Timing Chain Question - Dodge Dakota Forum

Subject: Timing Chain Question
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Ok, I've got a knocking sound in my motor, from what I've heard the timing chain will be the problem. I've decided I'll replace it, my motor has 192000klicks on it. It's a 1999 Dakota, with a 3.9 4x4

My questions are
1: Do i have a tensioner on there right now (from factory)
2: How many hours am i looking at for doing it myself (I've got a fully supplied shop)
3: For those of you who have put a high number of miles on the new chain, has your problem came back, and what chain did you put on?

I've read a lot of banter as to whether it needs a tensioner or not, or whether or not to put in a double roller chain.

What else would be beneficial to replace while i'm in there, keep in mind i'm a student, but i'm not gonna cheap out on this.

Thanks alot....

cuzindoug
GenIII

7/12/2006
17:55:23

RE: Timing Chain Question
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1. Yes, you have the tensioner from the factory.
2. If you are familiar with your engine, it will take 1.5-2.5 hours tops. If you are not, it will probably take about 5-6 hours.

Can't answer the 3rd, as I only have about 10k on my new chain.

As for the tensioner, my 97 didn't come with one. They started installing them in late model year 97, and mine is an early model year. When I replaced my chain, I had bought one, just in case I needed one, but the new chain was tight, so I took it back. From what I have seen, some new chains are loose, so probably need the tensioner.
Replace the chain with the double roller type. Cloyes and Crane Cams make good ones, and there are others. AND I am not implying that you are dumb or ignorant, but get the chain and both sprockets as well.
Question, have you replaced your water pump? If you haven't, this is probably a good time to do it, as well as the bypass/upper/lower radiator hoses, water pump/chain cover gaskets, t-stat, and possible your intake manifold gaskets. With 192k, it's sometimes better to be safe than sorry:)

Good luck!

If it doesn't fit, force it. If it breaks...well...it needed to be replaced anyway.

Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2006
18:17:48

RE: Timing Chain Question
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Thanks alot

No I havn't replaced the waterpump, but i have only owned it for the past year and a half, and 30,000klicks, so I don't know what has been done to it. As far as I can tell, it was well taken care of.

As far as I know, the intake manifold gaskets are fine, I have already replaced the tstat, the hoses are fine. But I am gonna replace the front seal while i'm in there.

So if i get you right, you're suggesting the double roller chain (with both sprockets ;), and a tensioner?

cuzindoug
GenIII

7/12/2006
22:14:21

RE: Timing Chain Question
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Yes, get the double roller, but you should already have a tensioner. Oh, and regardless if the hose looks fine, I would change the bypass hose since you are going to have the AC / idler pulley/ alternator / tensioner pulley bracket off anyway. If you don't change it, chances are that Murphy will drop the atom bomb on you, and the hose will spring a leak, and then you will have to take the brackets off again just to change a little 5 inch long $2 rubber hose.

If it doesn't fit, force it. If it breaks...well...it needed to be replaced anyway.

Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2006
23:12:48

RE: Timing Chain Question
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One more question

If I already have a tensioner, it should work fine with a new chain? Why would my chain have slack if there is a tensioner, is the tensioner at it's limit?

Thanks cuzindoug

Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2006
09:08:27

RE: Timing Chain Question
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The factory tensioner was cut into by the chain, causing slack. There is a new design for the replacement tensioner.

cuzindoug
GenIII

7/13/2006
09:12:08

RE: Timing Chain Question
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Yes, the tensioner will work with any chain you install. Yes, the tensioner can only adjust with so much slack, it's just like the tensioner on your serpentine belt and once it stretches too much, you have to replace the belt.

Have you pin-pointed the "knocking" sound to the timing chain cover area? The sound I heard was more like a metallic slap when my timing chain was going bad. (I had between 3/4" to 7/8" of slack...probably closs to jumping tooth)

If it doesn't fit, force it. If it breaks...well...it needed to be replaced anyway.

Shatto
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2006
11:52:33

RE: Timing Chain Question
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Perhaps I skimmed too fast and missed it, but why do you think the chain is the problem?
Right, I don't race or otherwise drive as hard as most of y'all, which may be why I have not needed a chain in 500,000 miles on the same engine. So upgrade my knowledge base, please.

Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2006
17:59:42

RE: Timing Chain Question
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It sounds like a bag of marbles in the front end. The first thing my Dad said was, it sounds like noisy lifters, what other people on here have discribed it as....

Ok, thanks to all

I'm gonna buy:

Double Roller timing chain
sprockets
gasket set (water pump, timing chain case)
bypass hose

Am i ready to roll?

94SPT4x4
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2006
19:02:09

RE: Timing Chain Question
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I would do the water pump and thermostat if they are original.I did everything when I did mine.BTW mine sounded like a bag of marbles too and the tensioner took care of it.

Relf
Dodge Dakota
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7/16/2006
15:40:18

RE: Timing Chain Question
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I replaced the chain and tensioner on my '98 dakota 4x4 less than a year ago. The rattling during idle, in gear, was the same before and after chain/sprocket replacement. I would guess that the noise my engine makes was never the chain being loose, because the old chain and tensioner was just as tight as the new one.

Trevor, I did what the other guys are saying-
replace the water pump, bypass hose, double roller chain and sprocket set (sealed power brand), gaskets, etc. Better to do these changes now rather than in the winter when they might fail.

Relf.

Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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7/16/2006
18:03:34

RE: Timing Chain Question
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Thanks everyone

I'm gonna replace all of it, but the water pump, it won't be a big deal if it goes in the winter time. I have a heated shop at home ;)

I'm going to order the parts on Monday. And guess what, I'm going to order the double roller timing chain through Chrysler, as it is cheaper than a single roller from NAPA.

Also, the guy at Chrysler said that my truck has a double roller on it from factory, and that there are no tsb on this problem, I guess the tsb was for the gen 2?

cuzindoug
GenIII

7/16/2006
18:28:07

RE: Timing Chain Question
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No, 98 had them already, it was early 97 (early gen III) that had the TSB (mine) for the tensioner. I don't believe you have the double roller stock, but I could be wrong.

If it doesn't fit, force it. If it breaks...well...it needed to be replaced anyway.

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