🔧 Charger - Timing Belt (Clarification) & Timing Chain Replacement

Your Charger’s 5.7L HEMI does not use a timing belt—it uses a timing chain. If you’re trying to fix a rattle on cold start, timing-related fault codes, or high-mile wear, the repair you want is a timing chain/tensioner/guide service.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 6-10 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cold engine; hot coolant can burn.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before starting.
• ⚠️ Support the car securely on jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear when rotating the crankshaft; remove the key/fob from the car.
• ⚠️ Do not rotate the crank/cam with the chain removed; timing can jump.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Shop rags
• Plastic trim clip tool
• Serpentine belt tool (specialty)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• Torque wrench (50-250 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set (8mm-24mm)
• Wrench set (8mm-18mm)
• Torx bit set
• Harmonic balancer puller (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer installer (specialty)
• Gasket scraper (plastic)
• Brake cleaner
• RTV silicone (engine oil resistant)
• Funnel
• Cooling system fill funnel (specialty)
• OBD2 scan tool
• Paint marker

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain - Qty: 1
• Timing chain tensioner - Qty: 1
• Timing chain guides - Qty: 1 set
• Timing cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Front crankshaft seal - Qty: 1
• Water pump gasket - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (HOAT/OAT compatible for your Charger) - Qty: 2-3 gallons (mixed as directed)
• Engine oil - Qty: 7 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Disconnect the battery negative terminal using a 10mm socket.
• Raise the front and support with jack stands.
• Plan for fluids: you’ll drain coolant, and it’s smart to do an oil change after opening the timing cover.
• Take photos before removing brackets and bolts.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the intake ducting and upper access parts

• Use an 8mm socket to loosen intake clamps and remove the intake duct/airbox pieces as needed.
• Disconnect any electrical connectors carefully using a plastic trim clip tool.

Step 2: Drain the coolant

• Place a drain pan under the radiator drain.
• Open the drain using the appropriate pliers or hand-turn (varies by radiator style).
• Open the coolant reservoir cap to help it drain faster.

Step 3: Remove the serpentine belt

• Use a serpentine belt tool to rotate the belt tensioner and slip the belt off.
• Draw a belt routing diagram first.

Step 4: Remove front accessory components blocking the timing cover

• Remove the radiator fan/shroud as needed using a socket set (8mm-13mm).
• Remove accessory brackets and any components blocking the timing cover using a socket set (10mm-15mm).
• Set bolts aside in labeled groups (cardboard “bolt map” works great).

Step 5: Remove the harmonic balancer (crank pulley)

• Remove the crank bolt using a 1/2" breaker bar and correct-size socket.
• Use a harmonic balancer puller (specialty) to pull the balancer off evenly.
• Never pry against the timing cover sealing surface.
• Torque to OEM spec (consult factory spec for crank bolt)

Step 6: Remove the timing cover

• Remove timing cover bolts using a socket set (8mm-13mm).
• Break the seal gently with a plastic gasket scraper; do not gouge aluminum.
• Clean mating surfaces using brake cleaner and shop rags.
• Torque to OEM spec (consult factory spec for timing cover bolts)

Step 7: Set the engine to Top Dead Center (TDC) on cylinder 1

• Use a socket and breaker bar on the crank to rotate the engine clockwise.
• Align timing marks on the crank sprocket and cam sprocket(s) as designed.
• Use a paint marker to add your own reference marks on chain/sprockets.
• Only rotate clockwise to keep tension predictable.

Step 8: Remove the timing chain tensioner and guides

• Remove tensioner fasteners using a socket set.
• Remove the chain guides using a socket set.
• Torque to OEM spec (consult factory spec for tensioner/guide bolts)

Step 9: Remove the timing chain and sprockets (if required by your kit)

• Slip the chain off the sprockets carefully by hand.
• If sprockets must be replaced, remove fasteners using a socket set and hold the cam/crank as required.
• Torque to OEM spec (consult factory spec for cam/crank sprocket fasteners)

Step 10: Install the new chain, guides, and tensioner

• Install guides using a torque wrench.
• Install the chain with timing marks aligned exactly to the sprocket marks.
• Install the tensioner last using a torque wrench.
• Torque to OEM spec (consult factory spec for all timing hardware)

Step 11: Verify timing alignment

• Rotate the engine clockwise by hand two full revolutions using a breaker bar.
• Re-check timing marks line up correctly.
• If marks are off, stop and correct before reassembly.

Step 12: Replace the front crank seal and reinstall the timing cover

• Replace the front crank seal from the cover using an appropriate socket as a driver (tap evenly) or seal driver if available.
• Apply a small bead of RTV silicone (engine oil resistant) only where the factory calls for it (typically junction corners).
• Install the timing cover and tighten bolts evenly using a torque wrench.
• Torque to OEM spec (consult factory spec for timing cover and seal areas)

Step 13: Reinstall the harmonic balancer

• Use a harmonic balancer installer (specialty) to press the balancer on straight.
• Install the crank bolt using a torque wrench.
• Torque to OEM spec (consult factory spec for crank bolt procedure)

Step 14: Reinstall accessories, belt, and refill fluids

• Reinstall brackets/components using a socket set and torque wrench.
• Install the serpentine belt using a serpentine belt tool.
• Refill coolant using a funnel and ideally a cooling system fill funnel (specialty) to reduce air pockets.
• Change oil and filter using a socket set and drain pan.

Step 15: Reconnect battery and initial start

• Reconnect the battery negative terminal using a 10mm socket.
• Start the engine and let it idle.
• Check for oil leaks at the timing cover and crank seal area.
• Watch coolant temperature and verify the heater blows hot (helps confirm coolant circulation).

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✅ After Repair

• Use an OBD2 scan tool to check and clear any stored codes, then recheck after a short drive.
• Recheck coolant level after the first full heat cycle and top off as needed.
• Inspect for leaks again the next morning (cold start).
• If you hear a new rattle or get a timing-related code, shut it down and re-check timing alignment.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,500-$3,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$750 (parts only)

You Save: $1,250-$2,250 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 6-10 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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