2000 DODGE NEON timing

INSPECT CYLINDER HEAD FOR THE FOLLOWING:
NOTE:
²Check oil feed holes for blockage.
²Inspect cylinder head camshaft bearings for
wear, Refer to Cylinder Head, Inspection and Clean-
ing.
²Check camshaft bearing journals for scratches
and worn areas. If light scratches are present, they
may be removed with 400 grit sand paper. If deep
scratches are present, replace the camshaft and
check the cylinder head for damage. Replace the
cylinder head if worn or damaged. Check the lobes
for pitting and wear. If the lobes show signs of
wear, check the corresponding rocker arm roller for
wear or damage. Replace rocker arm/hydraulic lash
adjuster if worn or damaged. If lobes show signs of
pitting on the nose, flank or base circle; replace the
camshaft.
INSTALLATION
(1) Lubricate the camshaft journals with oil and
install camshaftwithoutrocker arm assemblies
installed.
(2) Install camshaft target magnet into the end of
the camshaft. Tighten mounting screw to 3.4 N´m (30
in. lbs.).
(3) Install camshaft position sensor and tighten
mounting screws to 9 N´m (80 in. lbs.).
(4) Measure camshaft end play using the following
procedure:
(a) Mount dial indicator C-3339 or equivalent, to
a stationary point on cylinder head (Fig. 46).
(b) Using a suitable tool, move camshaft to rear-
ward limits of travel.
(c) Zero the dial indicator.
(d) Move camshaft forward to limits of travel
and read dial indicator.
(e) End play travel: 0.13±0.33 mm (0.005±0.013
in.).
(5) Install front camshaft seal. Camshaft must be
installed before the camshaft seal is installed. Refer
to procedure in this section.
(6) Install cylinder head. Refer to procedure in this
section.
(7) Install rear timing belt cover.
(8) Install camshaft sprocket and tighten to 115
N´m (85 ft. lbs.).
(9) Install timing belt tensioner and timing belt.
Refer to procedures in this section.
(10) Install rocker arm assemblies in correct order
as removed. Tighten the rocker arm assemblies in
sequence shown in (Fig. 47) to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
(11) Install cylinder head cover and tighten fasten-
ers to 12 N´m (105 in. lbs.).(12) Install ignition coil and spark plug cables.
Tighten ignition coil fasteners to 12 N´m (105 in.
lbs.).
(13) Perform camshaft and crankshaft timing
relearn procedure as follows:
²Connect the DRB scan tool to the data link
(diagnostic) connector. This connector is located in
the passenger compartment; at the lower edge of
instrument panel; near the steering column.
²Turn the ignition switch on and access the ªmis-
cellaneousº screen.
²Select ªre-learn cam/crankº option and follow
directions on DRB screen.
ROCKER ARM/HYDRAULIC LASH ADJUSTER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove cylinder head cover. Refer to procedure
in this section.
(2) Identify the rocker arm shaft assemblies before
removal.
(3) Loosen the attaching fasteners. Remove rocker
arm shaft assemblies from cylinder head.
(4) Identify the rocker arms spacers and retainers
for reassembly. Disassemble the rocker arm assem-
blies by removing the attaching bolts from the shaft
(Fig. 48).
Fig. 46 Camshaft End Play
Fig. 47 Rocker Arm Shaft Tightening Sequence
9 - 34 2.0L SOHC ENGINEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(5) Slide the rocker arms and spacers off the shaft.
Keep the spacers and rocker arms in the same loca-
tion for reassembly.
NOTE: Inspect the rocker arm for scoring, wear on
the roller or damage to the rocker arm (Fig. 49)
Replace if necessary. Check the location where the
rocker arms mount to the shafts for wear or dam-
age. Replace if damaged or worn. The rocker arm
shaft is hollow and is used as a lubrication oil duct.
Check oil holes for clogging with small wire, clean
as required. Lubricate the rocker arms and spacers.
Install onto shafts in their original position (Fig. 48).
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Set crankshaft to 3 notches before TDC
before installing rocker arm shafts. Refer to Timing
Belt System and Camshaft Seal Service of this sec-
tion for procedure.
(1) Install rocker arm/hydraulic lash adjuster
assembly making sure that adjusters are at least
partially full of oil. This is indicated by little or no
plunger travel when the lash adjuster is depressed. If
there is excessive plunger travel. Place the rocker
arm assembly into clean engine oil and pump the
plunger until the lash adjuster travel is taken up. If
travel is not reduced, replace the assembly. Hydraulic
lash adjuster and rocker arm are serviced as an
assembly.(2) Install rocker arm and shaft assemblies with
NOTCH in the rocker arm shafts pointing up and
toward the timing belt side of the engine (Fig. 50).
Install the retainers in their original positions on the
exhaust and intake shafts (Fig. 48).
CAUTION: When installing the intake rocker arm
shaft assembly be sure that the plastic spacers do
not interfere with the spark plug tubes. If the spac-
ers do interfere rotate until they are at the proper
angle. To avoid damaging the spark plug tubes, do
not attempt rotating the spacers by forcing down
the shaft assembly.
(3) Tighten bolts to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.) in
sequence shown in (Fig. 51).
(4) Install cylinder head cover. Refer to procedures
in this section.
Fig. 48 Rocker Arm Shaft Assemblies
1 ± EXHAUST ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY
2 ± PLASTIC SHAFT SPACERS
3 ± INTAKE ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY
4 ± ROCKER ARM SHAFT RETAINERS
Fig. 49 Rocker Arm Assemblies
1 ± EXHAUST ROCKER ARM
2 ± HYDRAULIC LASH ADJUSTERS
3 ± INTAKE ROCKER ARM
4 ± ROLLERS
Fig. 50 Rocker Arm Shaft Notches
1 ± NOTCHES FACING UP AND TOWARD THE TIMING BELT
SIDE OF THE ENGINE
PL2.0L SOHC ENGINE 9 - 35
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

CYLINDER HEAD
REMOVAL
(1) Perform fuel system pressure release procedure
before attempting any repairs.Refer to Group 14,
Fuel System
(2) Disconnect negative battery cable.
(3) Remove power steering/air conditioning drive
belt. Refer to Group 7, Cooling System Accessory
Drive for procedure.
(4) Raise vehicle.
(5) Drain cooling system. Refer to Group 7, Cooling
System.
(6) Remove exhaust pipe from manifold.
(7) Remove right front wheel.
(8) Remove right side splash shield.
(9) Remove generator belt. Refer to Group 7, Cool-
ing System Accessory Drive Belts for procedure.
(10) Remove crankshaft damper. Refer to proce-
dure in this section.
(11) Remove lower torque strut.
(12) Lower vehicle and remove upper torque strut.
(13) Remove ground strap and power steering hose
support clip from engine mount bracket.
(14) Remove power steering pump assembly and
set aside.
(15) Support engine from beneath with a suitable
jack.
(16) Remove right side engine mount to bracket
through bolt.
(17) Remove the lower engine mount bracket bolt.
Raise engine slightly and remove the upper engine
mount bracket bolts.(18) Remove engine mount bracket. This procedure
may require additional raising/lowering of engine
until bracket will clear engine components.
(19) Remove front timing belt cover.
(20) Rotate engine until timing marks are aligned.
(21) Remove timing belt and tensioner. Refer to
procedures in this section.
(22) Remove camshaft sprocket. Refer to proce-
dures in this section.
(23) Remove rear timing belt cover.
(24) Disconnect fuel line at fuel rail.
(25) Remove coolant recovery container.
(26) Remove ground wire to cylinder head.
(27) Remove upper radiator hose.
(28) Remove intake manifold. Refer to procedure
in this section.
(29) Disconnect ignition coil electrical connector.
Remove coil pack and spark plug cables from engine.
(30) Remove Crankcase Closed Ventilation (CCV)
hose from cylinder head cover.
(31) Disconnect cam sensor and coolant tempera-
ture electrical connectors.
(32) Remove heater tube to cylinder head attach-
ing fasteners.
(33) Remove heater hose from thermostat housing
connector.
(34) Remove cylinder head cover.
(35) Remove cylinder head bolts.
(36) Remove cylinder head and gasket (Fig. 55).
PL2.0L SOHC ENGINE 9 - 37
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(13) Install ignition coil and spark plug cables.
Connect coil electrical connector.
(14) Install intake manifold. Refer to procedure in
this section.
(15) Install upper radiator hose.
(16) Install ground wire to cylinder head.
(17) Install coolant recovery container.
(18) Connect fuel line to fuel rail.
(19) Install rear timing belt cover, camshaft
sprocket, and timing belt tensioner and timing belt.
Refer to procedures in this section.
(20) Install front timing belt cover.
(21) Install engine mount bracket.
(22) Position engine and install right side engine
mount to engine mount bracket bolt. Tighten bolt to
118 N´m (87 ft. lbs.). Remove jack from beneath
engine.
(23) Install power steering pump assembly.
(24) Install power steering hose support clip and
ground strap to engine mount bracket.
(25) Install upper torque strut.
(26) Raise vehicle.
(27) Install lower torque strut.
(28) Install crankshaft damper.
(29) Install accessory drive belts. Refer to Group 7,
Cooling System Accessory Drive Belt for procedure.
(30) Install right side splash shield and front
wheel.
(31) Install exhaust pipe to exhaust manifold
flange.
(32) Lower vehicle and fill cooling system. Refer to
Group 7, Cooling System for procedure.
(33) Connect negative cable to battery.
(34) Perform camshaft and crankshaft timing
relearn procedure as follows:
²Connect the DRB scan tool to the data link
(diagnostic) connector. This connector is located in
the passenger compartment; at the lower edge of
instrument panel; near the steering column.
²Turn the ignition switch on and access the ªmis-
cellaneousº screen.
²Select ªre-learn cam/crankº option and follow
directions on DRB screen.
CRANKSHAFT DAMPER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove accessory drive belts. Refer to Group 7,
Cooling System for procedure.
(2) Raise vehicle on a hoist and remove right inner
splash shield.
(3) Remove crankshaft damper bolt. Remove
damper using the large side of Special Tool 1026 and
insert 6827-A (Fig. 61).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install crankshaft damper using M12±1.75 x
150 mm bolt, washer, thrust bearing and nut from
Special Tool 6792 (Fig. 62).
Fig. 62 Crankshaft DamperÐInstallation
1 ± M12 Ð 1.753150 MM BOLT, WASHER AND THRUST
BEARING FROM SPECIAL TOOL 6792
Fig. 60 Cylinder Head Tightening Sequence
Fig. 61 Crankshaft DamperÐRemoval
1 ± SPECIAL TOOL 6827±A INSERT
2 ± SPECIAL TOOL 1026 THREE JAW PULLER
9 - 40 2.0L SOHC ENGINEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(2) Install crankshaft damper bolt. Using Special
Tool 6847 and a torque wrench, tighten bolt to 136
N´m (100 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 63).
(3) Install accessory drive belts. Refer to Group 7,
Cooling System for procedure.
(4) Raise vehicle on hoist and install right inner
splash shield.
TIMING BELT COVERS
FRONT TIMING BELT COVER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove accessory drive belts. Refer to Group 7,
Cooling System for procedure.
(2) Remove crankshaft damper. Refer to procedure
in this section.
(3) Remove lower and upper torque struts. Refer to
procedure in this section.
(4) Position a jack under engine. Raise jack
enough to support engine weight.
(5) Remove right engine mount to engine mount
bracket bolt.
(6) Remove power steering pump assembly and set
aside.
(7) Remove right engine mount bracket.
(8) Remove front timing belt cover (Fig. 64).INSTALLATION
(1) Install front timing belt cover and tighten bolts
to 12 N´m (105 in. lbs.).
(2) Install front engine mount bracket.
(3) Install right side engine mount to engine
mount bracket bolt.
(4) Remove jack from under engine.
(5) Install power steering pump assembly.
(6) Install upper and lower engine torque struts.
Refer to procedure in this section.
(7) Install crankshaft damper. Refer to procedure
in this section.
(8) Install accessory drive belts. Refer to Group 7,
Cooling System Accessory Drive section for proce-
dure.REAR TIMING BELT COVER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove front timing belt cover following proce-
dure in this section.
(2) Remove timing belt and timing belt tensioner.
Refer to procedures in this section.
(3) Hold camshaft sprocket with Special Tools
C-4687 and modified Adaptor C-4687-1 (Fig. 66),
while removing attaching bolt.
(4) Remove camshaft sprocket.
(5) Remove rear timing cover attaching bolts (Fig.
65).
(6) Remove rear timing cover (Fig. 65).
Fig. 63 Crankshaft Damper Bolt Tightening
1 ± SPECIAL TOOL 6847
2 ± CRANKSHAFT DAMPER
Fig. 64 Front Timing Belt Cover
1 ± ACCESS PLUG
2 ± BOLTS
PL2.0L SOHC ENGINE 9 - 41
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Install rear timing cover and tighten bolts to
12 N´m (105 in. lbs.) (Fig. 65).
(2) Install camshaft sprocket. While holding
sprockets with Special Tools C-4687 and modifiedAdaptor C-4687-1, tighten attaching bolt to 101 N´m
(75 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install timing belt tensioner assembly and tim-
ing belt. Refer to procedure in this section.
(4) Install front timing belt cover following proce-
dure in this section.
Fig. 65 Rear Timing Belt Cover
1 ± BOLTS
Fig. 66 Modification to Special Tool C-4687-1
1 ± GRIND LOCATION
2 ± 12.7 MM (1/2 IN.)
3 ± 50.8 MM (2 IN.)
9 - 42 2.0L SOHC ENGINEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

TIMING BELT
CHECKING BELT TIMINGÐCOVER INSTALLED
²Remove number one spark plug.
²Using a dial indicator, set number one cylinder
to TDC on the compression stroke.
²Remove the access plug from the outer timing
belt cover (Fig. 67).
²Check the timing mark on the camshaft
sprocket, it should align with the arrow on the rear
belt cover (Fig. 68).
REMOVALÐTIMING BELT
(1) Remove accessory drive belts. Refer to Group 7,
Cooling System for procedures.
(2) Raise vehicle on a hoist and remove right inner
splash shield.(3) Remove crankshaft damper bolt. Remove
damper using Special Tools 1026 three jaw puller
and 6827-A insert (Fig. 69).
(4) Remove lower torque strut.
(5) Lower vehicle and place a jack under engine.
(6) Remove upper torque strut.
(7) Remove right engine mount to engine mount
bracket through bolt.
(8) Remove power steering pump assembly and set
aside.
(9) Remove engine mount bracket (Fig. 70).
(10) Remove front timing belt cover (Fig. 71).
CAUTION: Align camshaft and crankshaft timing
marks before removing the timing belt by rotating
the engine with the crankshaft.
Fig. 67 Timing Belt System
1 ± CAMSHAFT SPROCKET
2 ± REAR TIMING BELT COVER
3 ± TIMING BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY
4 ± WATER PUMP
5 ± OIL PUMP BODY
6 ± CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET7 ± TIMING BELT
8 ± BOLT
9 ± CRANKSHAFT DAMPER
10 ± FRONT TIMING BELT COVER
11 ± ACCESS PLUG
12 ± CAMSHAFT BOLT AND WASHER
PL2.0L SOHC ENGINE 9 - 43
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(11) Inserta8mmAllen wrench into the hexagon
opening located on the front of the belt tensioner pul-
ley (Fig. 72). Rotate the pulley counterclockwise until
it contacts the stop. While holding tensioner pulley
against stop, insert a 1/8º or 3 mm diameter pin or
Allen wrench through the hole located to the left of
the hex opening (Fig. 72). While pushing pin into
hole, allow the tensioner pulley to rotate back.
Almost immediately, the pin should engage the lock-
ing hole to prevent further movement of the pulley.
(12) Remove timing belt.
CAUTION: Do not rotate the camshafts once the
timing belt has been removed or damage to valve
components may occur.
Fig. 68 Camshaft Timing Marks
1 ± CAM SPROCKET TIMING MARK
2 ± ARROW ON REAR COVER
Fig. 69 Crankshaft DamperÐRemoval
1 ± SPECIAL TOOL 6827±A INSERT
2 ± SPECIAL TOOL 1026 THREE JAW PULLER
Fig. 70 Right Engine Mount Bracket
1 ± BOLTS
2 ± ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET ASSEMBLY
Fig. 71 Timing Belt Cover
1 ± ACCESS PLUG
2 ± BOLTS
9 - 44 2.0L SOHC ENGINEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)