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2003 Dodge Intrepid: with the 2.7l..it started smoking..head gasket

 
Mopar Certified's Avatar
  • Answered by:Mopar Certified
  • Dodge Technician
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Customer Question

I have a 2003 Dodge Intrepid with the 2.7l. I bought it from a friend that said it started smoking. She thinks its a head gasket. I charged the battery tried to start it. It started for a second the stopped. Won't start again. Oil is good, not milky. Where do I start to get this running. 86k on car.

 

Country: United States
Make: Dodge
Model: Intrepid SE
Year: 2003
Engine: 2.7l

Submitted: 337 days and 22 hours ago.
Category: Dodge
Value: $38
Status: CLOSED
Picture
Expert:  Mopar Certified replied 337 days and 22 hours ago.

Welcome to Just Answer Dodge my name isXXXXX don't know your automotive experience level, so I may have to ask questions of you before I can help.

So, the engine cranks over normally, but just won't start? Is that correct?

If you unplug the cam sensor, will it start if you let it crank over for 10 seconds or more?

Customer replied 337 days and 22 hours ago.

Yes the engine cranks over normally but won't start. Where is the cam sensor located?

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Expert:  Mopar Certified replied 337 days and 21 hours ago.

The cam sensor is on the front of the cylinder head. The head nearest the front of the car and on the front..........above the belts.

Customer replied 337 days and 21 hours ago.

I disconnected the cam sensor and cranked the motor over. After about 10 seconds the motor sounded different. It wanted to start but did not.

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Expert:  Mopar Certified replied 337 days and 21 hours ago.

Ok good. So, that is likely a sign that your timing chain has jumped time.

When the cam and crank sensor signals go out of time it confuses the PCM and it can't decide what to do but by disconnecting the cam sensor you force the PCM to rely on just the crank sensor to try and get the engine started.

Depending on how far out of time the engine is sometimes it will start and sometimes it won't. The fact that it sounded like it was trying harder to start, supports the out of time theory.

So, the next step would be to pull the timing cover off and visually line up your timing marks.

I hope this information is helpful and let me know if you need further assistance with this.

Customer replied 337 days and 21 hours ago.

Please tell me how to line up these timing marks and how to remove the cover. I've never done it before

Picture
Expert:  Mopar Certified replied 337 days and 20 hours ago.

These are the steps necessary to get the timing cover off.

  1. Disconnect negative cable from remote jumper terminal.
  2. Remove upper radiator support crossmember.
  3. Remove radiator fan.
  4. Remove accessory drive belts.
  5. Remove crankshaft vibration damper.
  6. Remove power steering pump from mounting bracket.
  7. Remove accessory drive belt tensioner pulley and bracket.
  8. Remove timing chain cover attaching bolts and remove cover

Once the cover is off, rotate the crank until your crank mark is line up as follows and if the cam marks are out 180*, then go around one more time on the crank.

 

CLICK HERE for a diagram.

 

I hope this information is helpful and let me know if you need further assistance with this.

 

 

 

 

Customer replied 337 days and 19 hours ago.

I clicked on the download button but nothing happens? I need a diagram

Picture
Expert:  Mopar Certified replied 337 days and 19 hours ago.

You may have a security feature activated on your PC that is preventing the download. I can download it just fine from that website.

Have a look and see if there is something preventing the download on your particular machine.

I hope this information is helpful and let me know if you need further assistance with this.

Actually, I have found one online, so go to this link.....

http://0.tqn.com/w/experts/Chrysler-Repair-807/2009/02/mark_1.gif


Mopar Certified41036.0549808681

Customer replied 337 days and 19 hours ago.

I see the diagram. So when I take the cover off the timing marks should not be right? Do I have to take the chain off to reset it?

Accepted Answer

Picture
Expert:  Mopar Certified replied 337 days and 19 hours ago.

That is correct..........if the marks don't look like the pic, then the timing has jumped.

If in fact the timing has jumped, you will need to replace the chain, the tensioner and the guides due to wear that allowed the chain to jump in the first place.

This is not an easy job and the slightest error when reassembling everything can bend the valves when you try and start this. Just a word of caution!

I hope this information is helpful and let me know if you need further assistance with this.

Expert TypeDodge Technician
Category: Dodge
Pos. Feedback: 98.2 %
Accepts: 5745
Answered: 5/7/2012

Experience: 24 Year Chrysler/Dodge Certified Specialist

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