Timing chain failure on the Dodge Challenger

[randycat99]

So I wonder how many 6-spd manual owners are actually using 5w-20?...

[raVenX]

Originally Posted by randycat99

... I also think it could be something as simple as the oil, is a plausible explanation as any other.

Personally, I have ruled out oil. If you look through the list of people affected thus far, you'll note that many of them stated that they changed oil as required. Even Desert Bum stated that he changed oil, the correct oil, religiously, and it still happened. Using the wrong type of oil will cause the MDS feature not to function, and it functioning is a common factor.

The common factors right now are:

1. Challenger 5.7L, automatic trans. and MDS

2. Highway speeds

3. MDS engaged

4. Roughly 40,000 miles on the odometer

[crow]

Still like to see the actual build dates on these cars, not just the year. If any of the unfortunate come by to visit, please post up your build date.

[Holeshot]

I wonder why the 2012 6-speed is rated 5 HP higher than the automatic?? Also, it looks like the PCV system has been redesigned, compared to the earlier years that I saw here in the catch can installation threads. I bought an air compressor water separator for it but not installing until I find out if 2012s have been cured.

[dino]

You still can't get around the fact that no matter what is going on, one thing is that chain they are using is so much crappier than the past chains. It sure as hell is the smallest I've every seen in my life for a V8 motor.

[Hal H]

Originally Posted by Holeshot

I wonder why the 2012 6-speed is rated 5 HP higher than the automatic?? Also, it looks like the PCV system has been redesigned, compared to the earlier years that I saw here in the catch can installation threads. I bought an air compressor water separator for it but not installing until I find out if 2012s have been cured.

All years of the 5.7 / 6-speed were rated higher from '09 onward.

Different exhaust system (although '11+ cars exhausts appear to be more similar auto vs. 'stick) which is louder and had less back-pressure and incorporates an H-pipe cross-over vs. the 'auto version. There's also more aggressive spark timing on the 6-speed cars, which necessitates 91 octane to get peak performance as well.

The automatics had different exhaust (and rear resonators) to compensate for the effect on sound MDS creates when in operation. In the earlier years '09-'10, the 'autos had the suitcase muffler, which changed to the current setup used since the '11s came out.

Interestingly enough, the SRT models also used a different exhaust, but the hp/tq ratings were the same whether it was the 6.1 or 6.4 with either tranny.

[rt2010mm]

Just happened last Saturday...

1. 38,500 miles
2. going 80 mph on freeway
3. 2010 r/t auto

At the dealer right now taking it apart to check what happened. got the lifetime warranty. They haven't told me yet what it is, should I suggest to them that it may be the timing chain, or should I let them tell me what they "found"?

[randycat99]

Originally Posted by raVenX

Personally, I have ruled out oil. If you look through the list of people affected thus far, you'll note that many of them stated that they changed oil as required. Even Desert Bum stated that he changed oil, the correct oil, religiously, and it still happened. Using the wrong type of oil will cause the MDS feature not to function, and it functioning is a common factor.

The common factors right now are:

1. Challenger 5.7L, automatic trans. and MDS

2. Highway speeds

3. MDS engaged

4. Roughly 40,000 miles on the odometer

I'm not talking about oil changes or even quality of the oil. What I was implying is that it could be something as simple as certain parts/systems on the engine (namely the chain and/or tensioner) just may not be liking the 5w20 oil...or maybe that oil grade is right on the threshold where those parts are happy (it could go either way...no troubles whatsoever or just enough to bring it down). Maybe if you are trying out 0w20, it's like a double whammy of odds working against (like eating a steak isn't going to kill you outright, but it certainly worsens your chances...doesn't stop me from indulging, though )?

I understand the mds needs a certain oil weight to be operational. That just makes it harder to distinguish if it is the hardware or the oil the hardware needs that is the actual culprit. Do the 6-spd manuals use the same 5w-20 or something thicker? If all manual drivers suddenly switched to it, would they start dropping like flies, too (relatively speaking in the context of auto RT's that are breaking down)? It's a question that could never be answered just by the logistics of it all, but it doesn't mean it is irrelevant.

[LETSJET]

I dis-abled the MDS on my 2010 with a predator, sounds better. Should everyone just do a timing chain change at 30,000 miles as preventative maintenance? Is there an aftermarket timing change that would eliminate this issue? Seems like Dodge would eventually do a TSB on a recommended timing change interval when they have conclusive evidence that the current timing change is a weak link. What are owenrs thoughts on this impending issue? I have an auto and a 6 speed, is it a factor on the 6 speedds also?

[GlennW]

Originally Posted by rt2010mm

Just happened last Saturday...

1. 38,500 miles
2. going 80 mph on freeway
3. 2010 r/t auto

At the dealer right now taking it apart to check what happened. got the lifetime warranty. They haven't told me yet what it is, should I suggest to them that it may be the timing chain, or should I let them tell me what they "found"?

If it's not too late, try to get some close-up pics of the broken parts, there are a few people on the forum here that would really like to see how the parts are breaking on other cars than their own. Thanks