Timing chain failure on the Dodge Challenger

[cannonballcobb]

Originally Posted by dino

Or I merely disable MDS but auto sticking all the time, and now it's covered by warranty.

One can only hope... Don't be surprised if Dodge tries their damnedest to dishonor TC warranty claims regardless.

[JavierA]

Hi I just wanted to add another victim of a Timing Chain break on my 2010 Hemi Orange R/T. This just happened a few days ago with only 31,100 miles on it. I broke down about 400 miles south of where I live in Brunswick GA and so far it’s been crazy. I have a rental car for a week but after speaking with the Chrysler dealer in GA it looks like I’m going to be down for at least another week. After replacing the timing chain the tech said there was engine damage and they had to call Chrysler to see if they want them to rebuilt the engine or replace it. As you can imagine, I’m not happy especially since the car is only two years old and only 30k miles on it. After reading some other articles on the same issue I’m worried about the durability/reliability of the replacement timing chain or new engine if it has the same flimsy chain. In all my time building engines and street racing, I’ve never heard of timing chains breaking. Not in any engine under 500bhp anyway. It’s sickening to see it fail so soon and not under any extreme racing.

[cannonballcobb]

Javier, sorry to hear. Is your car an automatic? Can you tell us if MDS was activated when the timing chain broke?

[JavierA]

Yes it's an automatic and MDS was active. I noticed this seams to be only happening to automatics with the MDS activated.

[19johned53]

Originally Posted by JavierA

Hi I just wanted to add another victim of a Timing Chain break on my 2010 Hemi Orange R/T. This just happened a few days ago with only 31,100 miles on it. I broke down about 400 miles south of where I live in Brunswick GA and so far it’s been crazy. I have a rental car for a week but after speaking with the Chrysler dealer in GA it looks like I’m going to be down for at least another week. After replacing the timing chain the tech said there was engine damage and they had to call Chrysler to see if they want them to rebuilt the engine or replace it. As you can imagine, I’m not happy especially since the car is only two years old and only 30k miles on it. After reading some other articles on the same issue I’m worried about the durability/reliability of the replacement timing chain or new engine if it has the same flimsy chain. In all my time building engines and street racing, I’ve never heard of timing chains breaking. Not in any engine under 500bhp anyway. It’s sickening to see it fail so soon and not under any extreme racing.

And the saga of repairing/replacing the engine continues.

Sorry to hear this has happened, and I would push HARD for a factory crate motor as a proper fix.

Having your car 400 miles away from home is bad enough, but then hoping that the "shop" fixed a near new motor correctly is another story/battle that will come home with you.

Keep us posted on this mess and thanks for posting it.

[Dodgeballz]

JavierA, I noticed on your earlier post you say you have a little extra upgrade under the hood. Any problems with dealership?


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by CR/T

I ( as most it seems ) do worry about this. This issue was the main reason that I purchased a predator. I am the second owner of a 09 auto. I am right around 40K miles now and do not believe that I have any type of warranty at all. So I am on my own for any repairs.

If I am able to crack the motor open to preemptively replace the guides I hope that a cam is going in as well..

Even with the MDS off it still sits in the back of my mind..

If I were "you" as the second owner of an 09 as opposed to "me" as the first owner with a LIFETIME GUARANTEE, I wouldn't waste one minute in getting a Predator hooked up to that thing and turning off the MDS. then i would get that timing chain cover off and replace the chain with an aftermarket chain, similar to putting on a "double-roller" chain in the old days. Your possible repair costs would far out-weigh the remaining warranty on your drivetrain (if any) that you may possess. You see, "I" have to just sit back and wait I guess since Dodge has to replace the engine, transmission, etc. as long as I am the owner and keep the maintenance records intact. I want a Predator and would love to Hot-Rod this thing a bit, but I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.

[STINGRAY]

Originally Posted by JavierA

Hi I just wanted to add another victim of a Timing Chain break on my 2010 Hemi Orange R/T. This just happened a few days ago with only 31,100 miles on it. I broke down about 400 miles south of where I live in Brunswick GA and so far it’s been crazy. I have a rental car for a week but after speaking with the Chrysler dealer in GA it looks like I’m going to be down for at least another week. After replacing the timing chain the tech said there was engine damage and they had to call Chrysler to see if they want them to rebuilt the engine or replace it. As you can imagine, I’m not happy especially since the car is only two years old and only 30k miles on it. After reading some other articles on the same issue I’m worried about the durability/reliability of the replacement timing chain or new engine if it has the same flimsy chain. In all my time building engines and street racing, I’ve never heard of timing chains breaking. Not in any engine under 500bhp anyway. It’s sickening to see it fail so soon and not under any extreme racing.

Now you have a better reason to get an SRT.

[STINGRAY]

Originally Posted by JavierA

Yes it's an automatic and MDS was active. I noticed this seams to be only happening to automatics with the MDS activated.

Yes I see the pattern also.

[JavierA]

Originally Posted by Dodgeballz

JavierA, I noticed on your earlier post you say you have a little extra upgrade under the hood. Any problems with dealership?


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

No since it's Mopar parts.