this stratus, & after the car quit on her, she had it towed to a garage. Without tearing in to her car she was told the timing belt broke. She was told the repairs would run 1600.00. She was told this would include the head being completely redone due to the fact when this model throws a belt, the vavles continue to move causing them to hit the pistons. She was also told the belt should have been replaced at 60,000 miles. My first questions: Is this normal to lose a timing belt with only 72000 miles? Second question: Is it true they would build an engine designed to possably cause more damage like the vavles hitting the pistons when the belt goes? Third and last question: What should the average cost range be on timing belt replacement under normal conditions without replacing everything under the hood? Thanks.
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Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 AT 6:54 PM

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Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If she has the 2.4L 4 cylender, it is a non-interferance engine. Basically, that means the head doesn't need to be touched. If the mechanic has any experience, he can tell by cranking the engine if the belt has broken. So, I can give him that. The belt cost around 40.00 and according to my book, it calls for 3.6 hours labor X their labor rate. (NOTE: An timing belt from Chrysler us 100.00 I'm sure you can get one from a parts store for much less.) I just looked one up for a price, 43.99 at a nationally recognized parts store. As far as the mileage, check the owner's manual. I would think replacement is aroung 100K

Remember, if you have the 2.4L, and I believe you do, tell the mechanic 2.4L Chrysler engines have valve relief notches in the head, so a failed timing belt shouldn't result in piston or valve damage. That should shut them up. I would take it to a different shop if it was mine.

Let me know what they say and how you make out with this issue.

Joe
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Saturday, August 7th, 2010 AT 12:43 AM
Tiny
HARVORTIZ
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Hello Joe,
I seem to be having the same issue. All crank, no start. I put a spark testing on one plug and cranked it, no sparks. A mechanic told me the timing belt is broken over the phone. Would a broken timing belt on the 2.4L engine cause the sparks to be disabled? Or should if buy a ignition coil, crank sensor and keep troubleshooting?
Thanks
Harv
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Sunday, October 5th, 2014 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
TEDDYBARRIER
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  • 2006 DODGE STRATUS
  • 130,633 MILES
Driving down road engine light came on, then car shut off.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
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Will the vehicle start and run, now? If not does it crank ok? When it died, did it cough and sputter or did just drop dead completely, all at once?
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TC555
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  • 2005 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
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2005 dodge stratus replacing timing belt 2.4 L. Is there any way to lock the cams in place while installing belt?
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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There's no tool like you might find for some GM engines. The easiest thing to do, as long as the old belt isn't broken, is to set the crankshaft sprocket at top dead center and leave it there. Valve spring pressure might cause the cams to turn when you loosen the belt, but when the opening valves hit the pistons, the cams will stop rotating without causing valve damage. Turning the crank is what will damage the valves, and since you're starting with it already at TDC, nothing will happen. When you turn the cams to line up the timing marks, you'll be moving the valves away from the pistons, not into them.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TC555
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Belt broke at speed, is this an interference engine or not? I've heard it both ways.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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The older single cam 2.4 was an interference engine. I don't know about a 2005, if they changed the design or not, and I've never really heard anything about the double cam engines.

Once the new belt is installed, run a compression test to check the valves. Another test is a cylinder leakage test. I can describe that if you've never heard of it. The compression test will tell you if there is leakage. The cylinder leakage test will let you determine where the leakage is occurring.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TC555
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I have both a compression tester and a leakdown tester, thanks for your time.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HOLLAND HILSCHER
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  • 2005 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
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  • 130,000 MILES
I need to find out what the real timing marks are on the dual over head cams and the crankshaft timing marks.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
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What is the 8th digit of your VIN?
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HOLLAND HILSCHER
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The letter you need is a x
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/261618_Graphic_673.jpg

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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HOLLAND HILSCHER
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Thank you for your help.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BTTYBEAL
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  • 2005 DODGE STRATUS
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I need to know how to set the timing belt on this car.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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Hi there,

Engine timing belt set up as per pic.

Mark (mhpautos)


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/61395_cam_timing_2.jpg

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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KINGL
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  • 2004 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
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  • AUTOMATIC
  • 139,000 MILES
How to line up camshaft to install timming belt
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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There's a whole page of instructions and warnings. Unfortunately I can't copy and paste them. For a job like this you should consider getting a copy of the manufacturer's service manual. They're pretty easy to find on eBay.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALLEN HUCKABEE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 DODGE STRATUS
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 111,000 MILES
I am in the process of aligning the camshafts to install a new timing belt, but I cannot get the rear camshaft (number one cylinder) timing mark to align properly. When I turn the camshaft, to pops by the mark and is about nine teeth off (see arrow in attached image).

Any suggestions?
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
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You may have not backed off auto tension-er and pinned in place. See instructions and recheck your work to it.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 6:28 PM (Merged)

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