Changing Timing Belt 02 2.4L

[pmartinez123]

I was wondering if it is possible to change the timing belt on my 2002 stratus without removing the engine. Any links or information on doing this would be appreciated

[rhandwor]

Buy a Haynes manual it shows some pictures and tells how to do it. Normally you have to block up the engine so it is supported to remove the front motor mount. Auto Zone or Advanced will loan you some tools. You will need a good 1/2 inch.,3/8inch.,and 1/4 inch socket set. You will need to pull the harmonic balancer pulley. Without an impact you will need to pull the cover so you can block it around the torque converter or flywheel. This will allow you to lossen the nut for the harmonic balancer. This is a real hard job without decent tools.

[dsramprat]

It is a hard job because of the limited space you have to work in. Just like rhandwor said, you will need to remove the front motor mount and the harmonic balancer to remove the timing cover. It is possible to do without dropping the engine, but is time consuming. I have done it with my hand tools, but I did have to invest in at least a harmonic balancer puller, because that is pressed on to the crankshaft. Just a thought, if you do decide to do this, while you are in there, you might want to think about giving the water pump a thorough inspection for leaks, or anything else that might be wrong with it since it is under the timing cover and turned by the timing belt. Personally, when I was in there, I changed it with a lifetime warranty part to save me headaches later on.

[ndancosse]

your saying i need to pull cover to block torque converter or flywheel ...im not sure which cover youre referring to as im doing same job as this person ...please help ...i gotta get that balancer off and that bolt is the issue

[rhandwor]

Without an impact you can either use a big chain wrench Snap-on and mack tools sell one. OTC makes a tool with pins in it to hold the flywheel. Ebay under OTC tools has them. http://www.ntxtools.com/ sells them.
They also make a tool with a big tip like a screwdriver with a strap on it to grip the flywheel teeth. In the back of the engine between the engine and the transmission on the bottom their should be a plate covering the torque converter bolts. With the cover off you can use a large screwdriver between the teeth and the case to hold the flywheel steady while you remove the front bolt for the harmonic balancer.
Otherwise try to borrow the tools you need at Advance or Auto Zone maybe Napa auto parts. All three sell some tools.
http://www.matcotools.com/ also sell tools.

[dsramprat]

You can either remove the dust cover they were talking about above, or you can remove the starter and wedge a screwdiver in the teeth of the flywheel or torque converter. Taking the dust cover off is easier that removing the starter. If you have trouble doing it that way you can buy the tools, but I have never had a problem doing it with the screwdriver. You might need a second pair of hands to help you, but it is possible to do by yourself if you wedge the screwdriver in there just right.