camarotoolman
Banned
Is it a good idea for a guy with limited exspience try to change a timing belt in a dodge P T cruiser? I can read the manual and have the tools. 
p T timing belt
- Thread starter camarotoolman
- Start date
gmein
Active member
It's gonna be like anything else, you will learn as you go. Maybe find someone who is more inclined than yourself to watch by and aid you or let him help. Pay attention to the manual closely and when in doubt, read it again. I would not say that it would be a snap. Ya know some people don't know which way the threads should be turned to tighten or loosen. Use a camera, ziploc bags and a few notes to catalog the bolts and hardware, many a people can pull things apart yet not get them back together. And do not forget, you are dealing with the timing here. Do not move either the camshaft pulley or the crankshaft pulley or it will be out of timing. There are ways to assure you can get it back, but that takes a little more skill than you are claiming to have. Take it slow, be patient with all the plastic parts and electrical connectors, don't break anything, keep your cool, a lotta windshields have had ratchets and hammers thrown through them. Happy motoring
Iroc-Z
Well-known member
IMO A pt cruiser is not a good one to learn on for a first timer. I believe its like a 7-7.5 hour book time job. Not allot of room. If you are going to attempt it be sure you allot enough time so you don't have to rush.
Sweet Old Bill
Well-known member
This is a tough job if you have limited experience. Most shops charge about $1,300 to do this job. As stated above, while having the engine bay all apart, change the water pump & idler pulley. The PT is guidelines call for a change of the timing belt, water pump, & idler pulley at 105,000 miles or every six years, whichever comes first.
Check on web sites: PT forum, PT Crew, etc. for articles & tool lists. Again, as said above, be very careful about moving the camshafts, if the timing is off, the job is even more difficult. You may be able to find the needed Shop Manual pages at PTCrew.com.
The front motor mount is a bear getting out. You should have a seperate floor jack to help support the motor, you will try your patience, allow plenty of time for the project. If you can enlist a mechanically inclined friend to assist, that would help. Good Luck.
Check on web sites: PT forum, PT Crew, etc. for articles & tool lists. Again, as said above, be very careful about moving the camshafts, if the timing is off, the job is even more difficult. You may be able to find the needed Shop Manual pages at PTCrew.com.
The front motor mount is a bear getting out. You should have a seperate floor jack to help support the motor, you will try your patience, allow plenty of time for the project. If you can enlist a mechanically inclined friend to assist, that would help. Good Luck.
Reg1952
Well-known member
Yep these ones are tight.Not the best one to learn on. And yes moving that A/C line out of the way means draining the system.Wouldnt recommend this one to a newbe.Also need special puller to pull crank pulley.Locial rental shops wont have this one.
Brentocool
Well-known member
Bail
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
You don't say, I assume this is the 2.4L engine (not sure if they even installed the 2.0L in the PT.)
I have done the 2.0L in a Breeze (Cirrus/Stratus) and recall that the factory manual makes the 2.4 look real similar. On the 2.0L the puller for the crank pulley is a standard 3 jaw puller that catches on flats on the backside of the three spokes of the pulley. The installer (again on the 2.0L) is nothing more than a 12" or so long piece of 12mm x 1.25 threaded rod I bought from Fastenal. I jammed two nuts together on the end to use with a wrench to keep it from turning, and another nut, with a couple of greased washers to use to push the pulley on the crank.
The Breeze is tight with the single cam engine, I can imagine the smaller PT with the twin cam engine is even worse.
I always told myself if someone wanted me to do the timing belt/water pump on this engine/car, I'd charge at least a thousand dollars.
Charles
I have done the 2.0L in a Breeze (Cirrus/Stratus) and recall that the factory manual makes the 2.4 look real similar. On the 2.0L the puller for the crank pulley is a standard 3 jaw puller that catches on flats on the backside of the three spokes of the pulley. The installer (again on the 2.0L) is nothing more than a 12" or so long piece of 12mm x 1.25 threaded rod I bought from Fastenal. I jammed two nuts together on the end to use with a wrench to keep it from turning, and another nut, with a couple of greased washers to use to push the pulley on the crank.
The Breeze is tight with the single cam engine, I can imagine the smaller PT with the twin cam engine is even worse.
I always told myself if someone wanted me to do the timing belt/water pump on this engine/car, I'd charge at least a thousand dollars.
Charles
MattPersman
Well-known member
if its your only car or someones they rely on to get to work on monday I would say no. take it somewhere. there are guys that can do them quickly, especially if you are just doing a broken belt and not worrying about the water pump
OP
camarotoolman
Banned
Yes, I want to change to w. pump too. I've heard its hard to do because everything is so cramped. I'm lucky, I have a retired pro in my hood that doesn't charge like a regular shop, also I can just pull stuff over with a chain.
OP
camarotoolman
Banned
Thanks for all your excellent comments, I would be way over my head on this one, + its the wifes daily driver.
OP
camarotoolman
Banned
Your're lucky, buy some lottery tickets! w ith my luck, it will brake tonight and ruin the motor.
It isn't a standard 3 jaw puller. This is what is needed to do the job right.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SP101A12213S3876403401P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
You can loan it out for free at autozone.
If you got it off with a standard 3 jaw puller you are my hero.
jethro29
Well-known member
hell no,this is not the one to start on.very tight,very cramped,need special tools,helps a lot to take the passenger side headlight out. but seriously being a professional auto tech and having done about nine of these jobs so far.i can tell you that it ***** and i would not wish it on anyone,especially an in-experienced person.
OP
camarotoolman
Banned
Thanks for the input, I'm droping it off at my mech. tonight. I hope he does a good job.
Everthing everyone has told you about changing a belt on a PT Cruiser is true. I did one several months ago. Thank goodness I had a lift and a floor jack to move things up and down. I ended up removing the grill so I could get to some items. I believe they built a Cruiser by starting with a timing belt.