wvcrd wrote:
Thanks guys for the input.
I will read the posts suggested. As far as my experience, I can "turn a wrench" but not much experience. And a guy that just helped me with my alternator and belt said that he suggests having a mechanic do the timing belt because "if you are off just one tooth..." yada yada yada. My thoughts are that I've seen a lot of mechanics get sloppy and could mess up too and maybe I would pay a little more attention since its my vehicle.
Any thoughts or is this not an amateurs job?
Thanks again
If you don't throw caution to the wind, how will you ever learn

IF you get the pin kit and pin at #1 TDC, IF you are not changing the water pump, and IF you have the ability to change out a serpentine belt you have what it takes to do the TB change (the water pump takes a bit more confidence). The ONLY thing out of the ordinary is having the confidence and foresight to check, recheck, and check again that ALL four items are at #1 TDC and the belt is properly installed/routed.
I don't remember off the top of my head which of the three methods I used but I applied some knowledge from past vehicles I have done TBs on... and I will pass some of that to you.
At each step, take pictures, especially of the routing of the TB.
Use the proper tools (in this case, I used this kit, which was a bit cheaper this past summer
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHRYSLER-2-5-CR ... 2a150c24d8)
Grab the water pump and give it a few yanks on the pulley, turn it and see if it is smooth/etc. If it feels perfect then you are good to go.... and you can save your pennies to do it down the road.
Take a white paint marker and mark the cam gears at their 12 o'clock position at the bottom of the tooth, your CP3 Pump to the rear cover, and your crank pulley similar. Draw this line over to the belt as well. Count, recount, and recount again the number of teeth between the marks, and be sure that your new belt has that same number between the marks. If you have equal tooth counts between the cams, and between the crank, CP3, and the intake cam. When you tension the belt it WILL quickly show any misalignments in the pulleys. Do your count, and readjust if necessary, you will need to do this, just keep it in mind and be patient.
Once the new belt is in, go have a beer, lunch, watch some TV, or what ever you do to calm your rattled nerves. Then go back and do your counts again for good measure.
BEFORE you put any covers back on, take a DEEP breath, put your key in and start the motor. When the engine starts up, you will know right away if you did it right. If no catastrophic damage is caused and no CEL is thrown, you can start putting things back together. At this point I like to do my counts again just to make darn sure it's done right before buttoning up the nose of the motor.
To date, I have done 3 dozen or so timing belt changes on various motors. To this day I still get a bit nervous for that first crank. I ALWAYS second guess myself, especially when it's a customer's car. That said, to this date I have NEVER done it wrong. Take your time, and check, recheck, and check again after a break to make sure it's all aligned properly. The day after I finished mine I drove 650mi in one day, I started to be more confident after the first hour or so

Good luck and take your time, it is nothing a person with an average knowledge of mechanical bits can't tackle.