CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
MAIN BEARING NOISE 1. Insufficient oil supply. 1. Check engine oil level.
2. Low oil pressure. 2. Check engine oil level. Inspect oil
pump relief valve and spring.
3. Thin or diluted oil. 3. Change oil to correct viscosity.
4. Thick oil 4. (a) Change engine oil and filter.
(b) Run engine to operating
temperature.
(c) Change engine oil and filter
again.
5. Excessive bearing clearance. 5. Measure bearings for correct
clearance. Repair as necessary.
6. Excessive end play. 6. Check thrust bearing for wear on
flanges.
7. Crankshaft journal out-of-round
or worn.7. Replace crankshaft or grind
journals.
8. Loose flywheel or torque
converter.8. Tighten to correct torque.
OIL PRESSURE DROP 1. Low oil level. 1. Check engine oil level.
2. Faulty oil pressure sending unit. 2. Install new sending unit.
3. Low oil pressure. 3. Check sending unit and main
bearing oil clearance.
4. Clogged oil filter. 4. Install new oil filter.
5. Worn parts in oil pump. 5. Replace worn parts or pump.
6. Thin or diluted oil. 6. Change oil to correct viscosity.
7. Oil pump relief valve stuck. 7. Remove valve and inspect, clean,
or replace.
8. Oil pump suction tube loose. 8. Remove oil pan and install new
tube or clean, if necessary.
9. Oil pump cover warped or
cracked.9. Install new oil pump.
10. Excessive bearing clearance. 10. Measure bearings for correct
clearance.
OIL LEAKS 1. Misaligned or deteriorated
gaskets.1. Replace gasket(s).
2. Loose fastener, broken or porous
metal part.2. Tighten, repair or replace the
part.
3. Misaligned or deteriorated cup or
threaded plug.3. Replace as necessary.
9 - 8 ENGINE 2.4LRS
ENGINE 2.4L (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
OIL CONSUMPTION OR SPARK
PLUGS FOULED1. PCV system malfunction. 1. Check system and repair as
necessary. (Refer to 25 -
EMISSIONS CONTROL/
EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS/PCV
VALVE - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING)
2. Worn, scuffed or broken rings. 2. Hone cylinder bores. Install new
rings.
3. Carbon in oil ring slots. 3. Install new rings.
4. Rings fitted too tightly in grooves. 4. Remove rings and check
grooves. If groove is not proper
width, replace piston.
5. Worn valve guide(s). 5. Replace cylinder head assembly.
6. Valve stem seal(s) worn or
damaged.6. Replace seal(s).
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ENGINE CORE AND
OIL GALLERY PLUGS
Using a blunt tool such as a drift and a hammer,
strike the bottom edge of the cup plug. With the cup
plug rotated, grasp firmly with pliers or other suit-
able tool and remove plug (Fig. 2).
CAUTION: Do not drive cup plug into the casting as
restricted cooling can result and cause serious
engine problems.
Thoroughly clean inside of cup plug hole in cylin-
der block or head. Be sure to remove old sealer.Lightly coat inside of cup plug hole with Mopart
Stud and Bearing Mount. Make certain the new plug
is cleaned of all oil or grease. Using proper drive
plug, drive plug into hole so that the sharp edge of
the plug is at least 0.5 mm (0.020 in.) inside the
lead-in chamfer.
It is not necessary to wait for curing of the sealant.
The cooling system can be refilled and the vehicle
placed in service immediately.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REPAIR OF
DAMAGED OR WORN THREADS
Damaged or worn threads (excluding spark plug
and camshaft bearing cap attaching threads) can be
repaired. Essentially, this repair consists of drilling
out worn or damaged threads, tapping the hole with
a special Heli-Coil Tap, (or equivalent) and installing
an insert into the tapped hole. This brings the hole
back to its original thread size.
CAUTION: Be sure that the tapped holes maintain
the original center line.
Heli-Coil tools and inserts are readily available
from automotive parts jobbers.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - HYDROSTATIC
LOCKED ENGINE
When an engine is suspected to be hydrostatically
locked, regardless of what caused the problem, the
following steps should be used.
CAUTION: DO NOT use starter motor to rotate the
engine, severe damage may occur.
Fig. 2 CORE HOLE PLUG REMOVAL
1 - CYLINDER BLOCK
2 - REMOVE PLUG WITH PLIERS
3 - STRIKE HERE WITH HAMMER
4 - DRIFT PUNCH
5 - CUP PLUG
RSENGINE 2.4L9-9
ENGINE 2.4L (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
NOTE: Plastigage is available in a variety of clear-
ance ranges. Use the most appropriate range for
the specifications you are checking.
(4) Install the proper crankshaft bearings to
achieve the specified bearing clearances. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/CRANKSHAFT MAIN
BEARINGS - STANDARD PROCEDURE) (Refer to 9
- ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/CONNECTING ROD
BEARINGS - STANDARD PROCEDURE)
REMOVAL - ENGINE ASSEMBLY
(1) Perform fuel pressure release procedure (Refer
to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL DELIVERY - STAN-
DARD PROCEDURE)
(2) Disconnect battery negative cable.
(3) Remove air cleaner housing and inlet tube.
(4) Disconnect the fuel line from fuel rail. (Refer to
14 - FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL DELIVERY/FUEL LINES
- STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(5) Disconnect all vacuum hoses.
(6) Drain cooling system. (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(7) Remove radiator fans. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/
ENGINE/RADIATOR FAN - REMOVAL)
(8) Remove radiator upper and lower hoses.
(9) Disconnect automatic transmission cooler lines
and plug.(10) Disconnect transmission shift linkage and
electrical connectors.
(11) Disconnect throttle body linkage.
(12) Disconnect engine wiring harness.
(13) Disconnect heater hoses from heater (Fig. 5).
(14) Discharge air conditioning system. (Refer to
24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING
- STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(15) Hoist vehicle and remove front wheels and
tires.
(16) Remove accessory drive belt splash shield.
(17) Remove accessory drive belts. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL)
(18) Remove axle shafts. (Refer to 3 - DIFFEREN-
TIAL & DRIVELINE/HALF SHAFT - REMOVAL)
(19) Drain engine oil and remove oil filter. (Refer
to 9 - ENGINE/LUBRICATION/OIL - STANDARD
PROCEDURE)
(20) Remove crossmember cradle plate (Fig. 6).
(21) Disconnect exhaust pipe from manifold (Fig.
7).
(22) Remove engine front mount and bracket from
engine. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/ENGINE MOUNTING/
FRONT MOUNT - REMOVAL)
(23) Remove structural collar. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/STRUCTURAL COVER -
REMOVAL)
Fig. 5 HEATER HOSES - 2.4L
1 - HEATER HOSES TO HEATER 3 - HEATER HOSE TO ENGINE - SUPPLY AND RETURN
2 - BOLT - HEATER TUBE SUPPORT
9 - 12 ENGINE 2.4LRS
ENGINE 2.4L (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
age to the valve guides.Identify valves to insure
installation in original location.
(4) Inspect the valves. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/CYL-
INDER HEAD/VALVE SPRINGS - INSPECTION)
INSPECTION
(1) Whenever valves have been removed for inspec-
tion, reconditioning or replacement, valve springs
should be tested for correct tension. Discard the
springs that do not meet specifications. The following
specifications apply to both intake and exhaust
valves springs:
²Valve Closed Nominal TensionÐ76 lbs. @ 38.0
mm (1.50 in.)
²Valve Open Nominal TensionÐ136 lbs. @ 29.75
mm (1.17 in.)
(2) Inspect each valve spring for squareness with a
steel square and surface plate, test springs from both
ends. If the spring is more than 1.5 mm (1/16 inch)
out of square, install a new spring.
INSTALLATION - CYLINDER HEAD ON
(1) Install valve seal/valve spring seat assembly
(Fig. 35). Push the assembly down to seat it onto the
valve guide.
(2) Install valve spring and retainer, use Special
Tool MD-998772-A with adapter 6779 to compress
valve springs only enough to install locks (Fig. 34).
Correct alignment of tool is necessary to avoid nick-
ing valve stems.
(3) Remove air hose and install spark plugs.
(4) Install camshafts and cylinder head cover .
INSTALLATION - CYLINDER HEAD OFF
(1) Coat valve stems with clean engine oil and
insert in cylinder head.(2) Install new valve stem seals on all valves
using a valve stem seal tool (Fig. 36). The valve stem
seals should be pushed firmly and squarely over
valve guide.
CAUTION: When oversize valves are used, the cor-
responding oversize valve seal must also be used.
Excessive guide wear may result if oversize seals
are not used with oversize valves.
(3) Install valve springs and retainers. Compress
valve springs only enough to install locks, taking
care not to misalign the direction of compression.
Nicked valve stems may result from misalignment of
the valve spring compressor.
Fig. 34 Valve Spring - Removal/Installation
1 - VALVE SPRING COMPRESSOR MD 998772A
2 - AIR HOSEFig. 35 Valve Stem Seal/Valve Spring Seat
1 - VALVE RETAINING LOCKS
2 - VALVE SPRING
3 - VALVE SEAL AND VALVE SPRING SEAT ASSEMBLY
4 - VALVE SPRING RETAINER
Fig. 36 Valve Stem Oil Seal Tool
1 - VALVE SEAL TOOL
2 - VALVE STEM
RSENGINE 2.4L9-31
VALVE SPRINGS (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
(3) Using a suitable filter wrench, turn oil filter
(Fig. 89) counterclockwise to remove.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean and check filter mounting surface. The
surface must be smooth, flat and free of debris or
pieces of gasket.
(2) Lubricate new oil filter gasket with clean
engine oil.
(3) Screw oil filter (Fig. 89) on until the gasket
contacts base. Tighten to 21 N´m (15 ft. lbs.).
OIL PAN
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle on hoist and drain engine oil.
(2) Remove structural collar. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/STRUCTURAL COVER -
REMOVAL)
(3) Remove air conditioning compressor bracket to
oil pan bolt.
(4) Remove bolts attaching oil pan.
(5) Remove oil pan.
(6) Clean oil pan and all gasket surfaces.
INSTALLATION
(1) Apply MopartEngine RTV GEN II at the oil
pump to engine block parting line (Fig. 90).
(2) Install the oil pan gasket to the block.
(3) Install pan and tighten the screws to 12 N´m
(105 in. lbs.).
(4) Install air conditioning compressor bracket to
oil pan bolt.
(5) Install structural collar. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
ENGINE BLOCK/STRUCTURAL COVER - INSTAL-
LATION)
(6) Lower vehicle and fill engine crankcase with
proper oil to correct level.
OIL PUMP
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect negative cable from battery.
(2) Remove timing belt. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND
SPROCKETS - REMOVAL)
(3) Remove timing belt rear cover. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT / CHAIN
COVER(S) - REMOVAL)
(4) Remove oil pan. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LUBRI-
CATION/OIL PAN - REMOVAL)
(5) Remove crankshaft sprocket using Special
Tools 6793 and C-4685-C2 (Fig. 91).
(6) Remove crankshaft key (Fig. 92).
(7) Remove oil pick-up tube.
(8) Remove oil pump (Fig. 93) and front crankshaft
seal.
Fig. 89 Oil Filter
Fig. 90 Oil Pan Sealing - Typical
1 - SEALER LOCATIONS
9 - 52 ENGINE 2.4LRS
OIL FILTER (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
INSTALLATION
REAR COVER
(1) Install timing belt rear cover and bolts (Fig.
115).
CAUTION: Do not use an impact wrench for tighten-
ing camshaft sprocket bolt. Damage to the timing
locating pin can occur. Hand tighten using a
wrench ONLY.
(2) Install camshaft sprockets. Hold sprockets with
Special Tool 6848 and tighten center bolt to 101 N´m
(75 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install timing belt idler pulley and tighten
mounting bolt to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
(4) Install timing belt. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND
SPROCKETS - INSTALLATION)
(5) Install engine mount bracket and tighten bolts
to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 113).
(6) Install front covers.
FRONT COVER
(1) Install timing belt front covers (Fig. 112).
Tighten fasteners to 7 N´m (60 in. lbs.).
(2) Install generator drive belt tensioner. (Refer to
7 - COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/BELT TEN-
SIONERS - INSTALLATION)
(3) Install crankshaft vibration damper. (Refer to 9
- ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER -
INSTALLATION)
TIMING BELT AND
SPROCKET(S)
REMOVAL - TIMING BELT
(1) Remove air cleaner upper cover, housing, and
clean air tube.
(2) Remove make-up air hose from cylinder head
cover.
(3) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(4) Remove right front wheel.
(5) Remove right inner splash shield.
(6) Remove accessory drive belts. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/BELT TENSION-
ERS - REMOVAL)
(7) Remove crankshaft vibration damper. (Refer to
9 - ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION
DAMPER - REMOVAL)
(8) Remove air conditioner/generator belt tensioner
and pulley assembly. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ACCES-
SORY DRIVE/BELT TENSIONERS - REMOVAL)
(9) Remove timing belt lower front cover bolts and
remove cover. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/
TIMING BELT / CHAIN COVER(S) - REMOVAL)
(10) Lower vehicle.
(11) Remove bolts attaching timing belt upper
front cover and remove cover. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT / CHAIN COVER(S)
- REMOVAL)
(12) Remove right engine mount. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE MOUNTING/RIGHT MOUNT -
REMOVAL)
(13) Remove engine mount bracket (Fig. 116).
CAUTION: When aligning crankshaft and camshaft
timing marks always rotate engine from crankshaft.
Camshaft should not be rotated after timing belt is
removed. Damage to valve components may occur.
Always align timing marks before removing timing
belt.
(14) Before the removal of the timing belt, rotate
crankshaft until the TDC mark on oil pump housing
aligns with the TDC mark on crankshaft sprocket
(trailing edge of sprocket tooth) (Fig. 117).
Fig. 115 Timing Belt Rear Cover
1 - BOLTS - REAR COVER 7 N´m (60 in. lbs.)
2 - BOLTS - REAR COVER 28 N´m (250 in .lbs.)
3 - TIMING BELT TENSIONER
RSENGINE 2.4L9-61
TIMING BELT COVER(S) (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
(5) Remove the pull pin or Allen wrench from the
belt tensioner.
(6) Once the timing belt has been installed and
tensioner released, rotate the crankshaft two (2) com-
plete revolutions. Verify that the TDC marks on
crankshaft and timing marks on the camshafts are
aligned as shown in (Fig. 123).
(7) Install engine mount bracket to engine (Fig.
116).
(8) Install timing belt front covers and bolts.
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING
BELT / CHAIN COVER(S) - INSTALLATION)
(9) Install air conditioning/generator belt tensioner
and pulley. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ACCESSORY
DRIVE/BELT TENSIONERS - INSTALLATION)
(10) Install right engine mount. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE MOUNTING/RIGHT MOUNT -
INSTALLATION)(11) Install crankshaft vibration damper. (Refer to
9 - ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION
DAMPER - INSTALLATION)
(12) Install accessory drive belts. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
INSTALLATION)
(13) Install drive belt splash shield.
(14) Install right front wheel.
(15) Connect make-up air hose to cylinder head
cover.
(16) Install air cleaner housing, upper cover, and
clean air tube.
TIMING BELT TENSIONER &
PULLEY
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the timing belt. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND
SPROCKETS - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove timing belt idler pulley.
(3) Hold camshaft sprocket with Special Tool 6847
while removing bolt (Fig. 124). Remove both cam
sprockets.
Fig. 122 Timing Belt - Installation
1 - ROTATE CAMSHAFT SPROCKET TO TAKE UP BELT SLACK
2 - CAMSHAFT TIMING MARKS 1/2 NOTCH LOCATION
3 - CRANKSHAFT AT TDC
4 - INSTALL BELT IN THIS DIRECTION
Fig. 123 Crankshaft and Camshaft Timing
1 - CAMSHAFT TIMING MARKS
2 - CRANKSHAFT TDC MARKS
3 - TRAILING EDGE OF SPROCKET TOOTH
9 - 64 ENGINE 2.4LRS
TIMING BELT AND SPROCKET(S) (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION
ENGINE STALLS
OR IDLES
ROUGH1. Idle speed too low. 1. Test minimum air flow. (Refer to
Appropriate Diagnostic Information)
2. Incorrect fuel mixture. 2. (Refer to Appropriate Diagnostic
Information)
3. Intake manifold leakage. 3. Inspect intake manifold, manifold gasket,
and vacuum hoses.
4. Faulty ignition coil(s). 4. Test and replace as necessary. (Refer to
Appropriate Diagnostic Information)
ENGINE LOSS OF
POWER1. Dirty or incorrectly gapped plugs. 1. Clean plugs and set gap.
2. Contamination in fuel system. 2. Clean system and replace fuel filter.
3. Faulty fuel pump. 3. Test and replace as necessary. (Refer to
Appropriate Diagnostic Information)
4. Incorrect valve timing. 4. Correct valve timing.
5. Leaking cylinder head gasket. 5. Replace cylinder head gasket.
6. Low compression. 6. Test compression of each cylinder.
7. Burned, warped, or pitted valves. 7. Replace valves.
8. Plugged or restricted exhaust system. 8. Perform exhaust restriction test. (Refer to
11 - EXHAUST SYSTEM - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING) Install new parts, as necessary.
9. Faulty ignition coil(s). 9. Test and replace as necessary. (Refer to
Appropriate Diagnostic Information)
ENGINE MISSES
ON
ACCELERATION1. Dirty or incorrectly gapped spark plugs. 1. Clean spark plugs and set gap.
2. Contamination in Fuel System. 2. Clean fuel system and replace fuel filter.
3. Burned, warped, or pitted valves. 3. Replace valves.
4. Faulty ignition coil(s). 4. Test and replace as necessary. (Refer to
Appropriate Diagnostic Information)
ENGINE MISSES
AT HIGH SPEED1. Dirty or incorrect spark plug gap. 1. Clean spark plugs and set gap.
2. Faulty ignition coil(s). 2. Test and replace as necessary. (Refer to
Appropriate Diagnostic Information)
3. Dirty fuel injector(s). Test and replace as necessary. (Refer to
Appropriate Diagnostic Information)
4. Contamination in fuel system. 4. Clean system and replace fuel filter.
RSENGINE 3.3/3.8L9-75
ENGINE 3.3/3.8L (Continued)
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