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Any mechanics out there? One of my daughters friends has an old 1993 Plymouth Sundance 2.2 hatchback, nice old car. It stopped running down the street. I pushed her home with my truck. It's getting gas. But won't start. She said it just died at the corner. What's the best way to check if the timing belt broke?

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

A 1993 probably doesn't have a timing chain.  it probably has a serpintine belt.  If the belt or the chain broke it would be clearly visible because it would be hanging down in the engine somewhere.  

Does the car turn over when you try to start it?  Does the radio come on when you turn the key on?  It could very possibly be the alternator or the starter.  However if it is the starter it wouldn't have just quit.  It wouldn't have just quit if it was the belt or the chain either unless she had been driving for a while with it broken.

Anyways, that's all I have to say on that. I am not a real mechanic just a bit mechanically inclined.    I hoped this helped somewhat.

Sharon

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Will sing or fish for food!!I'm not quite right!!

oops...wasn't speaking of a drive belt, i was speaking of the internal timing belt. Some have a timing chain, this has a timing belt. It's an internal part of the motor. Didn't mean to mislead. But wow it sounds like you are a go getter yourself auto mechanic. I think that's great that you would even know about drive belts. You must have brothers.  Thank you so much sharon.   George

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

there's a pickup plate either in or under the distributor...they're notorious for going bad.....just a possibility....especially if it starts again after it rests awhile, and the problem keeps comming and going

Pull a single spark plug and try to start engine with your finger in spark plug hole....if you feel engine sucking-blowing on the end of your finger, the belt/chain ain't broke....If it backfires, the belt/chain has slipped and needs replaced and tension adjusted and/or tensioner replaced too.....If belt/chain is broken or slipped, you may also now have bent valve/valves.

If engine has good compression and proper valve timing, then check to see if electrical ignition component has failed.

isis, get back to the kitchen and stop giving car advice .....Charmin is the only gal here who MIGHT know anything about engines .

The kids just came in and told me, that they took the distribator cap off, and when they turned the engine over, the rotor   did not go around. Doesn't that pretty much say RIP to this old car? all i do is change plugs and change oil in them.

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

IF the distributor is driven by the cam, and if cam is driven by belt/chain, then yes, the car is tits-up dead when engine will crank but distrib don't turn....and odds are it will need full valve job beside belt/chain becuase when belt/chain broke, the valves impacted tops of pistons.

40K-60K on most timing belts is max unless you like to gamble....Cams only go roundy-round but they offer very high torque loads because they have to operate many valves that open against stiff spring pressures.....So the belts take a beating.

sounds like you get to buy yourself a car for Christmas

Thanks Keith, it's not my car, it belongs to one of my daughters friends. I will pass on the bad news. She was heart broke because it went out anyway. This thig has 160,000 miles on it. So it's tired. It's in pretty decent shape, but i wouldn't put a belt in it that old, with that many miles. I will call her tomorrow and give her the bad news. Thanks keith, and everyone who helped me out.   George

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

If it has more than 90,000 miles on it chances are it's the belt Factory recommends changing at 90k most mechanics 60k. If the rotor isnt turning it is the belt. Sometimes that engine blows when the belt does.

If it has 150,000 miles on it or more I'd take it to the scrap yard.


BTW That is one car hard to keep on the road with black ice.

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As this is often true with many engine designs using a cog type timing belt, it isn't the case with the Chrysler 2.2 as it is of the noninterference design which simply means the piston and the valves won't make contact if the belt breaks. It's generally not a repair for the average weekend mechanic to tackle, but could be done with patience, good tools and a manual. Depending on your area, i would think it would be about 400 to 600 dollar repair to have a garage repair it.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

you guys are all so helpful, thanks to all of you. The young lady is crying right about now. The Plymouth Sundance she has, does look nice, but it has 160,000 on it. It's tired. I tried to tell her, she got her moneys worth out of it, sheesh, let the poor thing RIP. But all she does is bawl anyway...

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

Excuse me?

MIGHT know something?  

So forgive me if I don't bail you out the next time you call me on a weekend to diagnose your truck over the phone;)

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

I know about engines.  They are icky, greasy, really filthy, and you can burn yourself or break a nail !

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Kappy!!  We should not ever, ever speak of breaking a nail!!!  i am now cursed, they will all break off in my sleep fer sure....

I only have 1 brother but he never worked on his cars, neither did my dad.  However,  I did date a couple of shade tree mechanics..  Nothing like tearing apart an engine on a weekend.  Fun stuf!!!  But don't tell anyone because I really don't want anyone to think I am smart.......

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Will sing or fish for food!!I'm not quite right!!

Isis, didn't I tell you to get back in the kitchen? You must want a spankin

Charmin, if we ever do talk on the phone it ain't gonna be about trucks.

Sorry, too busy answering the 1 800 spank me line to be in the kitchen right now...

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Will sing or fish for food!!I'm not quite right!!

Sharon that is cute...never heard that one before.....

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

Well, what then? Horses? Motorcycles? Grandkids? (baby cows?)

Don't leave me guessing... what would we talk about?  :whistle:

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥