Belt Auction

Is my Dodge Stratus timing off, misfiring, or my imagination?

I have an 05 Stratus with the 2.4L interference engine (X vin). It's coming on 90K miles and I'm going to change the oil when it gets there(Mobil 1 and it will be a 5K change with K&N oil filter). The timing belt, thermostat, and water pump were changed at 80k with Dayco, Superstat, and ACS parts respectively. At 85k, I replaced the plugs with NGK Iridiums. My problem is that when I crank the car, the belt squeals until I let it idle for a minute, and it sounds like the exhaust is off a little and I can feel the engine shudder, but not violently. I have one of those cone K&N air filters, it this matters. Also at stops, the steering wheel slightly vibrates, but not as bad as before I had a 4 wheel alignment. Recently, today as I drove at night, I noticed that my new lights were slightly flickering, along with the dash and radio. I turned on the inside light and it flickers as well. Also at night, during the first complete stop I make, the lights dim, then come back on. So, what is up with my Stratus? Did I get a faulty install? Do I need a coil pack and new wires? The car drives ok and shifts without a problem. I'm going to brush and clean the battery today, as well as change the side terminal connectors to see if that helps with the lighting problem. Please take note that I take care of my car and that all regular maintenance is performed. I hope I provided enough info to make a good diagnostic. Any help, especially by the Dodge Man, would be highly appreciated and thanks in advance. Also, I do NOT have never had any check engine codes. I have done the "turn off, turn on" thing recently and still no codes.

Public Comments

1. Well you don't have a timing issue that is for sure. First off on the belt squeal you need to adjust the alternator belt. If I had to guess it is loose. Also that might be the reason that you have an electrical gremlin as you increase the loads on the alternator the belt slips and causes the flicker that you see in the lamps. Now for you running problem there is an updated plug wire from chrysler and spark plugs meant to deal with poor engine running and misfires. I have never had much luck with the fancy plugs or platinum ones when they are not required. I always recommend what the manufacturer installed. Which in your case is champion copper cores. They work just fine. Give that a try and see what happens. It sounds like you take good care of the car and cleaning the battery will help it last much longer. Just check that belt and your plugs and I think you will be OK. Oh did the check engine lamp come on? If you have a big misfire that should come on. Also your loud exhaust? Check your resonator under the car. I replace those all the time on stratus and seabrings. Good luck.
2. Concerning the misfire, it could be a bad tank of gas or moisture that has built up in the tank due to the changing weather this time of year. It could be a fault wire in the ignition. Try some systems cleaner. Platinum plugs have been the standard plug for car now for years, the advantage or the Iridium ones is how long they last. With manufactures trying to get 100 K miles out of plugs now, for all that I know that is the recommended replacement. The wheel vibration on stopping may be warped rotors, suspect this if when you have your foot on the brake you feel the vibration. The accessory drives are most likely serpentine, and there is a belt tensioner there, so the squeal is most likely a bad bearing either on one of the accessories or the tensioner. Because your lights flicker the alternator could be the one that is failing. A failing alternator can cause ignition problems because the Vcc is not constant to the engine ICU.