Hi,

I have a 95 Avenger with 2.5l V6 91,000 miles. Driving home from work I got a buring smell in the car. I stopped and opened the hood and there was smoke coming out of the timing belt cover just to the right of the valve cover on the passenger side. Nothinig sounded funny, the car was running fine no check engine light. I shut the car off and waited for the smoke to subside. I had a short distance to my house, started the car, started fine, drove home no overheating, no hesitation, no check engine light, everything seems normal. No more smoke but a slight buring smell. Got out at home and listed more intently and there seems to be a pinging sound coming from under the cover. This morning went out and started the car, no problems still the slight pinging sound. I had the wife take me to work today. I would expect that if I lost the timing belt the car would run poorly or not at all. I plan on getting the haynes book tonight but I have not done any work on this partiular vehicle so I am not very familar with it (unlike my grand cravan, kia and Isuzu Trooper) any suggestions would be greatly appricated.

Matt

 

I'd bet you lost the tensioner bearing ... if thats gone it'll slice the belt soon ... DO NOT risk running driving it until you look at things these are zero clearance motors if you skip more then 2 teeth the motor will be destroyed ... [:@]

 

Thanks for the quick reply!!! No it is parked untill I can look at it. I was playing with fire by driving it home an d I knew it when I did it:P The car is still running fine, like nothing is wrong so I am assuming it has not jumped any teeth. I expect to get some time to look at this weekend. I will post with an update as soon as I figure out what is going on. I looked at your sticky on timing belt repacement and I looks like a job, but not too bad and I get a new water pump out of the deal as well.

Thanks again

Matt

 

As preventive measure order a tensioner too even if it looks ok ... Those go out and can roast the entire job ...

 

I'd recommend replacing hydrolic unit while you are at it! I got mine at Mitsu dealer, was cheaper there, the same unit. Water pump came from AutoZone I believe, they had a good price on it! and yes, I agree with BV, you don't want to jump a teeth or two in interference engines!

 

So I pulled the belt and found that the water pump was bad, almost siezed, and the idler pully was frozen. There was melted belt all over but it never jumped a tooth. I have a feeling I was very lucky. I Have it all back together, just trying to get the tensioner in the proper position without having to go purchase the tensioning tool. I hope to start it tonight and see how I did. I have run it through 2 full revolutions of the crank and everything lines up properly so I am sureI am good to go.

Matt

 

I've got the write up on the timing belt job ...The tensioner I've positioned it on the bench and used a round punch to lock it in, then pull it out

 

Well, I got it back together and its running fine. Replaced the thermostat while I was at it. Anyway, I have heat about 2/10ths of a mile form my house instead of 2 miles now, which is nice. I am expecting to see improved gas mileage as well.

It took a little longer than I had originally expected but over all not too difficult a job. Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Matt