# 03 PT C ruiser timing belt

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-pt-c-ruiser-timing-belt/56839>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chrysler, belts, timing-belts\
**Created:** [October 25, 2010, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-pt-c-ruiser-timing-belt/56839 "2010-10-25T23:49:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![m\_fumich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@m\_fumich](https://community.cartalk.com/u/m_fumich)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-pt-c-ruiser-timing-belt/56839/1 "2010-10-25T23:49:01Z")

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I have a 2003 PT Cruiser. The water pump failed so I’m replacing it and the timing belt. The pump is replaced and I’ve started reassembly but I can’t get the timing belt over the tensioner. No matter what I do, I can’t get enough slack in the tensioner so that I can get the timing belt in place.

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-pt-c-ruiser-timing-belt/56839/2 "2010-10-26T00:00:05Z")

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A manual is your best friend, even a Hayne’s or Chilton’s manual. Try logging onto [www.autozone.com](http://www.autozone.com) and registering so you can use the free vehicle repair guides.

It appears you need a 6mm Allen wrench to open a retaining plate to re-adjust the tensioner.

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**Author:** ![irlandes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5e925/32.png) [@irlandes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/irlandes)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-pt-c-ruiser-timing-belt/56839/3 "2010-10-26T01:30:34Z")

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Ooooh, great posting, Bustedknuckles.

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**Author:** ![jimgray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e99b99/32.png) [@jimgray](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jimgray)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 10:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-pt-c-ruiser-timing-belt/56839/4 "2010-10-26T10:18:24Z")

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some of the older PT’S require replacing the tensioner with an updated version

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**Author:** ![Xebadaih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d07c76/32.png) [@Xebadaih](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Xebadaih)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-pt-c-ruiser-timing-belt/56839/5 "2010-10-26T13:25:41Z")

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Sounds like maybe you have an improper part. Count the teeth on the old belt compared to the new belt.