Posted on 08/31/2015 7:20:59 PM PDT by Cowman
So my Durango with the 4.7 that wouldn't start has a broken timing chain on the right cam. It only has 140k and I have had 318/360 trucks that went well over 300k before they had any problems; and I have NEVER had a timing chain break during normal operations. I have had Chryslers most of my life and the worst thing I had was a spun bearing on a one ton van (at 350k).
Does anybody know if this motor has a reputation for weak timing chains? I know they have gasket and EGR problems.
Ummm, so girls don’t count huh ... my bro has one.
The forum for the Durango can be found here:
Yeah they stretch, a lot of problems with those motors
I’ve got 170,000 miles on my 5.2 in my 1998 Durango. Hell, last winter, I rolled the thing onto the passenger side on ice and had a tow truck stand it upright and drove off.
Don’t really know anything about the 4.7, but I have never heard of a timing chain breaking. Timing belt, yes.
However, after doing a little googling, it does appear that can be a problem.
http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10963&highlight=timing+chain
Did one of the cam rockers pop out and get stuck?
They are known for that. I think that could maybe break a chain or sheer the cam gear. Do you actually have the valve cover off?
Is it a free wheeling engine? If so just block off the injectors on the one bank and see if it’ll go on as a four-banger...
Have you checked for any class action lawsuits or recalls for this particular problem?
I found this, and it seems to focus on making sure you install a STEEL timing chain.. Is this related?:
"the solution to all of the engine problems with the durago as far as oil pressure and sludge is concerned. dodge used an upper timing gear made of aluminum and put a nylon coating of some type on the gear, the coating breaks into pieces falls down to the oil pan and it clogs the oil pump pick up screen causing low or no oil pressure wearing out the motor resulting in engine failure if not detected and replaced early enough , and a mechanic calling it oil sludge is bullshit, it does not feel like or look like oil sludge, my oil is always clean , the way the oil drain nut is in the oil pan keeps the nylon pieces from running out when you change your oil, it holds it there for the pick up screen to suck them up and keep clogging the pump, makes me wonder if they knew this was going to happen as it looks designed to happen, I just fixed mine and it took me over an hour to clean the crap out of my oil pan, so take your timing chain off and replace it with all steel one and take oil pan off clean pick up tube or replace and replace oil pump put it back together and your problem is fixed,
Source here: http://www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/Durango/1999/engine/engine_failure.shtml
Has anyone checked out Mobsteel on NBCSP? Its a car building reality show but very toned down without all the usual reality TV BS. The cars they build are pretty toned down but really cool.
Promo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=57&v=ueViK6-Bdxk
Wow!
I was a dyed in the wool Chrysler guy for most of my adult life. I then purchased a 1996 Chrysler LHS. Timing belt, tensioner, strut bushings, rear suspension alignment problems. I was done with Chrysler at that moment when the transmission locked up (@73K miles) and was told it was a non-rebuildable unit.
From that point onward I have been a devoted Toyota guy. I used to work on cars, now I don’t have to. Because it isn’t necessary to work on a Toyota beyond fluids, brakes, and tires.
Dump your Dodge, and buy a Toyota. You’ll be glad you did.
Some knowledgeable folks at http://ramchargercentral.com/.
Ping
Every V8 engine I had except for the first blew timing gears, and they all had those damn nylon teeth. After the third one, I changed the gears and chain before they popped. Heh, the ‘69 Fairlane 302 had 5 intact teeth and yet I just drove it into the shop like nothing was wrong. Imagine MY surprise after I removed the timing cover, one more good goose of the throttle and I once again would have heard that sickening double pop back through the carb...
Numerous Honda engines need their timing chains routinely replaced at 105K.
I got one. The 4.7 was not a good motor when it first came out. Mine is a 2002 1500 ram. New tires, new front end and new radiator. And a blown motor.
Maybe it’s the design child of the Mitsubishi 2.4.
Well, 318/360 engines weren’t overhead cam, so they didn’t have a timing chain. That would tend to make them less likely to break or stretch.
Well, I should clarify. They didn’t have the kind of timing chain that typically would stretch due to length.
I think that is the V-8 version of the junk v-6 version. If I remember correctly, it has a normal cam stub in the valley of the V with a short chain from the crank. Then there are two separate chains for each bank driven from the cam stub.
I don’t know if it’s an interference engine which means that when the cam stops and the pistons keep going, valves get bent. I’ve also seen them where the valve seat drops out and destroys the piston and beats the hell out of the combustion chamber.
Pull both heads, have a valve job done on both and any bent valves replaced and lapped in. Buy all three timing chains and all tensioners and put it back together.
Sell to someone who doesn’t know what junk Mopar makes.
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