Yeah sounded fishy to me too...which is why I wanted to try the change
the timing chain myself...I am fairly mechanical so we will see how it
goes. :) Thanks for the info.
Wilbur
david.clement@verizon.net wrote:
> Sounds pretty fishy to me that you have that list of codes and they tell you
> it's the timing chain.
>
> Before doing anything I would have the codes run again. Autozone and places
> like that will do it for you for free. Also, This is by no means exact but if
> you get the timing mark on the balancer somewhere on the degree markings on the
> cover, then remove the distributor cap. Turn the crank back and forth until you
> see the rotor move in the distributor. If the slack is any more than a 3 or 4
> degrees on the timing marks then you could have a worn timing set.
>
> I looked at my Haynes 97-99 Dakota manual and your truck does not have the OHC
> motor (I do not know what year they cahnged but it was prior to 97). It also
> states that you must drop the oil pan to replace the tensioner (I was suprised
> that it even had a tensiner, most OHV motors do not), that may be the reason
> for the higher cost. Also, the tensioner has a lock and unlock postion. Could
> be the dealer forgot to unlock it after installing the new set and now it worn
> enough to cause a problem.
>
> I would run the codes first. Also, if you get a code indicating a bad sensor
> before running out and getting a new one pull the connectors and clean them.
> One of the FSM for an old Daytona I had stated that something like 80% of the
> time a code is thrown for a bad sensor it's really a bad connection.
>
> Dave Clement
> 99 SLT+ CC 4x4
>
>
>
> In article <btut4t$ahv$1@bent.twistedbits.net>, bwgreen@ocean.otr.usm.edu
> ("Wilbur") writes:
>
>>Hehe, yeah thats what I thought too....But the timing chain was replaced the
>>first time by the dealer. At around 110,000 miles, it started having
>>strange symptoms, it ran really rough, missing on the first cylinder. The
>>first time this happened I took it to autozone and had them read the codes.
>>Codes PO108, PO112, PO301, and PO320 came up (Map sensor voltage too high,
>>air intake sensor voltage too low, cylinder 1 misfire, and No crank
>>reference signal at PCM were the descriptions). All of the actual sensors
>>tested fine according to the dealership, however, and they (Dodge) said it
>>was the timing chain that went bad somehow.. So I had a new timing chain
>>put in it and it was back to running like normal.
>>
>>Unfortunately, now at 160,000 miles, the same symptoms and error codes are
>>occurring. This is why I think it is the timing chain--similarity of
>>symptoms to the first timing chain replacement. I live a few states away
>>from the place that did the first timing chain replacement or I would take
>>it back to them and let them fix it...it shouldn't be going out again so
>>soon. In lew of having yet another dealership do the work and charge me
>>500.00, I thought I might take a crack at it provided it is doable by
>>someone of moderate mechanical ability. :)
>>
>>As for the engine, I don't think I have confused it with the 2.5 L OHC, but
>>I could be wrong...My dakota is a 1998 4-cylinder 2.5L engine...is there a
>>way to confirm whether or not it might be the OHC engine? I am open to
>>suggestions on what else to check, if anyone has any other ideas or
>>suggestions. Thanks.
>>
>>Wilbur
>>
>>
>>
>>
>><david.clement@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>news:btulqu$v33$1@bent.twistedbits.net...
>>
>>>Gee, A timing chain and sprockets should be a life of the vehicle part. I
>>
>>would
>>
>>>be looking for why you are changing it for a second time (I had 250,000
>>
>>miles
>>
>>>on the timing chain and sprockets in my 89 V6 with no indication that it
>>
>>needed
>>
>>>to be replaced). I hope you have not confused the engine you have with the
>>>older 2.5 OHC motor that has a timing belt that needs to be changed as a
>>>maintainence item.
>>>
>>>In any case the Factory Service Manual, a Chiltons Manual or Haynes manual
>>
>>will
>>
>>>have adequate information to do the work. A Chiltons or Haynes should be
>>>available at your local chain parts store such as Autozone.
>>>
>>>Dave Clement
>>>
>>>
>>>In article <btuhe6$pt8$1@bent.twistedbits.net>, bwgreen@ocean.otr.usm.edu
>>>("Wilbur") writes:
>>>
>>>>I would like to request your help for a min. Can anyone point me to the
>>>>procedures to replacing the timing chain and sprockets and/or tensioner
>>
>>on
>>
>>>>my 1998 4-cylinder 2.5 liter dak? It was replaced once by the dealer at
>>
>>a
>>
>>>>high cost, so I would like to try it this time myself. Is there a good
>>>>repair manual out there that covers this or a website maybe? thanks
>>
>>again
>>
>>>>for your time.
>>>>
>>>>Wilbur
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Feb 01 2004 - 16:29:49 EST