The car stopped running and won't start. I'm getting no spark. I swapped the relays and checked the fuses. I'm leaning toward the distributor, or have I forgot something?

 

Distributor. Just replaced one in my 2000 Stratus.

 

Ok distributor got it running. What a PITA!! But now it knocks when you give it gas. Starts ok, and idles ok. Maybe the timing is off...

 

I bet two wires were crossed. Check #2 and #4. Just did the same thing on my 2000 V6. Can't say 2.5l because mine has a 3.0l from an Eclipse! ;-)

 

Thanks for the idea StratusMank. I checked and they are right. Could the distributor going bad make it jump time? And if it was timing, wouldn't it make a knocking noise all the time not just under load?

 

No. Distributor would not make it jump time. Run the motor and check the plugs to see if any of them are wet. Attached is the plug wire diagram. Notice how #4 and #2 are located. When I crossed my wires, the motor knocked.

 

Another thing, did the plug wires have numbers on them? Two wires could be crossed as well. From longest to shortest, the sequence is 2,1,4,3,6,5.

 

I didn't think so. I went back and checked the plug wires, they are good.

Idling its fine, if I give it gas slowly it;s good. If I give it gas fast I hear it. I've narrowed it to the front of the engine. Maybe the timing belt slapping?

 

Check the tranny fluid level.

 

Man I hate this engine!

So I ordered a timing belt/water pump kit on ebay. Apparently I didn't get the surface cleaned as well I as thought and the water pump leaked.

So I removed everything again to clean the water pump housing better. In the process it kinda messed up the water pump gasket so I used gasket maker instead. I got everything put back together and let it idle for 15 min or so. I drove it down the street and when I returned i have water spraying out the top where the water pump bolts. I guess the gasket maker didn't hold.

Now I CAN NOT find just the water pump gasket A-N-Y-W-H-E-R-E!!!!!!! I circled the one I need but cannot find, everybody has the one below it.

I have called Dodge AND Mitsubishi and they both only show the bottom gasket.

Why can't I find this gasket??