97 Dodge Caravan 3.0V6 timing belt

[t4ia]

Is there any way to find out the condition of the timing belt on this van. You know without actually getting it replaced and opening it up all the way. Could the mechanic be able to tell if the timing belt needs to be replaced and what condition its in? I recently bought it and I dont know if/when the timing belt of this van was changed, neither does the last owner who had it for a little time.

Thanks.

[evictor]

There is now way without looking at it. If you are going to look at it you might as well change it because the time and expense involved is all related to getting access to it. If you have less than 80,000 probably not worth looking at. If more then that and you have the money, it does not hurt.

By the way what condition are your strut towers in?

[t4ia]

looking from outside the strut towers look ok. Havent got it checked from underneath. Will get that checked when rotating tires. Someone I know has a 98 and the strut towers are gone on that van.

BTW, what would happen if the timing belt goes. Is there a lot of damage done on these vans if that breaks? This one has 157000km (around 98000 miles) on it. How long can the timing belt lasts. I am assuming it was not changed earlier.

[t4ia]

I will get the manual. I heard some information in that is incorrect but maybe its ok for Caravan. Did you find the information correct in that manual. Are you following that for timing belt change.?

Thanks for all the info. really helpful

[yogi_123rd]

The 3.0 Liter engine is a non interference type engine. If the timing belt breaks, the pistons won't strike and damage the engine parts.

All repair books religiously will state that the timing belt should be replaced at 75-80K miles because of the potential a broken belt has at causing internal engine damage. All engines are not made like the 3.0L as the non interference type.

I've owned two caravans and put on 160K on both without replacing the belt. I've also had no problems in that area to give me cause. Usually the belt is replaced when replacing a water pump or power steering pump. If oil/antifreeze contaminates the belt, it should be replaced immediately.

[yogi_123rd]

Can't help you there. In the older caravans, the PS pump was put in a nasty place down and back on the engine. Since the caravan was redesigned in 96, I can imagine how tight it would be to work on anything on the back of the engine in the newer models.

[t4ia]

BTW, is there a transmission filter that should be replaced when changing tansmission oil ? where is that filter located on 97 caravan.

[jgillis]

On my 94 3.0
the timing belt cover is in 3 pieces and you can take the 2 top pieces of without 2 much trouble.Once you have them off you could rotate the engine and look at the belt.