[Wildcat]

Well its been fun, but I am about to join the ranks of the non-LH car ownership..

The Timing belt tensioner went, while on the highway doing about 75...

The engine is likely trashed as it IS and interference motor, and I cant justify putting a new $2500 motor into a car with a blue book of $3200...

And to think, last month i made my final payment..

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Just remeber, you're always welcome here, even if you don't buy another Lh car

 

[Warlord187]

So whatca gonna be drivin'?

 

[DMAG]

Dump a Hemi in it!

Sorry to hear about your Eagle...it looks like the body is in great shape...if you are mechanically inclined...why not rebuild it yourself for a couple hundred bucks and have yourself a fresh engine?

 

[1mz-fe]

my condolences to your eagle. i wish i knew where you could get a cheap engine for that sucker.

too bad a rebuild kit isn't widely available like they are for other cars (namely chevy and ford 302, 305, 351, 350, etc) because that'd be an easy and CHEAP way to get yourself a pretty fresh engine. plus it'd be a wicked learning experience. you'd know every little sound and every nuance of the complex 3.5.

again, my sympathies are with you in this time of sadness.

 

[Wildcat]

I'm not that confident in my skills to rebuild it myself, changing belts, alternators, starters, yes...but an engine tear down...I don't think so.

I WANT a 300M but dont want the payment attached to one. Id get a used 2nd gen trep, but dont want the 2.7 and thats all they seem to have around here...

 

[DMAG]

Heck, if your'e gonna junk it, I'll give you a couple hundred for it.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Aren't Eagles collectors items now, since they no longer make them

 

[Wildcat]

I might not be leaving the LH family just yet.

I found a really nice '97 trep sport, black on black 3.5L, 60K, 100K B to B extended warranty.

Honestly i don't know if I want another 1st gen after this or not. I love the car but it has cost me quite a bit over the years, and still have some repairs on credit cards i have yet to pay off.

 

[Bart]

Wow, I didn't think interference engines were that common... would anyone happen to know if any of the 2nd gen engines are interference? Just to make sure I'm thinking on the same level, interference is where the valve actually dips into the combustion chamber when it's open and can get crushed by the cylinder if the timing is off, right?

 

[1mz-fe]

my 97 sport 3.5 just turned 60k tuesday and it is strong as ever. 97 was a real good year for dodge, my dad's 360 ram has never had a major problem, nor has my car.

 

[Wildcat]

Your description of an interference motor is correct, Bart. Unfortunetly they are not as uncommon as you would think.

Its a pretty stupid concept if you ask me. They say it isnt a problem as long as you chnage your timing belt when supposed too, but I did that around 30,000 mi ago.

I think the new 2.7/3.2/3.5s all use a timing chain, so even if its an interference engine, its a lot less of a problem for you guys...

 

[jhrody]

only a 6 year old car...if you like it, sink the money into it

 

[Si]

Hey Wild,

Sorry to hear about your Eagle Try
and stick to Chrysler/Dodge etc on youre
next purchase! Like said above, its ashame about totally getting rid of the Eagle, the bodywork does look emaculate..

Good luck finding another ride mate!

 

[Wildcat]

Well my mechianic just called... The Eagle Lives another day..

He put the new tensioner, timing belt, water pump in, did a compression test and amazingly enough everything is ok.

His guess is even though the engine is classified as interference by chrysler, the must not be major valve intrusion into the chamber, or I was very very very very lucky.

Either way crisis averted. Ive never been so happy to spend $800 on repairs before in my life...

 

[Lafrad]

YESS! Tell him, he da man!. I had a timing CHAIN go on my on the last car i drove. (Olds Calais) Bent EVERY valve, EVERY Pushrod, and screwed up 2 valve guides. it also threw about 12 aluminum gear teeth into the oil pan and screwed up the oil pump. and I fixed it. So when I got my trep, it had 90K on it already. I asked a local mechanic if the 3.5 was an interferance engine, and he said, no its not, he fixed broken timing belts before. He also said generally they don't belt drive interference engines.
and I do know one thing, the 2nd gen 3.5 is basically the same Block/Heads as the 1st gen 3.5, just out of aluminum (and a few water passage differences), so it is belt drivin too.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

What luck Wildcat Welcome back

 

[Si]

Thank lordy! Chryslers... tough as nails!
Real pleased ya back in the Driving seat Wild..

 

[DMAG]

Yessssiiiirrrr!!!!!

 

[Wildcat]

After nearly a week in hell driving the gutless wonder that is my mom's 93 2.0L Cavalier, it REALLY makes me apprecate my car again..
It was like driving around in a shopping cart. Cramped as hell, no suspension to speak of and the pick-up of a riding mower.
I ****ING HATE THESE CARS. A curse on anyone involved at GM in thier creation. Ive driven both generations of Neons and they are lightyears ahead of these pieces of crap. Id even take a Escort long before a damn Cav.

Did I mention I hate Cavaliers?

I have trying to get her into a 99ish Malibu or Stratus, she wants a PT but is too cheap to get one.