QuestionQUESTION: I read your description on how to change the timing chain. I took my Intrepid in to have small oil leak fixed and found out that the Dodge dealer would not work on it. So not knowing any better another garage said He could fix it, it was just the tensioner, and he could clean the sludge out. Since that happened the car has lost power and idles rough, still runs ok otherwise. The mechanic said the gear or chain to the exhaust cam is slipped,( passenger side)and nobody wants work on it. The car only has 84000 miles. Is this possible to fix? If so could I get your xerox copies?
ANSWER: Hi Lance,
I assume this is the 2.7L as that is the one with the sludge issue.
There are 10 pages in the shop manual that deal with the timing chains/tensioners/etc. I don't think a chain has slipped, as that seems mechanically pretty unlikely. Maybe the tensioner wasn't set up properly by the mechanic as there is a detailed procedure for doing that involving a special tool to reset it. The manual warns that it can jamb if not reset properly.
Just to be sure though, you might want to see if you have any fault codes that would point toward another cause. Use the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window in the cluster to see if the 84,000 reading changes to show any 4-digit number preceeded by a P which would be the codes.
Let me know and we'll go from there.
I can xerox and postal mail you the 10 pages at a cost of three 42-cent stamps plus a 17-cent stamp or something like that which would cover my cost of copying ($1) and a stamp (42-cent). So let me know a postal mailing address. You can repay me after you get the pages. You could then verify the timing marks and decide if the valve timing is the problem or not.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: HI Roland, The details about the engine symptoms are multiple miss-fire. The mechanic said it's cylinders 1-3-5. He also did a running compression test, 1-3-5 had 50 pounds and 2-4-6 had 150 pounds. A compression test not running was even pressure by my understanding. The check engine light came on after it left the Dodge dealer, they took off the timing chain cover, made the discovery of a lot of sludge, when he was going to do the timing chain. He took off the valve covers and then told us that we needed a new engine. Then we went another guy that was recommended he took almost 4 weeks and said not to worry the light came on because chain being loose, hit cam sensor or something like that. As soon as we picked up the after hours the light came back on and He never answered the phone or could I catch him at the shop! So I went to another guy. At first He thought it was the manifold gasket but the idle never smoothed out. With his recommendation called in His friend to do his diagnostics and He said that it was the cam on 1-3-5 cylinders. The light is still on and now leaks worse, has ever since it left the Dodge dealer. I would very much appreciate help. Thanks for your time. Lance
ANSWER: Hi Lance,
Unless the mechanics had the manual for this engine or were trained in its timing chain installation, I can well imagine that the timing could be off. I think with the pages of the manual that you or a competent mechanic should be able to verify by inspecting the timing marks that the sprockets on 1-3-5 are off the mark. So it would be a matter of taking off the chain and reinstalling it properly and resetting the chain tensioner properly using the small tool (shouldn't be too expensive, made by Miller Tool Co. that does all the Chrysler Corp tools).
If the cam sensor has been damaged then that should be replaced at the same time. That, it true, would cause a P0340 code to be stored in the engine computer. Did you try a readout? Did you get any codes? If not, then try an Autozone parts store if you have one nearby and they will do a readout free via a plug-in code reader. Let me know the codes.
But in any case, if you want to try and do the job or you have a mechanically inclined friend who would be interested in doing the job with the help of the pages from the manual then let me know.
I don't understand about the "leak". Where is the leak occuring?
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Roland,
I checked the read out, it's P0300. I've looked some diagrams on the engine, but haven't checked on timing chains. I used work on My own cars but kind of got out it, just lazy I guess, they are much more complex. Its my thinking that the chain to the exhaust cam is stretched, like in older cars, possibly was starved for oil. The tensioner was replaced but not he chain. My mailing address is L. Cota 2616 fairview Ln. Muncie,In. 47304. Is this a possible fix? My mechanic and Gaddis Dodge don't want to work on it. Thanks for info.
Lance
AnswerHi Lance,
I don't know about it being strectched; you will be able to tell that by comparing the tension on the front vs the back secondary chains. Be aware that each secondary chain has a tensioner and the one for the 1-3-5 may be not doing its job (there are 3 pages about those cam chains that I will also include). The timint could also just be off by a tooth between the two sprockets, or the main chain tensioner may need to be reset although that would not likely just impact one side of the engine. So I will send you the 13 pages, as offered earlier and be pleased to be re-imbursed with four 42-stamps if that is convenient for you. My return address will be on the envelope.
Roland
