I'm trying to get my daughter's car fixed up to the point that it will be reliable and serve her well for a few more years. It's a 1999 Grand Caravan, 3.0L engine, 123,000 miles. The last item on my list is the timing belt - I had previously thought this model had a chain, but was told by my mechanic that it's in fact a belt.

I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but I'll ask anyway: Is it worth spending $500+ to go ahead and get this (and the water pump) replaced?

Thanks in advance for any and all wisdom/advice/opinions.

 

I changed the timing belt and water pump on my 3.0. Done this for I had a burn valve,Ex..
My Eng. had 147K miles. The timing belt was in very good shape and the water pump could of stayed on.
My 2c. Leave will enough alone.
You can check the timing belt out by removing the top half cover. Front head.
These belt's are tough.

 

Minor update - I just heard from my mechanic, and they want $878 to replace the belt and water pump. Says it's a Mitsubishi engine, and is very difficult to work on. Seems a bit steep, and I may save a couple hundred by taking it somewhere else, but I love these guys, and after some bad experiences elsewhere, it's worth spending a bit more to be certain the work is done right.

For that price, though, I'm inclined to just take a chance on it holding up. If it breaks, the engine is toast, and it'll be car-shopping time, I guess.

 

Thanks, BNTune, that's reassuring.

 

If belt does brake it will not damage the eng. The piston wont hit the valve.

 

I just replaced a busted timing belt on a '98 with 134K miles. Previous poster is correct it will not damage the engine if it does break so you could take your chances.

 

Timing belt is one item as others. Some last forever and other go out.
As I posted before,it is very EZ to check the timing belt evenwhile running with the front cam cover removed. No cracks,missing tooth and slite tears good last many more miles.
When your belt broke,any weard signs,noise just before it went?

 

As some of you may remember, mine broke on my 97 3.0 last winter. I think it was at about 175,000 miles. No warning, no strange noises, just broke. It cost me around 500 for labor and towing. Mine is a Chrysler motor, not a Mitsu. I did have to go buy the parts, belt, water pump, and a pipe that was rusted through, altogether about 150. So, 650 total was what I spent. Nothing was damaged when it broke. It did take my mechanic nearly a week to repair, with his other customers needing help, and the sheer complexity of the replacement. Definitely wasn't something I would have undertaken myself. 'Bout the only thing though!

 

Mine is a Chrysler motor, not a Mitsu.
And it's a 3.0? I don't get it[sm=dontgetit.gif][sm=feedback.gif]

 

It says Chrysler on the intake, but the engine is built by Mitsubishi. I would replace the tbelt at least, the recommended interval is around 90000 miles.