2000 Dodge Durango timing or compression problem

Tiny
JOHNSEED
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I have a 5.9L dodge. I recently replaced the water pump and mistakenly put a long bolt back into a short bolt hole. I realized the mistake when the bolt bottomed out. I fixed the error and after reassembling the parts, started the truck. It seemed to run fine except there was a loud knocking inside the motor. I shut it off after a few seconds and tried to restart but it just seemed to spin freely and didn't even try to start. I tore down the engine and found the camshaft timing gear broken and about 1/4 of it lying on top of the crank timing gear. I replaced the gears and chain, set the timing according to the haynes manual with the dots lining up and reassembled everything. Now the motor turns but won't fire or even try. I checked compression and get a zero on a tester. I am getting spark but no compression. I am afraid when the gear broke it jumped time (which is probably a given) but in doing so, caused issues inside the engine like bend valves or something. What can I do from here? Should I try something else or begin looking for another engine? Its hard to believe one simple bolt could trash the entire engine.
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 AT 9:13 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
I don't think the engine it trashed. Now what I would do first is go back to basics. It may be that the cam it not in line or something like that. This isn't an interference engine. So line up you timing marks so that you are on number on cylinder and check that the distributor lines up with number one on the cap. Here is a pic of the firing order so you know where number one should be.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/249564_Graphic_149.jpg

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Thursday, October 29th, 2009 AT 10:40 AM

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