[JohnLam2002]

Hi, does anyone no how many hours it takes to R&R a timing belt for a 3.5L (1993) It just broke & I was thinking about doing it myself on the driveway. thnx
Oh yeah, everytime I attempt to search the archives I get an "Internal Server error" is it me or are the search archives down?
thnx,
John L Philly PA

 

[1mz-fe]

the server does that most of the time. we're trying to get it fixed. in regards to fixing that timing belt, here's the deal....you can do it yourself, but you want to do some other service to the car while you have the front end torn down. first you want to get the waterpump because those are liable to give out anywhere from 70-100k miles. second there are some O-rings nobody really talks about down behind the waterpump that you should change while you're down there (takes an extra 15 minutes or so). also when you change the belt, go ahead and get a new tensioner too, those have a tendency to fail at high mileage too. i would assume a weekend with good weather would be sufficient to do this job. advice - a chilton's or haynes manual is indispensable in this chore...they walk you right through it.

personally, i had this service done for me by the dodge dealer when my car was in for 60k mile service. i woulda done it myself but my dad's company paid for them to do it so i let them . i think it cost about $550 including parts and labor.

hope you get back on the road soon.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

As far as the search, it's not working reliable and I haven't been able to fix it.

To help improve your search reliability, I recommend only searching one forum at a time. Seems to work better that way.

If you search all forums, it almost never works.

Sorry

 

[Valhalla 21340]

hey john L 3.5....i did this job over december myself...platinum is right about the waterpump, if youre going to swap the belts, get a new pump. mainly because when those things go, they can basically take out the valvetrain with them...also, while haynes and chiltons manuals are alright, they can be real vague at times...i suggest when you go to a dealer and get the belt (go mopar, dont get imitations)...ask them to copy the procedure for the job from their shop manual...MUCH more extensive explanation, even has troubleshooting (in cases like mine where the g'damn tensioner bolt was missing...)
anyways, be patient, and make damn well sure you align all of the cam sprockets in the right place......

i think the job (altogether) was just a few hours...though, i get distracted easily, so i was taking many breaks to chase shadows and pee in the yard like a dog....it EVERYTHIGN is smooth, the job shouldnt be more than a few hours...of course, nothigns easy so dont make any big plans that involve the car (just in case)

[ February 14, 2002: Message edited by: Valhalla 21340 ]

 

[FredB]

Go to : www.allpar.com/fix/timingbelt3.5.html
Great instructions for driveway mechanics.

FredB

 

[1mz-fe]

correct link

http://www.allpar.com/fix/timingbelt35.html:

 

[gr8crash]

johnL, where in Philly are you? I am in NE philly area. o yea i had to change my login name back to my original, i couldn't log on as Aaronl i had to go back to this o well, lol