Timing Chain broke after engine rebuild?

JSNODGRASS

MEMBER
2012 DODGE CHALLENGER
5.7L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
145,000 MILES

A few days ago, my timing chain broke on my car listed above. The car has been kept in excellent health (scheduled oil changes, tune ups, repairs, etc.). In 2022, my mechanic replaced the head gaskets, PCV valve and lifter assemblies. I'm wondering if when they were doing this rebuild, could they have not made correct adjustments to the timing chain? Should the timing chain have been inspected when they did the rebuild in 2022? I spent $6k on the rebuild in 2022, and now they are telling me I need to replace the entire engine, and they are quoting me the full price (about $10k). I feel like I'm not being treated properly.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

Yep, that was a bad foresight by the mechanic, they should have done the timing chain when the head gasket job was done. Now the valves are bent and possibly broken pistons. It is common to do the timing chain at the same time as the head gasket. That is the way my shop did the repairs especially for 6g's.