Chrysler Repair: 01 2.0 L Timing Belt Change: Age/Mileage?, camshaft sprockets, temperature variation

Question
2001 PT with 65k miles.  Maint schedule says R & R Timing Belt at 120k mile or 96 months.  How much faith in the 96 month suggestion from the owner's guide?  Have heard varying tales on mileage and time in service.  Suggestion??

Answer
Hi James,
In my experience if the engine is driven reasonably (not alot of high rpm's) then the 120k change point is a good place to inspect the condition of the belt for signs of wear/fraying/cracking of the rubber. If it looks good I would be inclined to continue simply checking it. The only situation where the time interval of 96 months might begin to be relevant is if the car is driven in an area of wide temperature variation over the year. It you are in a temperate zone with seldom hard freezes or 100+ days then again that time limit could be extended as long as you inspect it periodically. There is an access plug in the upper area of the timing belt cover which when removed will allow you to visually inspect the belt at a point where it is passing over both camshaft sprockets. You could tweak the starter motor several times to bring into view more of the belt so that you will have a good sense of its condition overall.
The 2.0 engine is not of 'free-wheeling' valve design, so it is therefor important to not allow the belt to break in order to avoid valve train damage. The 1.6 has a drive chain so all this is moot for it.
Roland