I have a 2000 Ram 1500 4x4 5.2L. I want to know when to replace an how to tell if there is a problem with my timing chain. When the timing chain has slack what does it do.. I have never read into it. My truck runs fine but want to know symtoms for the furture.

 

Well, I noticed the symptoms after I replaced it, if that makes sense.

After I replaced it I noticed a much smoother idle that did not stumble at all, where before I would have the occasional shake or shimmy out of the engine. Also, I noticed that the truck reacted much quicker to stepping on hte pedal, there was less delay in the throttle response. Engine seemed a little peppier too.

I'd honestly say if you've got over 80K on it, change it. Mine had as much slack in it at 75K as dhvaughan had at 130K. The symptoms might have creeped in so slowly that you won't notice that they are there until you've fixed it.

 

Just posted this earlier in another thread regarding the same question, hope it helps:


Dodge Ram 1500 3.9/5.2/5.9
[align=right] [/align] CHECKING THE TIMING CHAIN SLACK
NOTE: This procedure applies to all models that use a timing chain. [ol][*]Position a scale (ruler of straightedge) next to the timing chain to detect any movement in the chain.[*]Place a torque wrench and socket on the camshaft sprocket attaching bolt. If the cylinder heads are installed on the engine, apply 30 ft. lbs. (41 Nm). If the heads are removed, apply 15 ft. lbs. (20 Nm) of force to the bolt and rotate the bolt in the direction of crankshaft rotation in order to remove all slack from the chain.[*]While applying torque to the camshaft sprocket bolt, the crankshaft should not be allowed to rotate. It may be necessary to block the crankshaft to prevent its rotation.[*]Position the scale over the edge of a timing chain link and apply an equal amount of torque in the opposite direction. If the movement of the chain exceeds 1�8 in.(3mm), replace the chain. [/ol]

 

My truck I been trying to fix a mis in the eng. I have done a full tune up and have the miss. I cleand the fuel inj. and TB and have a miss. So I let a shop look at it he said the time need to be set.I have him to set it. Help a littel but have a mis. I call Dan who I buy the truck from. He said about 60,000mi He have to put a timing set on and he said the mpg go up littel when he put a new one on. I have Start to do a timing job but get rain out I have over a 1in. of play in it. yes a 1in of play. my mpg went from 22 to11 in 6mo. The last time the timing set be put on about 75,000mi go. oh my ram have 420,000mi on the truck and 3.9 v6 eng. 4x2 MT
Have a good day Tom

 

with these trucks, i'd say they generally need a timing chain somewhere around 100,000 miles, or 5-7 years old, or whenever the water pump goes out, or whenever you fix the leaking plenum... (or any combination of the above).

 

I'll second that entire statement. Mine happened to fail right after I replaced the water pump (109,000 miles), when I was starting the engine to look for leaks. So guess what, the water pump had to come back out. [&:]

Some trucks also have a ticking noise that comes from the timing chain area when they start to wear out.

 

My 96 has 211k miles on the original timing chain. I guess I need to think about changing it. The mileage in the 96 has always been 16.5 MPG. I don't notice any symptoms other than a pause when you stomp on the pedal.

 

Might as well change it soon then.. I did a water pump about 10k ago an never thought to do it.

 

if its running fine and there are no obvious problem (like it being so loose its slapping the cover), then i'd leave it alone. whenever something else goes wrong, like wp, plenum, front seal, water leak, etc, then i'd replace it.

 

Hey, I found those pics finally!&amp\\;nbsp\\; Here’s how loose mine was at 75K:&lt\\;br&gt\\;&lt\\;br&gt\\;&lt\\;br&gt\\;

[IMG]local://upfiles/68540/A5601205D64A469B8DD20B2EDFFAB71C.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/68540/E0B676E42895408490D400BB2E02EABA.jpg[/IMG]