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To: MonroeDNA
MonroeDNA--and several others above--are providing excellent advice.

As far as I have been able to find, the engine in your car is a non-interference type (as has already been stated above) and I found the belt you need (one for each side) for about $18 each ($36 total) at Autozone.

But don't run out and buy them just yet. You seem to have said above that you have the Haynes manual (they are better than Chilton IMHO), so review the timing belt procedure thoroughly, then take the book to your car, open the hood, and see if you can identify the what the book suggests you do.

As it stands now, if you want a garage to fix it, you'll have to have it towed to the garage. If you start fixing it yourself and muck it up, you'll STILL have to have it towed and pay someone to fix it.

I'd give it a go. Then again, I'm elbow deep on the same project right now, in my driveway, with a Haynes manual, on a 96 Dodge Intrepid. (How's it going? you ask. Buy Ford.)

34 posted on 09/03/2002 4:27:16 PM PDT by Petronski
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To: Petronski
If you're going to do this, I'd suggest a few more things:

You'll need to budget the whole day (like a Saturday), a metric ratchet set, screwdriver set, and most importantly, someone else on hand to run you out to the Autozone when you realize you need something else.

Everybody knows somebody who is good with mechanicals, pay him in beer. Follow the manual, label your parts if that helps you, and just don't be timid. Oh, and don't start the beer 'til after you've put the wrench down.

As a shadetree mechanic, I'll tell you the single biggest secret of working on your car yourself: Tearing down can be scary, but when the new part is in and you're reassembling, damn it feels great! When it turns over and runs fine, it's high-fives all around.

36 posted on 09/03/2002 4:34:41 PM PDT by Petronski
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