Page 1217 of 2339

(6) Oil the bearings and journals. Install crank-
shaft in the engine block.
CAUTION: Use only MoparTBed Plate Sealant on
the bed plate or damage may occur to the engine.
(7) Install lower main bearings into main bearing
cap/bed plate. Make certain the bearing tabs are
seated into the bed plate slots and apply oil.
(8) Apply 1.5 to 2.0 mm (0.059 to 0.078 in.) bead of
MopartBed Plate Sealant to bed plate as shown in
(Fig. 50).
(9) Install the main bearing/bed plate into engine
block.
(10) Before installing the bolts the threads should
be oiled with clean engine oil, wipe off any excess oil.
(11) Install main bearing bed plate to engine
block bolts 11, 17, and 20 finger tight. Tighten these
bolts down together until the bed plate contacts the
cylinder block.
(12) To ensure correct thrust bearing alignment,
perform the following steps:
²Step 1: Rotate crankshaft until number 4 piston
is at TDC.
²Step 2: Move crankshaft rearward to limits of
travel.
²Step 3: Then, move crankshaft forward to limits
of travel.
²Step 4: Wedge an appropriate tool between the
rear of the cylinder block(NOT BED PLATE)and
the rear crankshaft counterweight. This will hold the
crankshaft in it's furthest forward position.²Step 5: Install and tighten bolts (1±10) in
sequence shown in (Fig. 51) to 41 N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
²Step 6: Remove wedge tool used to hold crank-
shaft.
(13) Tighten bolts (1±10) again to 41 N´m (30 ft.
lbs.) in sequence shown in (Fig. 51).
CAUTION: Do Not use a torque wrench for the fol-
lowing step.
Fig. 49 Target Ring Torque SequenceFig. 50 Bed Plate Sealing
Fig. 51 Main Bearing Caps/Bed Plate Bolt Torque
Sequence
9 - 40 ENGINE 2.4LRS
CRANKSHAFT (Continued)
Page 1218 of 2339

(14) Turn bolts (1±10) an additional 1/4 turn in
sequence shown in (Fig. 51).
(15) Install main bearing bed plate to engine
block bolts (11±20), and torque each bolt to 28 N´m
(250 in. lbs.) in sequence shown in. (Fig. 51)
(16) Tighten bolts (11±20) again to 28 N´m (250 in.
lbs.) in sequence shown in (Fig. 51).
(17) After the main bearing bed plate is installed,
check the crankshaft turning torque. The turning
torque should not exceed 5.6 N´m (50 in. lbs.).
(18) Check crankshaft end play (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/CRANKSHAFT - STAN-
DARD PROCEDURE).
(19) Install connecting rod bearings and caps.Do
Not Reuse Connecting Rod Bolts.Torque connect-
ing rod bolts to 27 N´m (20 ft. lbs.) plus 1/4 turn.
(20) Install balance shafts and housing assembly
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/BALANCE
SHAFT - INSTALLATION).
(21) Install the oil pump (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
LUBRICATION/OIL PUMP - INSTALLATION).
(22) Install oil pump pick-up tube. Torque fastener
to 28 N´m (20 ft.. lbs.).
(23) Install the oil pan (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LU-
BRICATION/OIL PAN - INSTALLATION).
(24) Install crankshaft position sensor.
(25) Install cylinder head if it was removed (Refer
to 9 - ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD - INSTALLA-
TION).
(26) Install the timing belt rear cover (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT COVER(S)
- INSTALLATION).
(27) Install crankshaft sprocket (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT AND
SPROCKETS - INSTALLATION).
(28) Install the timing belt (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT AND SPROCKETS -
INSTALLATION).
(29) Install the timing belt front covers (Refer to 9
- ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT COV-
ER(S) - INSTALLATION).
(30) Install engine mount support bracket.
(31) InstallNEWoil filter.
(32) Install crankshaft rear oil seal (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/CRANKSHAFT OIL
SEAL - REAR - INSTALLATION).
(33) Install flex plate. Apply MopartLock & Seal
Adhesive to bolt threads and tighten to 95 N´m (70
ft. lbs.).
(34) Attach transaxle to engine. Tighten attaching
bolts to 101 N´m (75 ft. lbs.).
(35) Install the engine assembly (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE - INSTALLATION).CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL -
FRONT
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the crankshaft vibration damper.
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION
DAMPER - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove timing belt. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND
SPROCKETS - REMOVAL)
(3) Remove crankshaft sprocket using Special Tool
6793 and insert C-4685-C2 (Fig. 52).
CAUTION: Do not nick shaft seal surface or seal
bore.
(4) Using Tool 6771 to remove front crankshaft oil
seal (Fig. 53). Be careful not to damage the seal sur-
face of cover.
Fig. 52 Crankshaft Sprocket - Removal
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6793
2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4685±C2
3 - CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET
Fig. 53 Front Crankshaft Oil Seal - Removal
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6771
2 - REAR TIMING BELT COVER
RSENGINE 2.4L9-41
CRANKSHAFT (Continued)
Page 1219 of 2339

INSTALLATION
(1) Install new seal by using Special Tool 6780
(Fig. 54).
(2) Place seal into opening with seal spring
towards the inside of engine. Install seal until flush
with cover.
(3) Install crankshaft sprocket using Special Tool
6792 (Fig. 55).
(4) Install timing belt. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND
SPROCKETS - INSTALLATION)
(5) Install crankshaft vibration damper. (Refer to 9
- ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER -
INSTALLATION)
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL -
REAR
REMOVAL
(1) Remove transaxle. Refer to TRANSMISSION/
TRANSAXLE - REMOVAL for procedure.
(2) Remove flex plate.
(3) Insert a 3/16 flat bladed screwdriver between
the dust lip and the metal case of the crankshaft
seal. Angle the screwdriver (Fig. 56)through the dust
lip against metal case of the seal. Pry out seal.
CAUTION: Do not permit the screwdriver blade to
contact crankshaft seal surface. Contact of the
screwdriver blade against crankshaft edge (cham-
fer) is permitted.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: If a burr or scratch is present on the
crankshaft edge (chamfer), cleanup with 400 grit
sand paper to prevent seal damage during installa-
tion of new seal.
Fig. 54 Crankshaft Front Oil Seal - Installation
1 - PROTECTOR
2 - SEAL
3 - SPECIAL TOOL 6780
Fig. 55 Crankshaft Sprocket - Installation
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6792
2 - TIGHTEN NUT TO INSTALL
9 - 42 ENGINE 2.4LRS
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - FRONT (Continued)
Page 1220 of 2339

NOTE: When installing seal, no lube on seal is
needed.
(1) Place Special Tool 6926-1 Seal Guide on crank-
shaft (Fig. 57).
(2) Position seal over guide tool (Fig. 57). Guide
tool should remain on crankshaft during installation
of seal. Ensure that the lip of the seal is facing
towards the crankcase during installation.
CAUTION: If the seal is driven into the block past
flush, this may cause an oil leak.
(3) Drive the seal into the block using Special Tool
6926-2 and handle C-4171 (Fig. 58) until the tool bot-
toms out against the block (Fig. 59).
(4) Install flex plate. Apply MopartLock & Seal
Adhesive to bolt threads and tighten bolts to 95 N´m
(70 ft. lbs.).
(5) Install transaxle. Refer to TRANSMISSION/
TRANSAXLE - INSTALLATION for procedure.
Fig. 56 Rear Crankshaft Oil Seal - Removal
1 - REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL
2 - ENGINE BLOCK
3 - ENGINE BLOCK
4 - REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL METAL CASE
5 - PRY IN THIS DIRECTION
6 - CRANKSHAFT
7 - SCREWDRIVER
8 - REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL DUST LIP
9 - SCREWDRIVER
Fig. 57 Rear Crankshaft Seal and Special Tool
6926-1
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6926±1 PILOT
2 - SEAL
Fig. 58 Crankshaft Seal and Special Tools 6926-2 &
C-4171
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6926±1 PILOT
2 - SEAL
3 - SPECIAL TOOL 6926±2 INSTALLER
4 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171
RSENGINE 2.4L9-43
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - REAR (Continued)
Page 1221 of 2339

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.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - PISTON TO
CYLINDER BORE FITTING
NOTE: Pistons and cylinder bores should be mea-
sured at normal room temperature, 21ÉC (70ÉF).
Piston and cylinder wall must be clean and dry.
Piston diameter should be measured 90 degrees to
piston pin.
Piston measurement should be taken approxi-
mately 14 mm (0.551 in.) from the bottom of the skirt
as shown in (Fig. 60)Cylinder bores should be measured halfway down
the cylinder bore and transverse (measurement loca-
tion B) to the engine crankshaft center line shown in
(Fig. 61). Refer to for Engine Specifications (Refer to
9 - ENGINE - SPECIFICATIONS). Correct piston to
bore clearance must be established in order to assure
quiet and economical operation.REMOVAL
(1) Remove cylinder head (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
CYLINDER HEAD - REMOVAL).
(2) Remove oil pan (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LUBRI-
CATION/OIL PAN - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove Balance Shaft Carrier Assembly (Refer
to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/BALANCE SHAFT
CARRIER - REMOVAL).
Fig. 59 Rear Crankshaft Seal - Installation
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6926±2 INSTALLER
Fig. 60 Piston Measurement
1 - PISTON DIAMETER
2 - 14 mm (0.551 in.)
Fig. 61 Checking Cylinder Bore
9 - 44 ENGINE 2.4LRS
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - REAR (Continued)
Page 1222 of 2339

(4) 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.
(5) Pistons have a directional stamping in the
front half of the piston facing towards thefrontof
engine (Fig. 62).
(6) Pistons and connecting rods must be removed
from top of cylinder block. Rotate crankshaft so that
each connecting rod is centered in cylinder bore.
(7) Using a permanent ink or paint marker, iden-
tify cylinder number on each connecting rod cap (Fig.
63).
CAUTION: DO NOT use a number stamp or a punch
to mark connecting rods. Damage to connecting
rod could occur.
(8) Remove connecting rod bolts and cap. Care
should be taken not to damage the fracture rod and
cap surfaces.
NOTE: Do not reuse connecting rod bolts.
CAUTION: Care must be taken not to damage the
fractured rod and cap joint surfaces, as engine
damage many occur.
(9) To protect crankshaft journal and fractured rod
surfaces, install Special Tool 8189, connecting rod
guides onto connecting rod (Fig. 64). Carefully push
each piston and rod assembly out of cylinder bore.
(10) Remove Special Tool 8189, connecting rod
guides and re-install bearing cap on the mating rod.
NOTE: Piston and rods are serviced as an assem-
bly.(11) Repeat procedure for each piston and connect-
ing rod assembly.
(12) Remove piston rings (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
ENGINE BLOCK/PISTON RINGS - REMOVAL).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install piston rings on piston (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/PISTON RINGS -
INSTALLATION)
(2) Before installing pistons and connecting rod
assemblies into the bore, be sure that compression
ring gaps are staggered so that neither is in line with
oil ring rail gap (Fig. 65).
(3) Before installing the ring compressor, make
sure the oil ring expander ends are butted and the
rail gaps located as shown in (Fig. 65). As viewed
from top.
(4) Immerse the piston head and rings in clean
engine oil, slide the ring compressor, over the piston
(Fig. 66).Be sure position of rings does not
change during this operation.
(5) The directional stamp on the piston should face
toward the front of the engine (Fig. 62).
Fig. 62 Piston Markings
1 - DIRECTIONAL ARROW WILL BE IMPRINTED IN THIS AREA
Fig. 63 Identify Connectng Rod to Cylinder - Typical
Fig. 64 Connecting Rod Guides - Typical
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 8189 CONNECTING ROD GUIDES
RSENGINE 2.4L9-45
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)
Page 1223 of 2339

(6) Rotate crankshaft so that the connecting rod
journal is on the center of the cylinder bore. Lubri-
cate connecting rod journal with clean engine oil.
(7) Install connecting rod upper bearing half into
connecting rod. Install Special Tool 8189, connecting
rod guides onto connecting rod (Fig. 64).
(8) Tap the piston down in cylinder bore, using a
hammer handle. At the same time, guide connecting
rod into position on connecting rod journal.
(9) Remove Special Tool 8189, connecting rod
guides.
NOTE: The connecting rod cap bolts should not be
reused.
(10) Before installing theNEWbolts, the threads
should be coated with clean engine oil.
(11) Install connecting rod lower bearing half into
connecting rod cap. Install connecting rod cap.(12) Install each bolt finger tight then alternately
torque each bolt to assemble the cap properly.
(13) Tighten the connecting rod bolts using the 2
step torque-turn method. Tighten according to the
following values:
CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for the sec-
ond step.
1. Tighten the bolts to 27 N´m (20 ft. lbs.).
2. Tighten the connecting rod bolts an additional
1/4 TURN.
(14) Using a feeler gauge, check connecting rod
side clearance (Fig. 67). (Refer to 9 - ENGINE -
SPECIFICATIONS) for connecting rod side clearance.
(15) Install Balance Shaft Carrier Assembly (Refer
to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/BALANCE SHAFT
CARRIER - INSTALLATION).
(16) Install oil pan (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LUBRI-
CATION/OIL PAN - INSTALLATION).
(17) Install cylinder head (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
CYLINDER HEAD - INSTALLATION).
CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE
CONNECTING ROD - FITTING
(1) For measuring connecting rod bearing clear-
ance procedure and use of Plastigage(Refer to 9 -
ENGINE - STANDARD PROCEDURE). For bearing
clearance refer to Engine Specifications. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE - SPECIFICATIONS)
Fig. 65 Piston Ring End Gap Position
1 - GAP OF LOWER SIDE RAIL
2 - NO. 1 RING GAP
3 - GAP OF UPPER SIDE RAIL
4 - NO. 2 RING GAP AND SPACER EXPANDER GAP
Fig. 66 PistonÐInstallation
Fig. 67 Checking Connecting Rod Side Clearance -
Typical
9 - 46 ENGINE 2.4LRS
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)
Page 1224 of 2339

NOTE: The rod bearing bolts should not be reused.
(2) Before installing theNEWbolts the threads
should be oiled with clean engine oil.
(3) Install each bolt finger tight then alternately
torque each bolt to assemble the cap properly.
(4) Tighten the connecting rod bolts using the 2
step torque-turn method. Tighten according to the
following values:
CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for the sec-
ond step.
1. Tighten the bolts to 27 N´m (20 ft. lbs.).
2. Tighten the connecting rod bolts an additional
1/4 TURN.
(5) Using a feeler gauge, check connecting rod side
clearance (Fig. 68). Refer to clearance specifications
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE - SPECIFICATIONS).
PISTON RINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE
PISTON RING - FITTING
(1) Wipe cylinder bore clean. Insert ring and push
down with piston to ensure it is square in bore. The
ring gap measurement must be made with the ring
positioning at least 12 mm (0.50 inch) from bottom of
cylinder bore. Check gap with feeler gauge (Fig. 69).
Refer to Engine Specifications.
(2) Check piston ring to groove side clearance (Fig.
70). Refer to Engine Specifications.
REMOVAL
(1) Using a suitable ring expander, remove upper
and intermediate piston rings (Fig. 71).
(2) Remove the upper oil ring side rail, lower oil
ring side rail and then oil ring expander from piston.(3) Clean ring grooves of any carbon deposits.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: The identification mark on face of upper and
intermediate piston rings must point toward top of
piston.
Install rings with manufacturers identification
mark facing up, to the top of the piston (Fig. 72).
CAUTION: Install piston rings in the following
order:
1. Oil ring expander.
2. Upper oil ring side rail.
3. Lower oil ring side rail.
Fig. 68 Connecting Rod Side Clearance - Typical
Fig. 69 Piston Ring Gap
1 - FEELER GAUGE
Fig. 70 Piston Ring Side Clearance
1 - FEELER GAUGE
RSENGINE 2.4L9-47
CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS (Continued)