I took apart a customers 12 valve 98 B5.9 and the cam gear was cracked and loose. I was able to pull it off by hand ( and put it back on again ) I replaced the KDP problem a few years back, installing a new timing cover. I started by looking for a oil leak on the front of the engine. I found a crack on the steel timing cover. On removing it i found wear marks on it from the the cam gear on it.

Has anyone had this problem before?

Al

 

I haven't had it happen to me but have seen a timing gear crack caused by an escaped dowel pin. I was hard to see but if left unchecked I'm sure the gear would have eventually fell apart.
It's one more reason I don't believe in a J-B Weld or silicon fix for a cracked case.

 

Did you have any missing inner gear housing bolts? This will cause the same thing as the KDP and seems to happen about as frequently as the dowel pin itself.

 

Jeff has a 98 12 V in the shop now with a cam gear that was held on be the key way and timing cover. The cover came off the the gear did too. A tight fit and key way is all the holds it on anyway. The gear was spinning on the cover. But then here's a 20 year old kid the broke a con o fe in a stock truck. Go figure.

..Preston..