I will be making a trip to Mexico in a 2001 Dodge Caravan. The van has 82000 miles on it. The trip will be about 5000-6000 miles. Thats including the ride there, and the ride back. I am kind of worried though because the timing belt has never been changed. Should I, or is it neccesary to change it, or will my van hold up?
I have checked all the fluids, and changed all the tires, got it alligned, and you know, all the stuff they offer when you change your tires.
Suggestions?
2006-12-14 17:44:57 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If this was my trip I would change the timing belt and the water pump. The pump is driven by the timing belt and also get the crank shaft & cam shaft seals changed as well. It's cheaper to do all this work while it's torn down. The mileage to change timing belts safely is around 70,000 miles. Then you lessen your chance of break down.
2006-12-15 02:33:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a few customers with Caravans and there are 4 engines offered for that year. Only one has a timing belt, which is the 2.4L, and the others do not. The normal service intervals for the 2.4L timing belt replacement is 120K miles so I would probably change it at 100K to be safe. I can't imagine a Caravan in the severe duty category so you should do what you did in checking your fluids, tire pressures, tires, brakes, etc and enjoy your trip. If you have any of the V6s, There is no need to even think about a timing belt. One of my customers has 153K on their 01 Caravan, with the 3.3L V6. It has never even had the plugs replaced and idles rock steady.
2006-12-14 20:28:44 · answer #2 · answered by Marc87GN 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
AT 80,000 MILES, YOUR VAN SOUNDS LIKE AN EXCELLENT CANDIDATE FOR A TIMING BELT CHANGE. THEY SHOULD BE DONE EVERY 80,000 OR SO. THIS IS ACTUALLY PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. IF THE TIMING BELT DOES GO, IT RELEASES THE PRESSURE HOLDING THE VALVES IN PLACE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE VALVES TO FALL INTO THE ENGINE, ALLOWING FOR BENT VALVES, OR EVEN WORSE BUSTING THE HEAD AND PROBABLY THE BLOCK TOO. SO A COUPLE OF HUNDRED BUCKS STARTS TO SOUND PRETTY GOOD COMPARED TO 1,000'S FOR A COMPLETE NEW ENGINE.
2006-12-14 17:54:58 · answer #3 · answered by BOOMBOOMBILLY 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was told my Nissan Frontier needs a timing belt change ?, what is the lowest cost to replace?
2015-04-02 07:28:12 · answer #4 · answered by lytesdelite 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you should have it changed. IF the gaps between the belt ribs are longer than two inches it needs to be replaced
2006-12-14 23:26:24 · answer #5 · answered by Nathanael S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you can visually inspect the belt, check for cracks or missing teeth on it, if so you should replace it.for piece of mind you should replace it as well as your tensioner-bearing.if the belt or tensioner fails it will be an expensive rebuild on your engine.hope i have helped you , regards risole australia
2006-12-14 17:57:42 · answer #6 · answered by jason r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just look at the belt if it's showing wear and tear then have it replaced.
2006-12-14 17:49:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋