Hi, new to the forum, just picked up a 2001 Durango with engine problems. Sure sounds like the timing chains have skipped. Is this a problem with these motors? It has 135K miles on it. Wondering where is the cheapest place to buy a new timing kit?

Also, the Durango is complete except one thing is missing form the motor, and not being familiar with these things, I dont knwo what it is. There is a machined "hole" in the block, below the #8 piston, looks like it goes straight into the crank case. It is slinging oil out on to the exhaust. There is a wire lead present and a small bolt there to hold whatever it is in place. Thoughts? I knwo this is a strange question, just trying to get familiar with this motor.

I will have many more qquestions to come, as my experience has been with old Buicks in the past, but always up for a new challenege.

Thanks,
Jon

 

What motor are we talking about?


Sounds like the crankshaft sensor has been removed causing all the issues. There would be no timming without it.

 

hydra it says in the title he has a 4.7

and yea i agree with hydra it sounds like the crankshaft position sensor is missing, but take a pic of the hole and a pic of the engine to show us where the hole is, that would help us to narrow it down

 

I went and looked up a pic of a crank sensor and that is definately what the hole and mounting tab appear to be. Going to pick one up after work and try it out. Sure makes sense. I am surpirsed it still runs though??? I remember my 97 Dakota 3.9 would not fire when I pinched the wires in between the bellhousing and the engine. It must have been removed from the prior owner of the car as a futile attempt to diagnose it. I did find that the plugs were not firing on 3 cylinders because the electrode was completely gone from wear (Sounds like the motor was really taken care of.....). I am hoping that the fouled plugs caused him to remove the crank sensor and after its replaced it runs good. Dont want to get the hopes up though. So how often to the timing chains need replaced on these motors? Its the 4.7L with 135K on it.

Thanks guys, appreciate the help and great advice.

Jon

 

If it has 135k miles and has not been maintained very well. I would suggest to do an engine flush with the stuff made from "gunk". I'll almost bet that it's prob sludged up underneath the valve cover. Also I know that with GM the timing chains last to 250k miles or more.

 

Ok, the crank sensor made a world of difference (as expected) and it is now firing on all cylinders. A problem still exists now where it sounds like a socket has been left on the valve train. Does not sound like a rod/crank coming apart, has a very distincting chatter. I will pull the valve covers off of it tonight and see what I see. From history, do these motors have any problems with the rocker arms coming apart or undone? I am trying to diagnose this thing before I pull it out (if I have to). Appreciate the help guys, these boards are invaluable, and its great to share knowledge.

Thanks,
Jon

 

Yep, the lifters/pushrods will go bad (this is prob the chatter your hearing). Once mine went bad it caused one of the rocker arms to pop off, and the D ran like crap.

 

The timing chains should be fine.

Just flush the motor with Seafoam or similar product and install Fully Synthetic 10W-30. I like Mobil 1. Get a Mopar filter both avalible at your local Wal-mart and you can even get 5 quart containers for cheap. About $30 bucks a chaing. Install Champion Regular Copper Plugs....Yea the 2$ specials, Champion Truck Plugs, or Champion Iridium Plugs ONLY!

 

I tend to agree Hydra, I think the chains are actually fine. I popped the valve covers off last night and boy is it clean in there. I mean not an ounce of crud or gunk. I expected worse..... Makes me think it was recently rebuilt? My suspicion is that I have a lifter failing completely, not pressurizing at all. I am going to fire it up this evening with the valve covers off (messy I am sure!!!) and use a stethescope to listen for the noise.

By the way, I love the avator picture. Can see that on a gas tank of a custom bike!

Thanks,
Jon

 

Well you lucked up then. To check the lifters, pull each one out and pull on the pushrod tip looking thing. If it pops in and out then it's bad and needs to be replaced. All of mine were doing it, just some alot worse than others.