Timing Belt

[karfreek]

Is the 3.5L an interference engine? IE: if the timing belt goes do you risk taking out valves? My wifes Pacifica has the 3.5L in it.

Jay

[MagNite]

Yes, it is. The service manual for our LX's says to change it at 105,000 miles, but I think I'm going to do mine soon. I'm almost at 80K. May as well do the water pump while it's apart also.

[tt_dexter]

Yes, it can get REAL expensive if you strip the belt. I went 120k mi. without problems on mine but I don't recommend it. Whether you do it yourself or have someone else do it, you should factor in a few other items when figuring cost.
1. Timing Belt
2. Water Pump
3. Timing Belt tensioner pully kit
4. Serpentine accessory belt and tensioner
5. Antifreeze
6. Upper and lower radiator hoses - mine seemed ok but I figured I was into it pretty deep at that point so, what the heck.

If you elect to do it yourself there are a couple of helpful threads here and I'd be happy to let you know how it worked for me.

[mrriverajr]

i gotta do mine too, is it easy?

[donatello79]

I just did my 05 magnum with a friend of mine. Replaced timing belt, water pump, tensioner pulley, upper and lower radiator hose. Total time if you take the beer drinking and screwing around out of the equation was probably 4 hours. I did not take the valve covers off or remove rocker arm assembly like the manual said. I pulled the fan assembly out, then went to town. The key thing you need is the right puller to pull the crankshaft pulley, and a longer bolt for that pulley to suck down the pulley back on to the crank. I had 114k on my car. One other thing. If you can, lube the pulley that is on the timing cover. Mine was in desperate need.