Hi. well, I made some refference to this issue in the announcments area, but i didnt see alot of replies, so i decided to make a post in here.
well, to make this story short, i have a 95 dodge avenger with the 420a engine with a 5spd trans.
I bought this car a month ago from a woman in new jersey, i belive she was the 2nd owner of this car. she had it for 10 years. well any way, when i bought it from her, she told me that the timing belt is broken, and it needs a new battery. she sold it to me for 300 dollars. i jumped on this deal right away because i knew it was a great buy. the thing is thought i knew that i will have to get it fixed later on. I said to my self il just buy it now, put it on the side, and fix it later.
well, any way, in the past couple of weeks, i bought the timing belt, the battery, idler and air tensioner pulley, and the water pump.
the only problem is that i am not sure if i will be able to do this by myself. ive read both of faq's and write ups on how to change the timing belt on the 95-96 eclipse{non-turbo versions}, but to be honest, ive just got soo hesitatious just by reading all of the steps.
I decided to make this post because i trying to see if any one is willing to help me with this by helping me change the timing belt with the other small stuff that i mentioned earlier. i really cant afford to pay 300-500 dollars for a shop to fix this, especially since i have now 2 cars that i am trying to maintain both of them.
The car is located in eatontown, new jersey.
I would extremely apprecaite if some one will help me with this. I already asked a dozen people in here if they can help me, but most of them cant because they live to far, and some are just too busy, which i completely understand...
but i know and i hope that there is at least one or two people that live some where close to me and are willing to help me with this.
well, thanks for reading this.....

You may get a better response in here. You're too far for me to just stop by though.

Hey I forget if I asked you this already or not, but you realize if the timing belt broke, you're going to most likely have to pull the head off and replace the head or at least some valves? You can change the timing belt then do a compression and leak down test, or you can just go straight to pulling the head.

If you're just trying to get this car back on the road, I have a spare head to throw on, but it's still on the car and you should have it decked. Might be able to escape without doing so though :shrug

Tell you what, I have to bring my Evo in for service sometime in the next two weeks at Brad Benson in East Brunswick. If you could pick me up and drop me back off I could spend the day helping you out while they fix my car. Just not sure if it's going to be on a saturday or during the week.

Also, a note, just a timing belt job would most likely cost in the $500 area, a HG job is around $1000 and a HG with a new head is going to run about $1300 so this may not be as cheap a fix as you would think. You could get away with about $500 in parts if it's all done by you and you need a new head, about half if you don't need to replace the head

Originally posted by cs82685
Hey I forget if I asked you this already or not, but you realize if the timing belt broke, you're going to most likely have to pull the head off and replace the head or at least some valves? You can change the timing belt then do a compression and leak down test, or you can just go straight to pulling the head. If you're just trying to get this car back on the road, I have a spare head to throw on, but it's still on the car and you should have it decked. Might be able to escape without doing so though :shrug Tell you what, I have to bring my Evo in for service sometime in the next two weeks at Brad Benson in East Brunswick. If you could pick me up and drop me back off I could spend the day helping you out while they fix my car. Just not sure if it's going to be on a saturday or during the week. Also, a note, just a timing belt job would most likely cost in the $500 area, a HG job is around $1000 and a HG with a new head is going to run about $1300 so this may not be as cheap a fix as you would think. You could get away with about $500 in parts if it's all done by you and you need a new head, about half if you don't need to replace the head

yes, i think you said something about the valves in our pm convo, and im aware of that. but the thing is thought i dont know how to do it, which is why i am looking for some one to help me with this. I am willing to do everything that i possibly can with my own hands as long as some one is standing next to me and helping me with this. now, i am not sure what you mean by a head{i guess you mean the head-gasket?} but if thats what you mean, ive been already looking for a full head gasket set on ebay, and i found one, but the thing is thought that i am not sure if i should get it or not, or a better question is - if i actually need it. as far as doing compressions and leak down test, i dont know how to do it as well. gotta remember, im just starting to get to know this engine, so forgive me on that one.
but back to the meet. I am more than willing to come and pick you up and drop you back off in your car's location. I will be actually excited to see your car and maybe get a ride in it : )
and as far as a day, you just tell me what day it is that you're going, and i wil make sure my schedule for that day is free and empty with no other things to do. this is how bad i want to do this.
well, just let me know.
thanks alot cs, i really appreciate it.

Originally posted by Avenger420A
yes, i think you said something about the valves in our pm convo, and im aware of that. but the thing is thought i dont know how to do it, which is why i am looking for some one to help me with this. I am willing to do everything that i possibly can with my own hands as long as some one is standing next to me and helping me with this. now, i am not sure what you mean by a head{i guess you mean the head-gasket?} but if thats what you mean, ive been already looking for a full head gasket set on ebay, and i found one, but the thing is thought that i am not sure if i should get it or not, or a better question is - if i actually need it. as far as doing compressions and leak down test, i dont know how to do it as well. gotta remember, im just starting to get to know this engine, so forgive me on that one. but back to the meet. I am more than willing to come and pick you up and drop you back off in your car's location. I will be actually excited to see your car and maybe get a ride in it : ) and as far as a day, you just tell me what day it is that you're going, and i wil make sure my schedule for that day is free and empty with no other things to do. this is how bad i want to do this. well, just let me know. thanks alot cs, i really appreciate it.

I've never done a leak down test, but a compression test is pretty easy, you just have to buy a tester to do it ($20-$50) sorry I don't have one you can borrow. You may be able to rent one at advance/auto zone might as well check with them since you are going to have to go there to rent the chrysler puller for your crank pulley. There are a few ways to go with this. I'll pm you my number and we can discuss what you ultimately want to do with the car and what the best route will be.

Okay Corey. I pmed you.