On 2/20/07 4:03 AM, in article
1171972987.997353.71030@a75g2000cwd.googlegroups.com, "BSAKing@hotmail.com"

With a flashlight, take a good look at the belt for signs of wear. Are there
more than 4 to 6 cracks per inch on the ribs? Any frayed or torn edges? If
so, it might be time to replace it. 76k seems a little early, though. Check
your owner's manual maintenance schedule, I'd expect somewhere around 96k.
As far as changing it yourself, due to access issues, it is a real pain. I'd
gladly pay someone else to do it. But if you want to, go for it. Just don't
expect it to be a quick or easy job.

Here you are talking about the timing belt or chain, which is inside the
engine. Timing belts need to be changed periodically, chains generally not.
I'm not sure which your Dodge has. Again, check your maintenance schedule or
talk to your dealer service department or your mechanic for advice.

What is the condition of the belt?

If there are a lot of cracks in it, then I'd say to replace it.

What is the mileage interval recommended by the manufacturer say in the
owners manual?

I've gotten well over 150,000 miles on my  serpentine belts, since 1991,
but that's me. I carry 2 of the old ones in the trunk and every now and
then would rotate them on & off the car over the years. I'm guessing the
original had close to 200,000 before it was discarded. I did buy a new
belt in 2003.

I'm not familiar with Chrysler engines so I don't know how easy or
difficult a serpentine belt is to change on your vehicle. On my
Bonneville the serpentine belt can be changed in about 90 seconds.

I can't comment on the timing chain question but you can find out from
somebody here or from your mechanic or the dealer the information you
seek. On my car the timing chain gears are steel sprockets and there is
really no worry about the breaking or any real wear. I replaced mine at
around 290,000 miles when doing a cam interrupter magnet replacement  a
few years back. The old sprockets & chain looked just fine, but the
chain tensioner ( nylon ) had some wear in it. Essentially, I bought the
parts for nothing. The tensioner is what I really should of got but
didn't know about till my buddy took the car apart.

Years ago ( my 68 Buick, 78 Olds ) the upper timing gear was aluminum
with nylon teeth. They would wear out and shear off causing the timing
chains to slip.
I'm glad those days are gone! Both cars the chains slipped on.

Is your serpentine belt is the original? I would also consider replacing
the radiator & heater hoses as preventative maintenance.

Good Luck

harryface
05 Park Avenue 54,010
91 Bonneville 308, 892

In article
<1171972987.997353.71030@a75g2000cwd.googlegroups.com>,

This is under 50,000 miles, the serpentine belt should still be
serviceable, but nothing beats a trained eye inspecting.

You are confusing the serpentine belt with the drive for the
camshaft.  Your 3.3 has a timing chain, there is no recommended
service interval for the timing chain and 50,000 miles if well
below its service life.

True of either component.
The serpentine belt drives the alternator, water pump, power
steering pump and air conditioning compressor, if it breaks and
you keep driving/ignoring the warning lights you risk an over
heated engine and a dead battery.

If your timing chain breaks, the engine will stop dead and
depending on engine speed, there -is- a risk of bent valves and
bent push rods, but this is unlikely to happen until the engine
has upwards of 150,000-200,000 miles on it (you do the metric
conversion).

Who ever is performing the regular maintenance on this vehicle
should be keeping you apprized of the condition of the belts,
hoses, etc...