Timing belt or chain may be bad.
That requires an engine scanner to set the timing on that engine. The timing is computer controled.
A damaged timing belt would stop the engine from running probably with no warning. If you should have an "interference engine" it would basically destroy the engine.
Generally a timing chain is good for the life of the engine, so myth.Generally a timing chain is good for the life of the engine, so myth.
If the timing belt was broken, obviously the engine would not run. If you crank the engine and the distributor does not turn, that would be a good sign.
If it had a timing belt, you would replace it at 90,000 miles. But this engine has a timing chain and does not have a belt.
A 1998 Chrysler Town and Country would have a 3.8L V6. That engine has a timing chain not a belt.A 1998 Chrysler Town and Country would have a 3.8L V6. That engine has a timing chain not a belt.
It has a chain and gears. NO BELT. There would be no reason to fool with the timing chain and gears on that year engine. The chain and gears would out last the engine.
An engine does not go off-timing all by itself. If the timing chain fails, the engine would usually be too far off to run. If someone forgot to tighten the distributor hold down, the distributor would revolve counterclockwise until it got to a point where the engine would be very low on power.
Timing chains are designed to last the life of the engine. If one was to break the engine would cease to run. A compression test would read "0".
No, an exhaust leak would have nothing to do with your engine timing.
If you have the 3.8L engine, ignition timing is controlled by the computer and cannot be altered without making changes to the computer. If you have the 3.1L engine, which has a distributor, you can set the timing as you would on any engine with a distributor.
If the timing belt broke on an interference engine, the open valves and pistons would collide and wreck the engine.