Timing chain failure on the Dodge Challenger

[AFDoc]

Originally Posted by 72/340

The dealer called this am....Chrysler is releasing the heads friday. So, with any luck be back driving mid next week. Assuming she runs right it's decision time as to keep her, buy a tuner and turn off the MDS and hope the rest of the engine is ok or trade her in. I do have 120k warranty so......

or put a 6.1 or 426 in her! That's my plan should it happen to me. Cheaper than the loss you take on trade and better than playing Russian roulette with another failure and dealing with the dealers' hassles.

[6SPD4ME]

Originally Posted by rscarawa

If you want the NHTSA to consider this, you need to link this issue to safety. Unfortununalty, we do not know of any injuries due to this issue. If there were, they would be more accomodating to researching this issue.

Engine "Failure" is a SAFETY issue. Contact NHTSA !!! Engine failure can occur during driving a vehicle and safety on the roads is a NHTSA concern.

As is the whole automobile, whether it be car, truck or trailer. It's their job!!!

[rscarawa]

Originally Posted by 6SPD4ME

Engine "Failure" is a SAFETY issue. Contact NHTSA !!! Engine failure can occur during driving a vehicle and safety on the roads is a NHTSA concern.

As is the whole automobile, whether it be car, truck or trailer. It's their job!!!

Well, My parents owned a GM car with a 2.0l motor in it in the 80's. FAR more of those motors blew up and they were never recalled.

How about Ford 3.8L motors? Any recall there?

[STINGRAY]

Originally Posted by rscarawa

Well, My parents owned a GM car with a 2.0l motor in it in the 80's. FAR more of those motors blew up and they were never recalled.

How about Ford 3.8L motors? Any recall there?

If its a Ford the 5.0 engine is the one to get.

[Slimass]

Hello fellow Challenger owners! I have a 2009 Dodge R/t Challenger.. It had 150 mile on it when I got it ..now it has 65,000 miles on it. I was driving on the highway 65MPH and "Pop goes to weasel" The engine died.. Towed the vehicle to dealer and at first they told me the engine was gone and I caused the engine damage by driving the car while it was over heating.. So after I said, "NO WAY!" The say I have to pay $350.00 for them to take the engine apart! I agreen because i am not no sucker...Then after they do that.. they say.. The timing chain broke and it cost $2,500.00 to fix it.. I have the lifetime powertrain warranty and they trying to tell me.. It is not covered.. Are you freaking kidding me?.. I am going back up there to day so they can see the warranty information.. This should not be happening at no 65,000 miles and mostly highway miles.. I dont race the car just drive to and from work.. I am one angry customer. I can't believe the engine is gone and then they want to rebuild it.. wish me luck.... Has anyone had trouble with the warranty covering this?

[sean65]

Slimass... usual questions: is your '09 an automatic? Did you have MDS turned off or were you in autostick mode when it died?

[19johned53]

Originally Posted by sean65

Slimass... usual questions: is your '09 an automatic? Did you have MDS turned off or were you in autostick mode when it died?

Also, any mods or stock?

Sorry to hear about your headache, this is nuts.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by Hal H

No - the sprocket and chain assemblies fit with a taught chain when they are new - common with OHV pushrod engines.

As they wear (sprockets) slack will develop in the chain. If it gets bad enough it will jump and the engine won't run very well. Often happens when an engine gets shut down or started up.

In the later years (70s) a lot of US makes put nylon tipped teeth on timing sprockets for quieter operation - those nylon tips would wear or break off and jump time. Had a direct experience with that "back then" and had to change a timing set.

I had the same experience with my Mustang II from 1975 with the nylon teeth. I was sitting at a stop sign and all of a sudden the car jumped around and then quit. It had jumped the chain and bent every push-rod. I rebuilt the engine with a Double-Roller timing chain. Still has it and runs great. that "Noise" issue with the nylon gears was bunk! they did it to save money, period. the double roller on there makes no perceivable noise.

........I have to ask this question though.........why doesn't every 4 cylinder car out there have timing chain issues if it is due to the "loading" of the chain while on 4 cylinders? The pressure is evenly distributed with the selected cylinders that remain active.

[Hal H]

Originally Posted by Slimass

Hello fellow Challenger owners! I have a 2009 Dodge R/t Challenger.. It had 150 mile on it when I got it ..now it has 65,000 miles on it. I was driving on the highway 65MPH and "Pop goes to weasel" The engine died.. Towed the vehicle to dealer and at first they told me the engine was gone and I caused the engine damage by driving the car while it was over heating.. So after I said, "NO WAY!" The say I have to pay $350.00 for them to take the engine apart! I agreen because i am not no sucker...Then after they do that.. they say.. The timing chain broke and it cost $2,500.00 to fix it.. I have the lifetime powertrain warranty and they trying to tell me.. It is not covered.. Are you freaking kidding me?.. I am going back up there to day so they can see the warranty information.. This should not be happening at no 65,000 miles and mostly highway miles.. I dont race the car just drive to and from work.. I am one angry customer. I can't believe the engine is gone and then they want to rebuild it.. wish me luck.... Has anyone had trouble with the warranty covering this?

The timing chain breaking - that should be covered under the LT powertrain warranty (if you're the original owner).

All their other suppositions didn't bear out and have nothing to do with the timing chain failure. If they don't get in line, time to get legal assistance (or go up the chain with Chrysler) to get this sorted out.

It appears the dealer is trying to "enhance" their revenue stream at your expense.

[Dodgeballz]

Slimass, you bought car with 150 miles on it, 2nd owner or was it a demo? Did you have MDS on? And are oil changes up to date?