Is this mechanic bsing me about my timing belt?

Question

I took in my '95 Chrysler Concorde because I noticed wet antifreeze spots on the driveway after pulling in. It has 110,000 miles on it. They told me that my water pump is leaking, the overfow tube on the radiator is leaking, and that my timing belt is "bad."

I know that these things will have to be replaced. They told me that if the timing belt were to break it would bend valves and my engine would be destroyed. Is that true about the engine? Other people are telling me it is a lie.

Other folks say that if the timing belt breaks the car just stops running. That there would be no engine damage.

I have an interference engine

3.5 Liter, 24-valve engine on this one

Answer 1

It is absolutely true. The concorde has what is called an "interference" engine. That means that if the timing belt breaks, the valves will interfere with the pistons. I am not making this up. Serious engine damage will occur. Recommended service interval is 60,000 on the timing belt. Stop neglecting your car and it will run a long time. Good Luck

Answer 2

Don't sweat the timing belts replacement! It is just common sense to replace it on a high mileage engine when replacing the water pump as the labor is the same! Which is better: to replace the pump and 2 weeks? 1 month? 6 months later have to spend the same amount of money on labor to replace the timing belt? All the info I have I cannot tell if either engine that year is an "interference" engine. Interference= valves hit pistons when the belt breaks. The timing belt is only $100 list from the dealer. Labor for the job (water pump and/or belt) is the same at aprox 4 hrs. If the labor rate in your area is $65 /hr. You are trying to save $100 while spending $260 on labor that you very well might have to spend again in the near future? Doesn't make sense. The belt, since it runs the water pump and could very easily be getting coolant soaked by your coolant leak, should be replaced at the same time as replacing the pump unless you know it was just recently replaced and has not been damaged by the leaking coolant!

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Answer 3

Listen to him on this one. You replace the water pump anway when replacing a timing belt, and vice versa.

Timing belts need to be replaced every 60,000 miles or every 5 or 6 years. For the $50 it costs to replace a waterpum, you do it every time you have your timing belt replaced, because it's right there.

On interference engines they CAN bend valves and ruin your engine, dont know if the concorde has one of those engines or not, but it's possible. If it's not an interference engine, it will simply stop like other people said, but you dont want it to get to that point either, because then you're at the mercy of a tow truck driver.

Answer 4

Yes, its probably about time to replace that timing belt. The cost of having it replaced is far cheaper than replacing an engine. Since the engine in your van is an interference engine if the timing belt breaks it will bend or break valves, lifters, etc. It really wouldn't destroy the engine but it sure won't run until the bent or broken valves and other damaged parts are replaced.

Answer 5

All engines are designed differently. I do believe that these vehicles have an "interferance" engine, where if the vehicle is not in time, the pistons will hit the valves and damage thier seating. I work in a garage and have see what has been the outcome of what happens when a timing belt brakes. None have been cheap and none have been worth repairing. I would have the timing belt replaced before you're looking for a vehicle replacment.

Answer 6

He is close to the truth. If the water pump goes and locks up it will destroy the timing belt, as the belt drives the water pump. The engine will be dead in the water. It didn't destroy any valves or anything but it did leave me sranded in the TN mountains for a few hours. But that's another story.

My water pump was leaking and it went low on fluid and I was in the mountains and it went downhill from there. Had about 47K on the engine. So you are way ahead of me.

So, it will not bend valves, at least on the 3.5L 24 valve engine it didn't, but other than that get it fixed belt and all.

Answer 7

You don't say what engine yo have. If it is a 4-cylinder, the belt is past due for replacement.
AS A RULE— The belt won't break while you are driving it. It will break when you try to start it, and yes, it can cause valve damage.
If there is coolant and oil contamination, the risk of failure increases.
If the engine is a V-6, most of them in the Concord didn't use a belt, they used a chain, and they have their own issues.
I would certainly listen to the mechanic, and if you get the sense that he is trying to get over on you, seek another opinion.

Answer 8

Its best to have timing belt changed too because the timing cover has to be removed to get to the water pump with an interference engine its good to have it changed ever so often because if it breaks you could bend valves. Its cheaper to pay for a timing belt ,water pump and labor than to have to buy that many valves. I have a interference motor also had timing belt, water pump replace because it jumped timing luckily didn't bend any valves. They would have cost me $250.00 alone then would have had to pay someone to take the head off and install, that would had killed my pockets. Paid a mechanic $165.00 to change belt and water pump car is like new.

Answer 9

Honey, your timing belt is what runs the timing in your engine. Yes, if your timing belt breaks, it can and probably will damage the hell outta your engine. It was suppose to have been changed at 60,000 miles or so. Besides, while he has the water pump off already, may as well replace bad timing belt, it's easy as hell to get to then. To have timing belt changed seperately will cost more, because they'll have to take parts off, including water pump, to get to it=more money spent unneccesarily. Get it changed. Spend a little more now, or a whole lot later.

Answer 10

Most cars would probably need a new timing belt with such high mileage. If it indeed were to break then the engine would certainly suffer serious damage. To be sure google timing belt and do a little research. I'm not a mechanic but been driving for 34 years and had timing belt replaced on 2 cars with high mileage.