On 04/30/08 09:49 pm Bill Putney wrote:
> 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+.
We've pretty much decided not to spend the money. Kelly Blue Book
estimates private-party sale value as $2500. The repairer says he'll
give us $200 for it, and we're inclined to accept -- or perhaps try to
push him up $100.
I am still very puzzled why the belt broke. Even if the people who
replaced the water pump did not in fact replace the timing belt at
approx. 60K miles, I don't think it was due for replacement yet.
A family member had a Sebring ('98, I think), probably with a similar
power train, and he simply walked away from it -- but his had a major
transmission problem rather than an engine problem.
Perce
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