2001 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9. So I can’t find much on this anywhere. I suspect I jumped a tooth on my timing chain. I’m almost to it. I just have to remove the cover. If I did jump a tooth when I rotate the crank to line up the marks on the crank and cam gears, they aren’t going to line up are they? If I’m correct in this assumption, how do I remedy this?

 

Replace the timing chain and gears...... If the marks are off, line them up as best you can, pull the chain and gears, install the crank gear, then rotate the cam the least possible distance to get 'em to line back up.

Bear in mind, the timing chains on these are pretty reliable, though, they do stretch. I have seen one break, but, I haven't seen any jump teeth yet.

 

Soooo, I made it to the timing chain today and yes you are right. It’s just stretched really bad. Am I correct in guessing that if I had jumped a tooth, then my engine would have been screwed?

 

This is a video I shot of how loose it is but I don’t know if this site will allow video, so we will see lol


Nope can’t do video I guess.

 

Have to post it to YouTube and link it here

 

Ok cool, thanks for the info.

 

As was mentioned, it is very rare for these motors to jump a tooth on the timing chain and gears. I've only seen it happen once many years ago with the plastic coated gears, when the plastic wore/cracked away from the gears. Even if it did jump a tooth, the motor wouldn't run or would just run badly.