I just loaded up the trunk for a weekend away and started my trip. About a mile from town, going about 80 kms per hour, the engine just quit. I coasted to the roadside and reattempted to start it. I have power everywhere but the engine won't refire. The fuel pump hums when the ignition is engaged, so I know that is ok. I'm thinking,the problem is the timing belt just let go. I'm not a mechanic, however I am in the auto parts business and am somewhat knowledgable about cars. I'm hoping it isn't the timing belt, but what else could cause this? The check engine light came on when this happened, but as it won't start agan, I cann't tell if the light stays on. There are 200,00 kms on the car and I just bought it a couple of months ago, so I don't know if the timing belt has ever been replaced in it. It's worked like a new car up until this happened today. I have also checked all the fuses under the hood. They are all ok. Any ideas?

 

You can remove the covers and check the timing belt. The problem comes when the belt lets go at speed. The valve train gets out of synch with the pistons and can cause havoc.
Better get it looked at.

 

Thanks. I kind of figured that's what happened but was hoping for something else. I had it towed to my local garage today and will have it looked at on Tuesday. I'll follow up with an update as soon as I know what damage, if any, to the heads.

 

Is the belt going bad something that can either be diagnosed early or else inexpensively prevented by putting on a new belt? My 2001 is getting on in years and I'd like to at least try to have it not die unexpectedly. It runs great now, but it has 206,000 miles on it and could go at any moment.

MRR

 

The timing belt should be replaced before it breaks, and if yours has 200,000 miles on it, it's time to replace it. The 2.7 L V-6 has a timing chain that is less likely to break than a belt.

 

I know this is an old thread (new guy doing some reading) but you say that it causes havoc...like piston meets valve havoc?

I've been lead to believe that the 2.4 is a NON-interference engine so the valves and pistons don't occupy the same space like in the Chrysler and Dodge 2.0 cars.

 

Shop manual advises:

"Camshaft should not be rotated after timing belt is removed. Damage to valve components may occur."

Draw your own conclusions from that.

 

Hey,

I was wondering about that too -- is there any definitive take on whether the 2.4 is an interference engine?

Thanks,
JD

 

u have a 50 50 shot of damaging valves or not