2.4 timing belt broke

[Lt Mao]

I have a 2004 TJ with the 2.4L. Engine cut while my son was driving it on the highway. Had it towed it home and pulled OBD codes P1391 and P0340 (cam sensor). Bought a new sensor, started to install it, pulled the cam cover and not surprisingly, there is no belt there. Exhaust side cam is 180 degrees out of sync with the intake side. Is this a clear indicator that valves are bent?

 

[Gilaguy23]

Ive never tore one down but according to the Mopar FSM the 2.4 is a non interference engine. But...apparently the valves can hit each other if the 2 cams are spun independently of each other.

 

[Lt Mao]

Yes, I've read that too. I was hoping to not have to install a new timing belt/water pump kit and put it back together just to verify that I've got valve damage.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

You could set the crank at 90* and manually rotate each of the cams to close off cylinders and test with a leakdown test set... might give you an idea... or bore-scope it.

 

[Gilaguy23]

You could set the crank at 90* and manually rotate each of the cams to close off cylinders and test with a leakdown test set... might give you an idea... or bore-scope it.

Yeppers..what he said.

 

[Fluxor]

I dropped a belt on my wife’s old 04 Liberty 4cyl manual, replaced the belt and ran perfect. Just make sure you get the timing gears lined up. Ask me how I know lol.