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chris
Dodge Dakota
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3/13/2003
16:35:13

Subject: v6 timing chain
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I have a 97 v6 that has been making a rattling sound almost since the day i bought it. i have taken it to the dealership and they said they couldn't "hear" the problem. Everyone else hears it, and I have been told that it is the timing chain and the chain dampener. Has anyone else had this problem? How expensive is it to have fixed and should it be covered under the warranty?




Simpleman96
Dodge Dakota
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3/13/2003
17:51:35

RE: v6 timing chain
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The timing chain rattle is caused by stretch in the chain which does not take long to happen. Dodges fix for it is to install a tensioner and newe chain. There is a TSB out for this and some dealerships will fix for free, but some wont. I bought the parts to fix at the dealership for $122 bucks, and did the job myself in a few hours. someone on this site will be able to give you the directions on how to do it, or the TSB#



randy
Dodge Dakota
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3/13/2003
19:18:23

RE: v6 timing chain
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they want 380 to do it at the dealer by me



chris
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2003
10:31:49

RE: v6 timing chain
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i found a mechanic in Huntsville that will replace the chain, put a dampener (?) on it and do a complete tune up and all fluids changed (oil, radiator,etc) for just over $400. Being a young woman, I don't know if I am being taken or not, is this a good price for what has to be done?



CP
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2003
13:01:35

RE: v6 timing chain
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Chris:

The issue is about noise. There is no performance loss or engine damage that occurs with the stock set rattle. FYI, I can almost certainly say without a doubt that you DO NOT NEED A NEW HARMONIC BALANCER that is commonly called a dampener by chrysler people. I think $400 is not unreasonable but arm yourself with this info: Dodge pays only 1.5 hrs for this job. Cleaning and removing mating sufaces takes an hour (in addition to book time). So a competant mechanic with airtools can do this job in half a day. If he takes his time and charges $30/hr thats $120 for labor. Add $50 for a timing chain set+$25 for gasket set+$50 for a part they say you need called a tensioner (only function is to tension a chain to stop a rattle) +$15 for fluid and filter. comes out to about $360 plus a dampener that you probably don't need. TO REPLACE A TIMING CHAIN AND GEAR SET, THEY MUST REMOVE THE BALANCER (dampener) ANYWAY. Therefor there is no additional hours paid for that repair except for the cost of the part. I don't have a general figure for the cost of a dampener.

I stongly encourage you put in a double roller timing gear and chain set, skip the tensioner and the dampener. If the dampener is bad. You can easily have that part removed and replaced anywhere in a hour. It just involves removing fan belt(s), removing belt pully, removing balancer, then reversing this with a new balancer. I have done this without removing anything else. A bad dampener will cause the main crank to spin out of balnce and cause engin damage. A severely loose chain (usually from high mileage) could "skip" a gear tooth. This will in the worst case wreck the cylinder block. You should consider replacing the timing chain and gear set AND the WATER PUMP when you get up to and over about 80-90,000 miles.



randy
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2003
15:45:37

RE: v6 timing chain
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i seen u mention a double roller who sells one for the v6 i havent really looked yet but u might save me some time if u know



whitedakota2
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2003
17:49:25

RE: v6 timing chain
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Cloyes makes one (get it from Summit Racing) and it's part # 9-1103 for the "Street True" or part # 9-3103 for the "Original True" (cam gear is harden so this one costs more). There is also an ajustable one for those who are skilled enough to set the cam timing up, it's part # 9-3103A for the "Hex-A-Just True". I think a true roller timing chain is better than a stock one with the guide. I am getting my Cloyes at the upcoming Performance Wharehouse show along with a host of other goodies for CHEAP!

Hey CP, where can you find a good mechanic for $30/hr? It is like $60/hr here for non-dealers and the dealers are even higher. :(

Oregon



Simpleman96
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2003
17:52:31

RE: v6 timing chain
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hughes engines sells them, or KRC performance i think has em as well. look these guys up on line.



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