Timing on a 2000 dodge intrepid

might be steam coming out tail pipe. If steam you may have a blown head gasket which could put water into the cylinder that gets turned into steam and put out tail pipe.
If compression is getting into cooling system via blown head gasket then pressure builds in cooling system. A radiator repair place may be able to pressure test via the radiator cap to see if this is occurring while the engine is running.
If you have an alloy head you may also have cracked the head
A warped head is another possible problem .
This is expensive to fix as the engine head has to be sent to a head repair place to be fixed.
A compression test on your cylinders may give a diagnosis on if there is a head gasket problem .
The warps or cracked head can only be found out when the mechanic checks the head after pulling the top of the engine apart.

To replace a blown head gasket requires a lot of labor on this vehicle. Its a v6, meaning you have 2 head gaskets to replace instead of just 1. It requires removing air cleaner, disconnecting battery, removing most of the accessories that are belt driven, removing the intake manifold, egr valve and tubing, exhaust manifold on both sides of engine, timing belt removal, valve covers, and a few smaller items. After removing everything on top of the engine, you'll have access to the cylinder head bolts. Removing them will allow you to lift off the cylinder heads. Before replacing the gaskets, you must send them to a machine shop to have the gasket surface milled true flat again. They must also be inspected for cracks (which will sometimes happen with blown head gaskets) which would render them useless.
If this is a vehicle you really like, perhaps consider investing in a quality used motor. Its less labor intensive, less repeat repair, and you may come out saving a few bucks.

It all depends on where the leak is and how bad. It could work but it also could not. Either way this would be almost a 100% temporary fix. I would either get it fixed right away or trade/sell the car. A head gasket replacement as long as the heads are good would run 800-1000$ at a reputable shop.'
Thank you,
Lee

yes the engine is the same but you will probably have to use the enginge wiring harness and ecm (or computer) from 1999 intrepid to ensure that there will be no engine performance problems

plugs in modern engine last the life of the motor
you will not get smoke from a rear main as it will be a full on oil leak as for the head gasket comment
take it to an accredited service center and have a compression test done
from your statement , It would appear that you are not getting the correct advice

No! The Pro was not a pro. At a guess, the old gasket wasn't cleaned away. But it could be a faulty water pump too! Either way, it needs to be repaired. Just one overheating can fry an engine! So be rather careful not to invest in a dead horse. If you do a compression test, this will tell the tale.

replace the thermsostat, if that doesn't solve the problem you have a blown head gasket, it sounds like combustion gases are getting in the cooling system.

They are pretty reliable. Transmissions sometimes have problems and battery changing, etc isnt easy. I have had 2 concordes and 2 intrepids, as well as a van from chrysler and for the most part they are fine except the transmissions. have had to change the transmission in 2 of the cars and the van (which takes a different one). Engines are good if taken care of. Rick

It has been My Experience that Most Repairs on this Vehicle ARE PRICEY and it is Not Worth the Maintnance Cost For Instance To Replace the STARTER One Must Remove the Engine Mount This tacks On an Axtra 80 Dollars to Lobor To Replace The Engine Labor ALONE is Around 1,500.00 Cmopared to 6-8 Hundred on Most other Makes & Modles I Personaly Would NOT own One.