It sounds like your timing belt may have jumped. Either your tensioner has failed, or your timing belt has failed. Your engine is an "interference" engine (one that lacks
sufficient clearance between the valves and pistons if the cam stops
turning), the result can be one or more bent valves and possibly a broken piston. The service life of a timing belt depends on miles driven, underhood temperatures and exposure to dust or
other contaminants.
On older OHC (overhead cam) engines, the most common recommended
replacement interval for the timing belt is 60,000 miles. From about
1995 and up, better belt materials were used that allow longer service
intervals. The recommended replacement interval on the newer belts may
be up to 100,000 miles. The Hydraulic Timing Belt Tensioner used on the 1997 Dodge Avenger is also a common item to fail.
Since you have an interference engine, if your timing belt has failed, you may get away with just replacing the timing belt and tensioner, but the engine may not run that great.
Is your Check Engine Light On? If so, scan the codes using an OBDII scanner available at most auto parts stores and report back the codes. I’m happy to help further over the phone at
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