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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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11/09/2004
21:56:47
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 Subject: time to replace timing chain?
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My 95 CC 4x4 3.9L Auto has been suffering from bad gas milage for a few months. It has 144k miles. I've replaced the usual suspects, tune-up, oxygen sensor, etc. It has been idling rough. Although the idle is not out of spec and no code thrown, the truck shakes noticably, doesn't matter if in part, drive, neutral, hot or cold. This happens most of the time now vs some of the time a few weeks ago. The places i've taken it have said that the engine checks out fine on the diagnostic machine. The last place suggested I have the exhause checked out, today i did and the cat is good (was installed in jan of this year).
After reading some other posts, it could be the timing chain is going out. The rattling seems to be getting louder over the past couple of days. Unfortunately this week I won't have the time to crawl under to try to locate the origin of the noise, but it's definately the engine compartment. My question, could this cause bad gas milage?
I'm running out of things to replace and the shops i've taken it to have not been very helpful for suggestions. The last time I had it to the dealer was 2 months ago, though the rattling existed then, it was not as noticable as today. And I'm not certain either of them checked specifically for the timeing chain.
- Dan M
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Try this
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2004
19:23:43
| RE: time to replace timing chain?
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Dan, usually when a timing gear set like those in a 3.9, 5.2, 5.9 are on their last leg the timing mark when checked with a timing light will "float" back and forth. I have seen them move as much as 4 degrees either way, it is a reflection of the slop in the chain and gears. Another way to check is to rotate the engine back and forth with a breaker bar and socket while watching the distributor, when there is a lot of play you will have a delay in the movement of the rotor.
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furball69
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2004
05:48:15
| RE: time to replace timing chain?
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might want to check this out. hard to believe taht an air cleaner can cause a vibration like described but it's something to check into.
http://www.dodgedakota.net/boards/gen/19381.html
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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11/13/2004
17:45:30
| RE: time to replace timing chain?
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I had my chain replaced last month at 134k miles. It had a rattle to it, and throttle lag. Now it runs great, quiet, but gas mileage is exactly the same.
I'd look for vacuum leaks - at hoses and at the TB and intake manifold gaskets.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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11/14/2004
00:03:10
| RE: time to replace timing chain?
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I do know it is past time to change the timing chain. I had the truck into another shop this morning. Once again, they say the computer shows no problems with the engine. But the guy did say there were 2 sounds from the engine. 1 a clicking and 1 a rattling. One of these is the timing chain. However, they wanted to charge me over $600 to fix it. This shop said in order for them to find the cause of the problems, they need to take the engine apart. He suggested i just get a new engine.
This thanksgiving weekend, I'm going to visit the inlaws. I'll be taking the truck to an "old school" mechanic, and a friend of the family. I think people rely too much on computers to diagnose the problems.
- Dan M
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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11/14/2004
19:24:41
| RE: time to replace timing chain?
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Yup. But feel good about the $600 - it was $995 from the dealer, not including the water pump that I had them replace as a precaution.
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