Re: '96 Stratus ES: broken timing belt

Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
> Our '96 Stratus ES (approx. 85K miles) "just died" several months ago 
> when our son was driving it, and we just got around having the problem 
> investigated.
> 
> Verdict: broken timing belt. This despite my having requested and paid 
> for a timing belt replacement about 25K miles and 5 years ago when the 
> water pump was being replaced.
> 
> Estimated repair cost: $2000 -- and I don't recall whether that even 
> covers valve replacements if necessary.
> 
> Is it worth fixing? The repair guy said that this model has also 
> suffered from main bearing wear, resulting in low oil pressure, which 
> leads to other problems. And the oil pressure light on this car has 
> occasionally come on when the engine is idling.
> 
> Perce

Most likely the oil light is a worn out (possibly leaking) low oil 
pressure switch - very common in the Chryslers.  The pressure is likely 
not low.

Not sure if the car is worth $2000+.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my 
address with the letter 'x')