One thing you need to keep in mind and watch for. When some cars break a timing belt, it also can cause internal damage to your car, like a broken valve.
There are 2 types of engines and they are called %26quot;Interference%26quot; and %26quot;Non-interference%26quot;. An engine designated as an %26quot;Interference%26quot; engine, there is not sufficient clearance between some engine parts, so when the timing belt brakes, you can usually expect internal problems as well.
Here is a list of engine that ARE Interference engines to see if yours is listed: 2.0 DOHC (Double Over-Head Cam), 2.4 SOHC and DHOC, 2.5 V-6, 3.0 DOHC and 3.2 DOHC. If you have one of those engines, expect internal damage.
Should your engine have to be removed to replace the timing belt, it will cost you around $1,000. Hard to quote a price from different states. If you have internal damage, it could mean a new engine.
If you have a Non-interference engine and you are able to replace it yourself, yest, replace the Water Pump. If I had the engine out, I probably would also change the oil pump. An oil pump that goes out down the highway will ruin your engine before you can get stopped.
If the engine has to be pulled and you take it to a dealer, and you have a Non-interference engine, let him know that you are aware of what you are talking about. Don't want him to feed you garbage.How do you change a timing belt on a 2001 dodge stratus?The chrysler 2.4 DOHC motor isn't an interference motor. Not sure if the SOHC 2.4, 2.7, or SOHC 3.0 used in stratus' are.
I would change the waterpump along with the timing belt tensioner.
For example, I swapped a 96 Stratus 2.4 motor into my neon. The motor had 36k and prone to failure headgasket. So I installed an updated headgasket. A year later, I had to replace the waterpump. It would have been alot easier had I done it while the motor was still on the stand.
Here is a good link on the best timing belt tensioner for the Chrysler I4 motors. http://forums.neons.org/viewtopic.php?f=
I know money can be tight for people. This is one of those times that being cheap can cost you more in the long run.
This job is tough. You need a strong puller for the crank pulley. Probably need some heat to help. To help time the motor, make a tool to lock the cams in place. There are holes in the cam just for this.
In my neon, it would have been faster and easier to remove the motor. But I'm experienced enough to have the motor out/in of the car within a few hours.