I have a 2001 1500 conversion van with a 5.9L and 104k miles. According to my mechanic the timing belt should be replaced, but I hate having the engine opened up when it runs so good. I would like to get some additional advice.
Thanks/Jim

 

Your mechanic should know that these engines have a timing chain. Read into that what you want.

Mine went 172,000 miles. I just replaced one with 30 k miles on it, and the new one was no tighter than the old.

I assume they use double rollers from the factory. Somebody will know for sure.

There are ways to check for timing chain slop. If you are going to replace it, replace the water pump too.

 

Personally I doubt you need a new chain right now. At 350K miles I replaced mine, now I had the van for just 20K (2 years) before that but I would not be surprised if the one I removed was original.

Yes double roller chain set up is what came from the factory.

 

I would hang him with a Cloyes from a rafter myself.

Anyone tells me I need a timing belt on any car I own (or will own for that matter) gets a one-way ticket to The People's Republic of You Are An Idiot.

 

Is it the timing belt (chain) or are we really talking about the engine serpentine belt that runs over all of the engine accessories? If it's the latter, then the job isn't too hard to swing back the tensioner pulley slip off the old belt and slide on the new one. Just make sure you have a good socket set, a 2-4ft long pipe to slip over the socket ratchet and a 2x2 (broom handle) to shim the ratchet when the pulley is pulled back.