Chrysler Repair: 3.5L engine will not start., plug holes, speed and sound

Question
The car( 94 LHS )runs fine and suddenly stops/will not start. Had same problem on two previous occasions and it was the timing belt. It cranks over well and I can smell fuel.  I suspect it is the timing belt again ? Auto has 105,000 miles on it. Last replacement was at about 85,000 miles. Should the timing belt go that frequently ? I am a retired senior with limited funds ( but handy mechanically ) and would like to avoid again the $ 600 repair bill. How can I determine if it is again the timing belt and how difficult would it be to replace myself ?

Answer
Hi Dan,
I doubt it is the timing belt if the previous installation was done correctly. A new belt ought to last for 100,000 miles. Probably the easiest way to tell about the timing belt would be to see if you get compression at one of the spark plug holes using a compression tester. But if the engine sounds like it is cranking with the normal speed and sound I would not give that a high priority. You might be able to remove the bolts on the timing belt cover of the bank of cylinders on the driver's side of the engine (and gently pry the cast metal cover away enough to see whether the sprocket is turning, or another way might be to look inside the oil filler opening to look for any signs of motion while a helper cranked the engine over.
I would therefor begin by seeking for trouble codes that might be stored in the engine controller. Use your ignition key: Turn if "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing this within an elapsed time of 5 seconds or less. Then focus your attention on the check engine light which remains
illuminated to begin to flash, pause, flash, pause, etc.
Count the number flashes before each pause, then repeat the key routine and recount the numbers to make sure that you have them correct. Then group them in pairs in the order they readout, forming the two digit fault codes.  55 will always be the last code because it means "end of readout".
You can go to www. allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code translator. Or write me back using the "rate the expert" tab for a translation and suggestions on how to proceed.
If you get a code 11 that means the crankshaft sensor is bad, and a 54 means a cam shaft sensor is bad. A 54 alone needs to be verified by checking that the timing belt hasn't broken however because the cam is driven by the belt.
So try the codes first and let me know what you find.
Roland