Picked up a 2001 Dakota with the 4.7 magnum engine in it. Was told that the vehicle needs a timing chain. Bought it cheap and it isn't running. No codes thrown and it cranks over but no start.
I am hoping that there is no damage to the valves if the timing jumped. Any suggestions where to start ?

Thanks

Pete

 

Pull the valve covers, see if the cams are turning.

 

I plan on doing that. Just want to make sure the valves didn't get slammed by the pistons and are not bent. I would assume the only way to tell if they are bent would be to pull the heads.

 

You can pull the valve covers and turn the engine by hand (clockwise). I believe you'll need to take the timing cover off to fully checking timing via marks but see what's under the covers first. Might be a rocker or two got ejected and you just need some lifters.

 

Thanks. I'll start with the valve covers and report back. May take me a week or so to get to it though. Got to get the older to moved back to college !!!

 

The 4.7l isn't an interference engine. No need to worry about bent valves. If its overheated the valve seats can fall out due to expansion though.

 

The factory service manual says that if the timing is off by more than a couple degrees, that the valves can hit the piston. I also saw a video on YouTube that confirmed that the valves can hit the piston. If I am wrong, I am wrong. Actually hoping I am wrong !

Pete

 

The couple degrees is not accurate even if it was an interference engine. Your timing will have some degree of natural slop in it depending on RPM and wear. If they made them that tight the engine would be dead the first time you gave it gas. I'm seeing mixed results online but I can say with about 75% certainty that it is not an interference engine. As for your actual issue. Are you certain its timing? The engine cranking but not starting is usually a fueling/spark or crank sensor issue. Is there a reason you suspect timing?

 

Yes it is.

 

Just going by what the previous owner was told by the owners before him. But I’m not sure if he knew.
I’m going to pull the valve covers and see what the timing chain looks like and if it is out of time. Then go from there. I don’t want to crank the engine a bunch for fear if it is out of time, I don’t want to bend the valves.