2000 Voyager timing belt -> valve job?

[brtb]

Way off the subject for a Jeep site, but it can't hurt to ask...

Mom's got a 2000 Voyager minivan with the 2.4L DOHC engine, 80k miles already. Driving it around today when it died on her. Cranks but no start. Almost catches every once in a while but only for a split second. Thinking it was probably the same thing that happened to the older van, I took off the cover for the timing belt... not broken, but it's got a bunch of nicks in it and not much in the way of tension. So I'm thinking it probably jumped a few teeth, enough so the timing's off enough it won't run. Friend who's an instructor for the GM certification program here had a similar guess.

She took it over to a highly-recommended mechanic who promptly informed her that the Chrysler 2.4L DOHC is an interference engine and she might be looking at a $3k valve job, on top of the $500-600 for the timing belt replacement and the "water pump that you have to take off in the process and might as well change it while it's in there since it *does* have 80k miles on it".

Plausible? I'm just clueless with this thing, I can't even find the fuse/relay that's stopping the interior lights from turning on. If it was the Jeep I'd be pulling out the toolboxes, but on this thing there's not even much in the way of access from the hood, you probably have to do something crazy like put it on a lift and drop the engine. Even if this is an interference engine, what are the chances it actually crunched some valves?

 

[Matthew Currie]

If it's an interference engine, I'd say the chance of valve damage is high, but I'd still get a second opinion on the whole thing. I may be out of touch with current values, but if you're looking at 3500 plus just to fix the engine, I'd check around for replacement engines.

I once had a timing belt go on a 12 valve Honda civic. It bent 9.

 

[RichP]

We had a Jasper rebuilt engine put in last summer on our Oldsmobile, $34xx.00 something for the complete job, tow in drive out and a nice warranty. So far so good with about 22,000mi on it.

I would call your dealer and ask the service manager a direct question 'Is this engine an interference engine' he'll know exactly what you mean and there is only to possible answers, Yes or no, nothing inbetween. If yes I would not want a rebuild done on it w/o the bottom end being done also and new pistons. At that point a jasper is well worth it.
The Jaspers come with a huge box of new parts, filters, tstat, belts and other stuff, I was suprised when I saw it, the parts box was bigger than the crate the engine came it.
You could also price an engine from the dealer for a comparison but I doubt that it will come with the new parts the jasper ships with.

 

[red91]

a good used 2.4 low milage motor in Portland, Or is about $1300.00. Sound like the stealership is working a little O.T.

install cost about 600.00 with a good mechanic. 10hr@ $60.00