timing belt...

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:30 pm

Just finished having the timing belt replaced at about 159,000 k (~99,400 miles)... which is well ahead of the recommended servicing but I'd rather get it done early than risk blowing a timing belt.

Parts (all from Mopar) replaced at the same time:

-timing belt
-water pump
-water pump seal <-- EDIT: I forgot this one
-hydraulic tensioner & pulley assembly
-power steering/ac belt tensioner
-cam seal
-crank seal
-upper engine torque strut

I swear the old belt looks like it is good to go for another 150,000 k given the great condition it seems to be in.

On the other hand, both the old water pump and pulley from the tensioner make definite noises when rotated by hand and certainly don't rotate as smoothly as the new parts.

Before I had the job done I provided a dealership with the VIN number and based on that the parts guy suggested it had the hydraulic tensioner... however, I just wasn't comfortable purchasing it until they tore it down to see for certain. Turns out the parts guy was spot on... it is hydraulic. I found the hydraulic tensioner/pulley assembly is backordered in Canada... the only way to get one in a reasonable period of time was to get a Mopar parts guy to find another dealership with them in stock and willing to part with one. Found one dealership in southern Ontario that had 7 of them.

It seems to run smoother and quieter now... perhaps just my overactive imagination.

I'm pleased to have this maintenance issue done with.

Post by **Canada** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:07 pm

May I ask what you paid to have it done? Seems pretty intensive and what they charged you for labour hours?

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:58 pm

Mine runs a little quieter after I did the timing belt, but I also had new exhaust guides installed (and valves/seats ground). The intake guides were well within spec. but the exhaust had around .025" play. I think mainly due to massive carbon buildup that had accumulated. Valve seals and catch can FTW! Since I installed an '02 Mag cam/springs also I spent the extra $ to get the head in good working order. My timing belt change ended up costing $600.00 + and I did all the labor.
Edit: Except for the head work. (Well I did do some cleaning of the horrible casting flash in the exhaust ports and cosmetic polishing on the intake side.)

Chibits12 · Post by **Chibits12** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:08 am

Actually that price you got's not so bad considering you did the labor and you had more done to it. I had mine done at a shop last November and it cost me almost $700 to change the belt, water pump, tensioner, and rear brake drums.

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:22 am

hmm where is the torque strut? or is this only on a first gen?

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:23 am

Canada wrote:May I ask what you paid to have it done? Seems pretty intensive and what they charged you for labour hours?

Sure... total labour for the job was $407.94 CDN.

I would not expect everyone to need to replace all those parts. On mine the upper torque strut was shot as the rubber had completely let go from the mount and the power steering/ac belt tensioner was also shot.

The rest of the parts were a "while in there might as well replace these too" type of thing.

EDIT: ...but as it turned out it was a good thing to replace the tensioner and water pump given the noise both were making.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:44 am

ragek23 wrote:hmm where is the torque strut? or is this only on a first gen?

This is a 2nd gen...

The upper torque strut is a non-weight bearing part of the engine mount system. It, along with the lower torque strut, keeps the engine from twisting too much. As you stand in front of the engine bay it is found on the left side... short bulky piece of which one end is bolted to the strut tower.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 11:39 am

Unless the timing belt is being changed for other reasons than high mileage, the water pump and timing belt tensioner are pretty much a part of the timing belt service. I think the water pump is around the same life expectancy of the timing belt. My water pump spun nicely but after close inspection it was starting to leak ever so slightly. If either of these fail (sieze) you wasted alot more than time and $ having the belt changed! As for the motor mount bracket/acessory belt drive tensoiner, there is a write up some where on swapping the pulley, but if there's mileage, my luck the spring will break and I'd be pulling it apart again after a month anyways. May as well pony up the extra $100+ for that too. The part that sucks is the tensioner assy used to be available separate from the mount for around $50.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:19 pm

occasional demons wrote:Unless the timing belt is being changed for other reasons than high mileage, the water pump and timing belt tensioner are pretty much a part of the timing belt service. I think the water pump is around the same life expectancy of the timing belt. My water pump spun nicely but after close inspection it was starting to leak ever so slightly.

Yep. I just inspected my old water pump a little more closely and it definitely shows signs of minor leakage.

Good to get those bad parts swapped out.

60trim · Post by **60trim** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:26 pm

I always do my water pump and tensioner when I do the belt. No questions asked. Its always a good idea to do them all at the same time.