OEM 2006 Dodge Dakota Timing Chain

2006 Dodge Dakota Timing Chain Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Replace a Timing Chain and Its Sprockets on 2006 Dodge Dakota?

  A: You should disconnect the negative cable from the battery and drain your cooling system before removing and installing the timing chain and sprockets. Unfasten the covers of the right and left cylinder heads, remove the radiator fan and turn the engine until the timing mark on the crankshaft damper meets with the TDC mark on the timing chain cover. Be sure the marks on the camshaft sprocket V6 are pointing straight up. After taking out the power steering pump and access plugs from the cylinder heads, oil fill housing, crankshaft damper and timing chain cover, place Special Tool 8428 over the primary tensioner to pin and compress the chain. Next, remove the secondary chain tensioners, camshaft position sensor and camshaft sprocket bolts while holding down the left and right steel tubes with Special Tool 8428. Advance all three sprockets and the tensioner arms to release the primary chain from the links, release the secondary chain, then detach the pivoting tensioner arms and chain guides and finally remove the primary chain tensioner. Check for signs of extra wear on the sprockets, check the idler sprocket assembly for wear and look for scratches or grooves on the chain guides and tensioner arms, the secondary tensioner piston and primary chain tensioner plastic faces. While performing the installation, compress the piston of the secondary chain tensioner and relase the ratchet pawl and then put the primary chain tensioner over the oil pump and tighten its bolts to 28 Nm. Replace the right chain tensioner arm and its Torx bolt, then set up the left chain guide and tensioner and lastly place the chain guide and tensioner on the right, each one tightened to 28 Nm. After putting both side chains on the idler sprocket and adjusting the plated links, match the marks on the primary chain with those on the idler and crankshaft sprockets. Put lubrication on the idler shaft and bushings, fit all the chains and sprockets as a single assembly and check that the camshaft sprockets are lined up with the chain links. Turning Special Tool 6958 to 122 Nm, tighten the camshaft sprocket bolts and then rotate the engine two full revolutions to check the timing marks. Coat all chains with engine oil, examine the movement of the idler gear and whenever necessary, discard and replace the idler gear. Then, finish with putting on the timing chain cover, crankshaft damper, cylinder head covers and oil fill housing, making sure you seal the surface of the correct threaded plug on the cylinder head with sealant before you install it. With a torque wrench, tighten the larger, threaded access plug to 81 Nm, attach the access plug to the left cylinder head, fit the power steering pump again, top up the cooling system and connect the negative battery cable.