
(4) Install flex plate. Apply MopartLock & Seal
Adhesive to bolt threads and tighten bolts to 95 N´m
(70 ft. lbs.).
(5) Install the transmission.
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD
DESCRIPTION
The pistons are made of a cast aluminum alloy.
The pistons have pressed-in pins attached to forged
powdered metal connecting rods. The pistons pin is
offset 1 mm (0.0394 in.) towards the thrust side of
the piston. The connecting rods are a cracked cap
design and are not repairable. Hex head cap screws
are used to provide alignment and durability in the
assembly. The pistons and connecting rods are ser-
viced as an assembly.
OPERATION
The piston and connecting rod is the link between
the combustion force to the crankshaft.
REMOVAL
NOTE: Cylinder Head must be removed before Pis-
tons and Rods. Refer to Cylinder Head Removal in
this section.
(1) Remove top ridge of cylinder bores with a reli-
able ridge reamer before removing pistons from cyl-
inder block.Be sure to keep tops of pistons
covered during this operation. Mark piston with
matching cylinder number (Fig. 60).
(2) Remove oil pan. Scribe the cylinder number on
the side of the rod and cap (Fig. 61) for identification.
(3) Pistons have a directional stamping in the
front half of the piston facing towards thefrontof
engine.
(4) Pistons and connecting rods must be removed
from top of cylinder block. Rotate crankshaft so that
each connecting rod is centered in cylinder bore.
(5) Remove Balance Shaft Assembly. Refer to Bal-
ance Shaft Removal in this section.
(6) Remove connecting rod cap bolts. Push each
piston and rod assembly out of cylinder bore.
NOTE: Be careful not to nick crankshaft journals.
(7) After removal, install bearing cap on the mat-
ing rod.
(8) Piston and Rods are serviced as an assembly.
Fig. 59 Rear Crankshaft SealÐInstallation
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6926±2 INSTALLER
Fig. 60 Piston Markings
1 - DIRECTIONAL ARROW WILL BE IMPRINTED IN THIS AREA
9s - 40 ENGINEKJ
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - REAR (Continued)

LUBRICATION
DESCRIPTION
The lubrication system is a full-flow filtration,
pressure feed type. The oil pump is mounted in the
front engine cover and driven by the crankshaft.
OPERATION
Engine oil drawn up through the pickup tube and
is pressurized by the oil pump and routed through
the full-flow filter to the main oil gallery running the
length of the cylinder block. A diagonal hole in each
bulkhead feeds oil to each main bearing. Drilled pas-
sages within the crankshaft route oil from main bear-
ing journals to connecting rod journals. Balance shaft
lubrication is provided through an oil passage from
the number one main bearing cap through the bal-
ance shaft carrier support leg. This passage directly
supplies oil to the front bearings and internal
machined passages in the shafts that routes oil from
front to the rear shaft bearing journals. A vertical
hole at the number five bulkhead routes pressurized
oil through a restrictor (integral to the cylinder head
gasket) up past a cylinder head bolt to an oil gallery
running the length of the cylinder head. The cam-
shaft journals are partially slotted to allow a prede-
termined amount of pressurized oil to pass into the
bearing cap cavities. Lubrication of the camshaft
lobes are provided by small holes in the camshaft
bearing caps that are directed towards each lobe. Oil
returning to the pan from pressurized components
supplies lubrication to the valve stems. Cylinder
bores and wrist pins are splash lubricated from
directed slots on the connecting rod thrust collars.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE CHECKING
(1) Disconnect and remove oil pressure switch.
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LUBRICATION/OIL PRES-
SURE SENSOR/SWITCH - REMOVAL)
(2) Install Special Tools C-3292 Gauge with 8406
Adaptor fitting.
(3) Start engine and record oil pressure. Refer to
Specifications for correct oil pressure requirements.
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE - SPECIFICATIONS)
CAUTION: If oil pressure is 0 at idle, do not perform
the 3000 RPM test
(4) If oil pressure is 0 at idle. Shut off engine,
check for pressure relief valve stuck open, a clogged
oil pick-up screen or a damaged oil pick-up tube
O-ring.
(5) After test is complete, remove test gauge and
fitting.
Fig. 76 TRANSMISSION MOUNT 3.7L 2WD AUTO
TRANS
1 - BOLT
2 - MOUNT
Fig. 77 TRANSMISSION MOUNT 3.7L 4WD AUTO
TRANS
1 - MOUNT
2 - BOLT
9s - 46 ENGINEKJ
LUBRICATION (Continued)

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. 104). Remove both cam
sprockets.
(4) Remove rear timing belt cover fasteners and
remove cover from engine (Fig. 105).
(5) Remove lower bolt attaching timing belt ten-
sioner assembly to engine and remove tensioneras
an assembly.
INSTALLATION
(1) Align timing belt tensioner assembly to engine
and install lower mounting boltbut do not tighten.
To properly align tensioner assemblyÐinstall one of
the engine bracket mounting bolts (M10) 5 to 7 turns
into the tensioner's upper mounting location.
(2) Torque the tensioner's lower mounting bolt to
61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.). Remove the upper bolt used for
tensioner alignment.
(3) Install rear timing belt cover and fasteners.
(4) Install timing belt idler pulley and torque
mounting bolt to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).(5) Install camshaft sprockets. Use Special Tool
6847 to hold sprockets, torque bolts to 101 N´m (75
ft. lbs.).
(6) Install the timing belt. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND
SPROCKETS - INSTALLATION)
BALANCE SHAFT
DESCRIPTION
The 2.4L engine is equipped with two nodular cast
iron balance shafts installed in a cast aluminum car-
rier attached to the lower cylinder block (Fig. 106).
OPERATION
The balance shafts are driven by the crankshaft
via a roller chain and sprockets. The balance shafts
are connected by helical gears. The dual counter
rotating shafts decrease second order vertical shak-
ing forces caused by component movement.
Fig. 104 Camshaft Sprocket - Removal/Installation
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6847
Fig. 105 TIMING BELT REAR COVER FASTENERS
1 - OUTER COVER TO REAR COVER FASTENERS (3)
2 - REAR COVER TO CYLINDER HEAD FASTENERS
3 - OUTER COVER TO REAR COVER FASTENERS (3)
4 - INNER COVER TO BLOCK FASTENERS
KJENGINE9s-59

REMOVAL
BALANCE SHAFTS
(1) Drain engine oil.
(2) Remove the oil pan. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LU-
BRICATION/OIL PAN - REMOVAL)
(3) Remove chain cover, guide and tensioner (Fig.
107). Also see Carrier Assembly Removal for service
procedures requiring only temporary relocation of
assembly.
(4) Remove gear cover retaining stud (double
ended to also retain chain guide). Remove cover and
balance shaft gears (Fig. 107).
(5) Remove balance shaft gear, chain sprocket
retaining screws, and crankshaft chain sprocket.
Remove chain and sprocket assembly (Fig. 108).
Using two wide pry bars, work the sprocket back and
forth until it is off the shaft.(6) Remove carrier gear cover and balance shafts
(Fig. 109).
(7) Remove four carrier to crankcase attaching
bolts to separate carrier from engine bedplate.
BALANCE SHAFT CARRIER
The following components will remain intact dur-
ing carrier removal. Gear cover, gears, balance shafts
and the rear cover (Fig. 110).
(1) Remove chain cover and driven balance shaft
chain sprocket screw.
(2) Loosen tensioner pivot and adjusting screws,
move driven balance shaft inboard through driven
chain sprocket. Sprocket will hang in lower chain
loop.
(3) Remove carrier to crankcase attaching bolts to
remove carrier.
Fig. 106 Balance Shafts and Carrier Assembly
1 - SPROCKET 7 - GEARS
2 - TENSIONER 8 - GEAR COVER
3 - PLUG 9 - CHAIN COVER
4 - CARRIER 10 - SPROCKET
5 - REAR COVER 11 - GUIDE
6 - BALANCE SHAFTS 12 - CHAIN
9s - 60 ENGINEKJ
BALANCE SHAFT (Continued)

INSTALLATION
BALANCE SHAFT TIMING
BALANCE SHAFT INSTALLATION
Balance shaft and carrier assembly installation is
the reverse of the removal procedure.During instal-
lation crankshaft-to-balance shaft timing must
be established. Refer to Timing procedure in
this section.
(1) With balance shafts installed in carrier (Fig.
110) position carrier on crankcase and install four
attaching bolts and tighten to 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.).
(2) Turn balance shafts until both shaft key ways
are up, parallel to vertical centerline of engine.
Install short hub drive gear on sprocket driven shaft
and long hub gear on gear driven shaft. After instal-
lation gear and balance shaft keyways must be up
with gear timing marks meshed as shown in (Fig.
111).
(3) Install gear cover and tighten double ended
stud/washer fastener to 12 N´m (105 in. lbs.).
(4) Align flat on balance shaft drive sprocket to the
flat on crankshaft (Fig. 112).
Fig. 107 Chain Cover, Guide and Tensioner
1 - STUD
2 - TENSIONER (ADJUSTER)
3 - GEAR COVER
4 - ADJUST SCREW
5 - PIVOT SCREW
6 - CHAIN COVER (CUTAWAY)
7 - GUIDE
Fig. 108 Drive Chain and Sprockets
1 - NICKEL PLATED LINK AND MARK
2 - GEAR/SPROCKET SCREWS
3 - NICKEL PLATED LINK AND DOT
Fig. 109 Gear Cover and Gears
1 - STUD (DOUBLE ENDED)
2 - DRIVE GEAR
3 - DRIVEN GEAR
4 - CARRIER DOWEL
5 - GEAR(S)
6 - GEAR COVER
KJENGINE9s-61
BALANCE SHAFT (Continued)

(5) Install balance shaft drive sprocket on crank-
shaft using Special Tool 6052 (Fig. 113).
(6) Turn crankshaft until number 1 cylinder is at
top dead center (TDC). The timing marks on the
chain sprocket should line up with the parting line
on the left side of number one main bearing cap.
(Fig. 114).
(7) Place chain over crankshaft sprocket so that
the plated link of the chain is over the number 1 cyl-
inder timing mark on the balance shaft crankshaft
sprocket (Fig. 114).(8) Place balance shaft sprocket into the timing
chain (Fig. 114) and align the timing mark on the
sprocket (dot) with the (lower) plated link on the
chain.
NOTE: The lower plated link is 8 links from the
upper link.
Fig. 110 Balance Shaft - Removal/Installation
1 - REAR COVER
2 - CARRIER
3 - BALANCE SHAFT
Fig. 111 Gear Timing
1 - KEY WAYS UP
2 - GEAR ALIGNMENT DOTS
Fig. 112 Balance Shaft Sprocket Alignment to
Crankshaft
1 - ALIGN FLATS
Fig. 113 Balance Shaft Drive
1 - SPROCKET
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6052
9s - 62 ENGINEKJ
BALANCE SHAFT (Continued)

(9) With balance shaft keyways pointing up (12
o'clock) slide the balance shaft sprocket onto the nose
of the balance shaft. The balance shaft may have to
be pushed in slightly to allow for clearance.
NOTE: THE TIMING MARK ON THE SPROCKET, THE
(LOWER) NICKEL PLATED LINK, AND THE ARROW
ON THE SIDE OF THE GEAR COVER SHOULD LINE
UP WHEN THE BALANCE SHAFTS ARE TIMED
CORRECTLY.
(10) If the sprockets are timed correctly, install the
balance shaft bolts and tighten to 28 N´m (250 in.
lbs.). A wood block placed between crankcase and
crankshaft counterbalance will prevent crankshaft
and gear rotation.(11)CHAIN TENSIONING:
(a) Install chain tensioner loosely assembled.
(b) Position guide on double ended stud making
sure tab on the guide fits into slot on the gear
cover. Install and tighten nut/washer assembly to
12 N´m (105 in. lbs.).
(c) Place a shim 1 mm (0.039 in.) thick x 70 mm
(2.75 in.) long or between tensioner and chain.
Push tensioner and shim up against the chain.
Apply firm pressure 2.5±3 Kg (5.5±6.6 lbs.)
directly behind the adjustment slot to take up
all slack.Chain must have shoe radius contact as
shown in (Fig. 115).
(d) With the load applied, tighten top tensioner
bolt first, then bottom pivot bolt. Tighten bolts to
12 N´m (105 in. lbs.). Remove shim.
(e) Install carrier covers and tighten screws to
12 N´m (105 in. lbs.).
(12) Install pick-up tube and oil pan.
(13) Fill engine crankcase with proper oil to cor-
rect level.
Fig. 114 Balance Shaft Timing
1 - MARK ON SPROCKET
2 - KEYWAYS UP
3 - ALIGN MARKS
4 - PLATED LINK
5 - PARTING LINE (BEDPLATE TO BLOCK)
6 - PLATED LINK
Fig. 115 Chain Tension Adjustment
1 - 1MM (0.039 IN.) SHIM
2 - TENSIONER (ADJUSTER) BOLT
3 - PIVOT BOLT
KJENGINE9s-63
BALANCE SHAFT (Continued)

BALANCE SHAFT CARRIER
REMOVAL
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/BALANCE
SHAFT - REMOVAL)
INSTALLATION
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/BALANCE
SHAFT - INSTALLATION)
BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN
REMOVAL
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/BALANCE
SHAFT - REMOVAL)
INSTALLATION
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/BALANCE
SHAFT - INSTALLATION)
9s - 64 ENGINEKJ