bfurth Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 The timing belt on the 3.5L has a service life of 100,000 miles. It's also an interference engine (when the valves are open, they occupy the same physical space inside the cylinder that the piston will occupy at the top of the stroke), so changing it before it breaks is critical. If that timing belt breaks, you run the risk of major engine repair, if not outright replacement. There are lots of write-ups for changing the timing belt on the 3.5L/4.0L engine as the engine has been around for a while. Also, if you do change the timing belt, replace the belt tensioner and water pump while you're there. The water pump probably doesn't need to be replaced, but you've already done 90% of the work to get to it, and at the absolute most expensive for DIY, it adds $110 (plus coolant, so flush that while you've got everything disassembled) in parts if you use Mopar, or about $50 is you use Gates. If you don't replace it when you do the timing belt, you're just asking to have to do the job all over again. Rockauto.com has timing belt replacement kits (multiple manufacturers) which include the water pump and associated gaskets and seals in the $140-$180 range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcaliber81 Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 I've never had a problem with rock auto. Returns however cost money so that's a downer in the end you have to pay to ship it back and a restock fee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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