1995 Dodge Caravan Are Valves or Engine Damaged?

WALTER FREAR

MEMBER
1995 DODGE CARAVAN

Engine Mechanical problem
1995 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 198k miles

Van engine died while driving no noise from engine. Coasted to a stop while in drive. Turns over but will not restart. Pulled front valve cover. No movement of valve train. Broken or stripped timing belt. Question :" is the valve train damaged “. How can I verify that the valves are ok before I replace the timing belt?. Called a Mechanic friend, his info says that the valve train IS NOT listed as an interference fit and valves should be ok. My local parts guy says his info says the valve train IS an interference fit. When I pulled the valve cover, no valves appliers to be stuck open. Is there a good way for me to determine whether or not the valve train is damaged before I spend the time and money to install a new timing belt. Does anyone know based on experience about this engine’s valve train being interference. Please Help.

2 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

Hi walter frear. Welcome to the forum. First of all, which engine do you have? Neither the 3.0L nor the 3.3L are interference engines, but only the 3.0L Mitsubishi engine uses a timing belt. The 3.3L uses a chain. I have a '95 with the 3.3L and an '89 3.0L, freshly rebuilt, and an '88 daily driver with the 3.0L that needed a water pump and timing belt a few years ago. All Grand Caravans.

A friend recently had his timing belt break on a 3.0L Dynasty. No valve damage.

Caradiodoc