On Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 11:29:29 PM UTC-5, William R. Walsh wrote:
> Hello all...
>
> Recently, my mother's 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager van (195,575 or so miles
> on the clock) seems to have jumped out of time. It was going down the
> highway at the time, probably about 45-50 miles per hour and it just quit..
> Subsequent examination shows that the engine is very clearly out of time but
> it will try to run, albeit very poorly. This experiment was only attempted
> once, and the engine only ran for about three seconds before stalling. The
> rhythm of the starter motor is also very clearly off.
>
> I read through some old posts here and it seems like the lifespan of the
> chain should be about 200,000 miles. Okay, fine. I won't argue with it over
> 5,000 or so piddly miles. Stuff happens.
>
> What nobody ever seems to say one way or another is whether or not the 3.3L
> V6 engine is an interference engine design or not. People have asked and the
> answer that comes out is "why does it matter, the chain is good up to
> 200,000 miles". Well, that's fine, but if it slips or fails at that magical
> point, one needs to know if the engine can simply be retimed, the chain
> replaced and everything goes on as it did before...or if repairs to bent
> valves and such may be required. That's why it matters!
>
> The van ran fine before this unfortunate incident.
>
> I'd also like to know how much of a job it is to change the timing chain. Is
> there anything in particular to watch out for? Things that should be done
> "while we were in there anyway"? Many thanks to anyone who can shed some
> light on this.
>
> William

do the usual change water pump,chain tensioners,flush coolant.make sure to get the tool that keeps the timing gears from moving.You probably jumped one tooth which wont matter as far as bent valves are concerned.You would have KNOWN by the sound if the valves hit the pistons.Use a socket and wrench to move the #! piston to tdc, before removing chain.