Vehicle tips: How to change the timing belt on a Dodge Caravan

[@jeffbguarino]

To remove the crankshaft pulley big bolt , I used a 7/8 inch socket with a breaker bar. I positioned the breaker bar tight against the frame components towards the back or your left side facing the pulley. from the bottom wheel well area, not the top. Then I just turned the ignition on briefly without starting the caravan. So simple. The bolt was loose. You may hear a bang under the car as the cheater bar may bounce against the frame. You could also tie the bar in place to stop this , I did not try that. I could not use any bungee cords etc. because my pulley was sheared from the crankshaft so there was no way to grip the crankshaft extension. To get a pulley off at the parts yard, I used a piece of angle iron for shelving which had lots of holes in it , about 15 inches long and bolted it to two of the bolt holes from the outer pulley. this got wedged in place as I turned the big bolt in the middle. This would not work on my broken part on my van because the pulley was sheared loose. I just had to replace the sprocket but could not get it out without removing the timing belt because there is a lip on the back edge of the sprocket. At the parts yard , I just cut the timing belt and pulled out the sprocket easily.

[@BruniFamilyTV]

That is awesome. I will have to remember it if I run into a similar situation. Thanks for sharing.

[@jeffbguarino]

​@@BruniFamilyTV I got the method from Scotty KIlmer kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXiQkpd7i8-Zjas

[@JCnordic2983]

More informative than the dodge shop manual B!

[@BruniFamilyTV]

Thanks Jerry

[@poeticpoems1234]

What a cool video. I have exact van you just repaired. Cleaned map sensor now engine cramks but wont start. Had a leaky hose but replaced that. Dont know why it wont start since cleaning map sensor. No engine light, no cash🤔in case youre still out there..

[@BruniFamilyTV]

Weird. Maybe you damaged the MAP sensor? Try taking the sensor out completely (disconnect hoses and wires, everything) and try to start it. I once had a MAP sensor fail on one of my vans and the engine would turn over and start but immediately die. It wouldn't run. I took out the MAP sensor and it ran but it ran really rough. So I went to the scrap yard and got another sensor. If it is the sensor go look for a scrap yard, don't bother with a new one. If you have no cash then find something to trade, scrap copper, aluminum etc. Let me know how it goes.

[@poeticpoems1234]

Bruni Family TV Thanks so much! I have the 32 buks for the sensor, just not the $ for mechanics. Just a grandma thats paid attention over time and can do some basic car repairs myself😊thanks so much! Grandma's subbin this channel!👍

[@BruniFamilyTV]

@@poeticpoems1234 thanks. I think you would be able to take the map sensor out yourself. It is only one bolt or 2 screws and unplug the hoses.

[@poeticpoems1234]

Bruni Family TV Yes I can. I removed that one to clean suspecting it might be faulty after changing out egr valve. Had my 15star bits and all😊 I've done ok over the years changing out alternators and the likes. But I'm older and dont do much of that anymore. Been fortunate not to have major issues due to all my preventive maintenance. Waiting for the part, and will let you know how it goes! Thanx again! I love this car and plan on holding on to it.

[@BruniFamilyTV]

@@poeticpoems1234 nice, you're way ahead of the average person just by being willing to take these parts off yourself. Did you test to see if the van will run with the MAP sensor taken out? I would do that before buying the part, just to be sure.

[@bryanking3760]

Good job brother. Use what you got.

[@gradyhernandez4699]

I had to take the alternator and bracket to get to one bolt on water pump 2001 caravan 2.4 liter

[@hurleyfrench3272]

good job guy,,,,,,,,,sometimes you just have to make do with what you have,,,great job

[@BruniFamilyTV]

Thank you. I used it for about 8 months after the making of this video, now it is the spare vehicle. Having electrical problems.

[@lowgascostsorangeman2688]

Very cool video. Well filmed and explained. Definitely subscribed.

[@stevenbuell5387]

Thanks for this.

[@canadiandualsporting5572]

Bro, put a jack stand at the ratchet end for a brace. That'll give you all the leverage you'll ever need

[@1967lathrop]

This looks like my set up in Nebraska. We lived in a small town the only thing to do is drink or work on cars and I don’t drink.

[@BruniFamilyTV]

LOL

[@scottygrahamcracker]

Lil Trick on the crank bolt. If you take one of the spark plugs out, and move the piston down, you thread in a nylon rope (about the size of the spark plug hole) into the cylinder. When you rotate the crank again it will press against the rope, and allow you to use the engine itself as the brace. Just don't put the entire rope in...

[@BruniFamilyTV]

Cool, thanks for sharing

[@gradyhernandez4699]

I have the proper harmonic balancer puller for dodge) Chrysler

[@JCnordic2983]

I had all timing mark on crank and can gears after I cranked engine the crank is off a half gear, I dint know if that's the new belt or if it's enough to nullify timing.

[@BruniFamilyTV]

Yeah I found that if the marks were lined up perfectly before I tensioned the belt they would appear a bit off once the belt was tensioned. What I did was to set the cam nearest to the rear a little bit off so that once I tensioned it they would line up. Though I don't think being off by one gear would nullify the timing.

[@stevegriffith7236]

Wedge a screwdriver in the flywheel next time. Motor will not spin then.

[@mattthyberg1470]

I was told it was called an inverted engine and that when the timing belt breaks the valves Bend and I can't get his van running are there any sensors that I might check that might be the problem and thank you very much

[@BruniFamilyTV]

I can't see the valves bending. At least they didn't on the vans I worked on. Did you already replace the timing belt on the van you are working on? Did you line up the timing marks? If there was no sensor issue before the break I can't see there being one now.

[@JCnordic2983]

I had 11 volts on bat. so I'll charge it and see if that's the problem.

[@BruniFamilyTV]

Definitely change/charge your battery or boost it. 11 volts is really low. If you have pressure in your fuel rail and spark it should still start even if the timing is off.

[@JCnordic2983]

Yeah all supporting specs are good, I checked bat at auto store it was 13, must be something else. I'll look over tomorrow

[@mattthyberg1470]

I have a question when the timing belt breaks does the valves and engine band and the motor no more no good no more

[@BruniFamilyTV]

I can't speak for other vehicles, but my experience with the Dodge Caravan would lead me to say No. I have replaced the timing belt on 3 Caravans who's belts broke while driving (and the people attempted to restart it multiple times), and once the new one was properly installed all 3 have ran without issues.

[@kasmanien]

Just a FYI (maybe already stated but Im too lazy to scan all posts to check LOL) the 3.0 Mitsu 12v v6 sohc motors ARE NOT interference motors,they are non-interference or "free-wheeling" .One of the few OHC engines that do not damage the valves when you break the timing belt.Please note its only the 12v version of the 6G72 that Im referring to.The 24v 6G72 SOHC IS an interference engine.Hopefully this is a useful reply to your post.

[@BruniFamilyTV]

Thanks. Yes, from what I understand the 3.0 in the 1999-2002 Dodge Caravans is a non-interference engine and my own experience replacing timing belts that broke while driving them supports this.

[@SKORICHROBERT]

Matt Thyberg it all depends if ur engine is a interference engine then yes it will cause engine problems if it's a non interference engine then no it won't cause engine problems and the water pump won't cause the timing chain or timing belt to break if the water pump isn't working it'll cause overheating

[@SKORICHROBERT]

I have a 2005 dodge grand caravan 3.8 liter and it's an interference engine

[@JohnSmith-qz6rd]

"no don't ask stupid questions" 😂😂😂

[@BruniFamilyTV]

Hahaha

[@olepickle5366]

What year model and engine size? Thank you

[@BruniFamilyTV]

2000 dodge caravan 3.0 engine.

[@FrankieAutoCAD]

nice info 👍fw

[@mattthyberg1470]

on a 3.0 Dodge Caravan bend the valves if timing belt broke

[@ChillkootMarkowee]

Yeah I think all of those older SOHC engines that were put in Chrysler vehicles, are non-interference engines. Like the 2.2, 2.5, 2.6L 4cyl. and the 3.0L V6.

[@cliffordwoodard3194]

1990 Dodge caravan 😅

[@cinder7377]

I'm spending hours trying to put a new belt on. I managed to get everything on except the tensioner part I've tried loosening the alternator and tensioner I don't know what the fuck. Tensioner comes loose but the alternator isn't

[@BruniFamilyTV]

I found I had to get the belt in place on every spot except the tensioner. It should go on ok from that point. Make sure all the grooves are lined up and all the timing marks. You shouldn't have to loosen the alternator, just the tensioner. It can be frustrating.

[@andredotson1217]

Did you loosen the third bolt on alternator

[@TeeNEROful]

No dont ask stupid questions 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheWeirdSide1]

I didn't watch the whole video..Manual says if timing belt broke while driving, the valves are likely toast. I'm sure you figured all that out by now but warning to others.

[@BruniFamilyTV]

I got it working just fine.

[@TheWeirdSide1]

@@BruniFamilyTV Good to know! I should mention that the manual I was looking at turned out to be useless. So now I don't trust anything it says.

[@raymund895]

have a mechanic do it!!@@@

[@BruniFamilyTV]

Where is the fun in that :) lol

[@kasmanien]

I dont know about anyone else here,but I have a problem with paying the kind of money this repair would cost at a shop,when I can do it myself for the cost of the parts.