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How to Change a Timing Belt in a Chrysler Van

Chrysler makes several series of vans under its Dodge brand, including the Caravan, Ram Van and Sprinter. The full-size vans use timing chains, but the Caravan is a minivan that uses a timing belt. A timing belt keeps the crankshaft and camshafts synchronized, just as a timing chain does. Timing belts are quieter than a timing chain, but also wear out at regular intervals. A timing belt typically lasts at least 60,000 miles.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench. Remove any components needed to access the timing belt in your Chrysler van. A late-model Caravan requires you to remove the right front wheel and splash shield for the engine.

2

Disconnect the accessory drive belts and crankshaft damper. Remove the belt tensioner and pulley assembly for the air compressor. Disconnect the timing belt covers with a socket wrench. Remove the right engine mount and bracket from the engine.

3

Turn the crankshaft clockwise to align the timing mark on the camshaft sprocket with the mark on the oil pump housing. The "UP" mark on the left camshaft sprocket must also align with the "FRONT" mark on the right camshaft sprocket. Loosen the lock bolt on the timing belt tensioner with a socket wrench.

4

Place a 6-millimeter Allen wrench into the opening on top of the pulley for the timing belt tensioner. Turn the top plate on the pulley clockwise with the Allen wrench to remove the tensioner, and remove the timing belt from the sprockets.

5

Place the timing belt tensioner in a soft-jawed vise. Press the plunger into its housing to align the holes on the plunger and housing. Insert a 5/64-inch Allen wrench to hold the plunger in place.

6

Place the new timing belt onto the crankshaft, water pump, idler pulley, right camshaft sprocket, left camshaft sprocket and timing belt tensioner pulley in that order. Turn the left camshaft sprocket counterclockwise to take up the slack in the timing belt.

7

Turn the top plate on the pulley for the timing belt tensioner counterclockwise with a 6-millimeter Allen wrench until the notch on the tensioner aligns with the spring tang. Remove the 5/64-inch Allen wrench from the tensioner plunger.

8

Tighten the lock bolt on the tensioner to 220 inch pounds with a torque wrench. Rotate the crankshaft two full turns and align the timing marks again.

9

Replace the components that you removed in steps one and two to access the timing belt. Attach the negative battery cable with a socket wrench.