Timing chain failure on the Dodge Challenger

[LexHemi]

Sorry I've taken so long to get back on here and post an update. I've been traveling a lot lately and just haven't made the time. My car was returned to me after 13 days. The dealer/shop ended up replacing 8 intake and 8 exhaust valves (along with the timing chain and tensioner of course...) Since I was away from home when the timing chain broke I rented a car (one way) to drive home. I contacted customer service about reimbersing me for the 2 days of rental car and they objected to the amount of the rental (my daily rate exceeded the $30 allowable because it was a one way rental) and they said they only allow you to rent a chrysler vehicle. I laughed at the guy and asked him how I have any control over what vehicles a rental car company has in its fleet or on the lot I happen to be trying to rent from. He said he would waive that requirement this time. They did send me a check for $60. My car seems to be running good. I did find some nice scratches in the fenders around the engine bay. It looks like the shops fender covers were grinding into the paint while the mechanics were working on it. I'll have to get them buffed out. So I guess we are to believe that this is just a fluke. An unlucky bolt of lightening. I'm more inclined to think that there is a plastic mold out there that has an ejector pin that occasionally over strikes while ejecting the tensioner part. The weakened part looks visually fine but fails later. The numbers are low enough that Dodge can wait and replace the ones that do fail. Who really knows? I know it was not caused by how I drive or service my car. The idiots who made those types of posts on this thread really need to back off and quit assuming that they know everything or that anyone out here values that type of input. I still love my car. The timing chain (or tensioner) should not have failed at 22,000 miles.

[crow]

Originally Posted by 70barcuda

Unless there is something wong with a batch of timing chains, I really have a hard time believing that there is a major problem here. Timing chains on V8 motors have been around for a while so to think that suddenly Dodge can't build a V8 and make it work with a timing chain, seems like a strectch to me.

Yeah, and drywall has been around just as long, until we started importing it from China.

[CThomas]

Good afternoon to all...

Yesterday, I was cruising along at the speed limit (it's the truth!) in my 2010 R/T when it quit on me. I had to have it towed to the local dealership for service. I just found out it was my timing chain that snapped. And mine had barely 14k miles...
Reading the other stories in this thread, tells me they'll have it in the shop for a bit longer...oh well. They did loan me a brand new 2012 Journey...

[Mark052]

Sorry to hear about your car. Hopefully you won't have to wait long to get your car back good as new....er, hopefully better than new.
As for the timing chain breakage, this is getting to be too common of an issue for my comfort. I definitely don't have that warm fuzzy feeling inside when reading these posts.
CThomas, does your car have the auto or manual transmission?

[MellowYellow]

Another one with a timing chain failure. Yours automatic as well I presume.
Keep us posted on the damage and repairs.
Man if I see/hear of one more gone I'm getting rid of this car.This is no longer a freak or slight hiccup of these problems.

[CThomas]

Originally Posted by Mark052

Sorry to hear about your car. Hopefully you won't have to wait long to get your car back good as new....er, hopefully better than new.
As for the timing chain breakage, this is getting to be too common of an issue for my comfort. I definitely don't have that warm fuzzy feeling inside when reading these posts.
CThomas, does your car have the auto or manual transmission?

'Mark052'

I appreciate the concern over my ride. I do hope that's cleared up soon. I hate to admit it but I do miss my RT already! For what it's worth, the people over at Westside Motors have been fantastic to deal with. I have no doubt we'll getting 'er resolved sooner than later.
Sorry I forgot to mention mine is an automatic ...

[Big Daddy's R/T]

Sounds like Dodge needs to man up here and maybe look into this with a recall.

[CThomas]

'MELLOWYELLOW' -

Will do! When I called over there this morning, they were just diagnosing the issue as being the timing chain. They also mentioned they were seeking guidance from Chrysler on how to proceed. I'm certainly not trying to start a stampede here; I just want to add a little weight behind this thread in hopes that the issue will be given some closer scrutiny (I.e. what 'Big Daddy's R/T's suggested).

[sean65]

Originally Posted by CThomas

Good afternoon to all...

Yesterday, I was cruising along at the speed limit (it's the truth!) in my 2010 R/T when it quit on me. I had to have it towed to the local dealership for service. I just found out it was my timing chain that snapped. And mine had barely 14k miles...
Reading the other stories in this thread, tells me they'll have it in the shop for a bit longer...oh well. They did loan me a brand new 2012 Journey...

Were there any signs of anything strange happening before the chain snapped? Funky idle, strange surging, hiccups, anything? I'm just wondering if the tensioner was catching or if the chain had any kind of kinks in it?

[CThomas]

Originally Posted by sean65

Were there any signs of anything strange happening before the chain snapped? Funky idle, strange surging, hiccups, anything? I'm just wondering if the tensioner was catching or if the chain had any kind of kinks in it?

'Sean65',

There were absolutely no indicators something was going to happen. I lost immediate power and the check engine light came on. I also didn't hear any piston/valve noise afterwards. Considering I was going highway speeds, I'm thinking the worse...