Chrysler Repair: factory timing belt, aftermarket auto parts, oil contamination

Question
hi roland:

i have a 95 cirrus lxi, 2.5L 6cyl, with 105,000 miles. i'm trying to determine if the factory installed timing belt is still on the car. i figure if it's non-factory/aftermarket then it's been replaced.

upon inspection, what markings should i expect on a factory belt, mopar, mitsubishi? the car was purchased with 83,000 miles and the repair history is not available.

thank you.
frank a.  

Answer
Hi Frank,
That is an interesting approach to estimating whether a belt has been changed, but even then you couldn't be sure that it wasn't done 45,000 miles ago, because the manual recommends changing at 60,000 miles. My inclination would be to rather focus my inspection on the belt condition: cracks, separation, missing teeth, oil contamination. You can simply remove the covers on the camshaft sprocket areas to have a good look, and then rotate the engine enough to go all the way around the belt.  
You would have to ask at a Chrysler dealer's shop as to whether the belt installed at the factory would have a different label from one that came from their parts counter, or one that was bought from an aftermarket auto parts store. If you are concerned about damage to the engine, as I read the shop manual, the pistons are designed so as to not interfere with the valves, so the belt breaking unexpectedly would not do damage other than causing a breakdown on the road.
Roland