We were coming home from fishing and the truck just died.Almost like is was out of gas. tried to start but loud knocking made me stop.Hoped it was timing chain trouble, or something that could be fixed without total engine rebuild. got to the chains andlooked good.removed pass. side valve cover and #2intake rocker was just laying there. do the lash adj. go bad like that or will i have new surprise below the head, cana bad lash adjuster cause the timing chain to jump out of time.will remove other side tomorrow and check timing and all parts. please help. I'm an aircraft mech. and use manuals well, but no exp. in this area. thanks.

 

welcome to df...

1st off, merry christmas... http://www.jameskowalski.com/Dodge/2...dge_Dakota.pdf

2nd, I have had a rocker pop off but it was not an overhead cam'd motor. putting the rocker back on fixed my problem. fix the rocker and fire it back up... if the knocking is still there then you'll have to look deeper.

 

Thank you, Happy new year. I did some more work on it today and tried to reinstall rocker arm, but I believe the valve is not coming all the way up. camis not riding on the roller the whole time, valve and spring are failing to return to top position.Is this a guide problem, can I fix it with out removing the head. I check the piston movement and it seems rod is alright. I hope you have an easy fix idea, I need to start removing trans in my suburban. If this is how retirement is going to be I quit lol.

 

sounds like a busted valve spring to me, is the top of the spring returning to the fully extended position?

 

No it does not appear to be returning all the way.

 

Would the one rocker arm coming off due to broken spring cause it to sputter out like it did. I did not really even try to start it after it died, just a quick second. I did not want to cause any more damage. Should I continue looking for more issues, Remove other valve cover and all.

 

yes absolutely... if the valve broke or the spring broke, you'd have it banging up against the piston. you'll have to yank the head to swap the valve. Remember the head is aluminum so wrench gently and dont strip anything.

 

Thank you very much, I will get on it right now.So many hoses and lines to deal with, not like my 73 custom20 Chevy. I can get inwith the engine and still have roomHAHA. I'm getting use to it, I'm beginning to enjoy learning about the new technology, MODS and having the time to do it at a pace that isn't stressful. I think I will stay retired. I will post the results tomorrow, or ask for more help!!! thank you very much. You have a good day sir.

 

your welcome, dont forget to download the manual...