Anyone know how this can happen?

[MR.T.]

My Dakota pickup was getting worked on, they got everything together & running well, then "took it for a test drive" & this happened.

I've never seen or heard of anything like this. Any ideas what could have caused this.

 

[PBramble]

First thing I'd check is the oil level. Could have been a seized piston or crank bearing. If thats all good, I'd look for a dropped valve.

 

[sh00ter]

Chinese timing gear? Mechanic used a BFH to install it? Timing chain to tight?

Never seen that so these are just guesses.

 

[HiredHand]

Did it lock up or was it just a cam gear failure? I'm assuming it's not a metal gear, the non-metal ones do fail from time to time.

 

[Rez Exelon]

It's called getting a visit from the "they broke it they buy it" fairy.

 

[sklfco]

I have seen lose a lose nut/bolt go through gear trains and cause similar damage.
+1 on the “they broke it, they own it”

 

[MR.T.]

T

I have seen lose a lose nut/bolt go through gear trains and cause similar damage.
+1 on the “they broke it, they own it”

This is kinda what I'm thinking. Original timing components. All metal stuff. Lasted just fine for 32 years. They did some work on the top end of the engine, but never had to get into this area. Everything still rotates, just changed oil 2 weeks prior to this.
It's a mystery

 

[PBramble]

They did some work on the top end of the engine
It's a mystery

Nope, not even a mystery. Did you check that the valves are indeed still in place? Did they adjust the lash? You don't need to get into the timing set to bind the cam enough to break a gear.

 

[MR.T.]

All the valves are still in place. I'll need to tell them to make sure no bent valves or pushrods.
This is a Mopar, so there is no individual valve lash adjustment.
The put new valve stem seals in, but I'm wondering if something got left under the intake & it made its way to the chain & gear.

 

[cowadle]

probably put a long bolt in the water pump or some other accy that contacted the timing gear.