2003 Dodge Intrepid Timing chain

DARRELLF22

MEMBER
2003 DODGE INTREPID

2003 Dodge Intrepid 6 cyl 90000 miles

My son and I are changing the water pump on his 2003 Intrepid with the 2.7L engine. After we had taken the timing chain off the cam sprockets he rotated the crankshaft approx. 1/4 turn clockwise in an attempt to get the chain off the crankshaft sprocket before I stopped him. My questions are: what are the chances that he has already caused damage by rotating the crankshaft that far? Is there a way to determine if damage was caused without removing the heads? Thank you for whatever information you can provide.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,881 POSTS

If he turned the crankshaft by hand, the engine would have locked up if a piston hit an open valve. It's hard to bend a valve by hand.

An effective way to check for valve damage is to reinstall the chain, bring each cylinder to TDC, one at a time, then perform a cylinder leakage test. That involves forcing compressed air into the spark plug hole and observinng where it comes out.

1. Tail pipe - bent exhaust valve
2. Throttle body - bent intake valve
3. Oil fill cap - worn piston rings
4. Bubbles in coolant reservoir - leaking head gasket

caradiodoc