DODGE RAM 2003 Service Repair Manual
Manufacturer: DODGE, Model Year: 2003, Model line: RAM, Model: DODGE RAM 2003Pages: 2895, PDF Size: 83.15 MB
Page 1331 of 2895

Fig. 107 CAMSHAFT SPROCKET V6 MARKS, (#1 TDC EXHAUST STROKE)
1 - LEFT CYLINDER HEAD2 - RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD
Fig. 108 Engine Top Dead Center
1 - TIMING CHAIN COVER
2 - CRANKSHAFT TIMING MARKS
Fig. 109 Cylinder Head Access Plugs
1 - RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD ACCESS PLUG
2 - LEFT CYLINDER HEAD ACCESS PLUG
9 - 82 ENGINE - 3.7LDR
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)
Page 1332 of 2895

(8) Remove the oil fill housing to gain access to the
right side tensioner arm fastener.
(9) Remove crankshaft damper (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER -
REMOVAL) and timing chain cover(Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT / CHAIN
COVER(S) - REMOVAL).
(10) Collapse and pin primary chain tensioner.
CAUTION: Plate behind left secondary chain ten-
sioner could fall into oil pan. Therefore, cover pan
opening.
(11) Remove secondary chain tensioners.
(12) Remove camshaft position sensor (Fig. 110).
CAUTION: Care should be taken not to damage
camshaft target wheel. Do not hold target wheel
while loosening or tightening camshaft sprocket.
Do not place the target wheel near a magnetic
source of any kind. A damaged or magnetized tar-
get wheel could cause a vehicle no start condition.CAUTION: Do not forcefully rotate the camshafts or
crankshaft independently of each other. Damaging
intake valve to piston contact will occur. Ensure
negative battery cable is disconnected to guard
against accidental starter engagement.
(13) Remove left and right camshaft sprocket bolts.
(14) While holding the left camshaft steel tube
with Special Tool 8428 Camshaft Wrench, remove the
left camshaft sprocket. Slowly rotate the camshaft
approximately 5 degrees clockwise to a neutral posi-
tion.
(15) While holding the right camshaft steel tube
with Special Tool 8428 Camshaft Wrench, remove the
right camshaft sprocket.
(16) Remove idler sprocket assembly bolt.
(17) Slide the idler sprocket assembly and crank
sprocket forward simultaneously to remove the pri-
mary and secondary chains.
(18) Remove both pivoting tensioner arms and
chain guides.
(19) Remove primary chain tensioner.
INSPECTION
Inspect the following components:
²Sprockets for excessive tooth wear. Some tooth
markings are normal and not a cause for sprocket
replacement.
²Idler sprocket assembly bushing and shaft for
excessive wear.
²Idler sprocket assembly spline joint. The joint
should be tight with no backlash or axial movement.
²Chain guides and tensioner arms. Replace these
parts if grooving in plastic face is more than 1 mm
(0.039 in.) deep. If plastic face is severely grooved or
melted, the tensioner lube jet may be clogged. The
tensioner should be replaced.
²Secondary chain tensioner piston and ratcheting
device. Inspect for evidence of heavy contact between
tensioner piston and tensioner arm. If this condition
exist the tensioner tensioner arm and chain should
be replaced.
²Primary chain tensioner plastic faces. Replace as
required.
Fig. 110 Camshaft Position Sensor
1 - CYLINDER HEAD
2 - CAMSAHFT POSITION SENSOR
3 - SCREW
DRENGINE - 3.7L 9 - 83
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)
Page 1333 of 2895

INSTALLATION
(1) Using a vise, lightly compress the secondary
chain tensioner piston until the piston step is flush
with the tensioner body. Using a pin or suitable tool,
release ratchet pawl by pulling pawl back against
spring force through access hole on side of tensioner.
While continuing to hold pawl back, Push ratchet
device to approximately 2 mm from the tensioner
body. Install Special Tool 8514 lock pin into hole on
front of tensioner (Fig. 111). Slowly open vise to
transfer piston spring force to lock pin.
(2) Position primary chain tensioner over oil pump
and insert bolts into lower two holes on tensioner
bracket. Tighten bolts to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
(3) Install right side chain tensioner arm. Install
Torxtbolt. Tighten Torxtbolt to 28 N´m (250 in.
lbs.).
CAUTION: The silver bolts retain the guides to the
cylinder heads and the black bolts retain the guides
to the engine block.(4) Install the left side chain guide. Tighten the
bolts to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
(5) Install left side chain tensioner arm, and Torxt
bolt. Tighten Torxtbolt to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
(6) Install the right side chain guide. Tighten the
bolts to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
(7) Install both secondary chains onto the idler
sprocket. Align two plated links on the secondary
chains to be visible through the two lower openings
on the idler sprocket (4 o'clock and 8 o'clock). Once
the secondary timing chains are installed, position
special tool 8429 to hold chains in place for installa-
tion.
(8) Align primary chain double plated links with
the timing mark at 12 o'clock on the idler sprocket.
Align the primary chain single plated link with the
timing mark at 6 o'clock on the crankshaft sprocket.
(9) Lubricate idler shaft and bushings with clean
engine oil.
NOTE: The idler sprocket must be timed to the
counterbalance shaft drive gear before the idler
sprocket is fully seated.
Fig. 111 RESETTING SECONDARY CHAIN
TENSIONERS
1 - VISE
2 - INSERT LOCK PIN
3 - RATCHET PAWL
4 - RATCHET
5 - PISTON
Fig. 112 INSTALLING IDLER GEAR, PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 8429
2 - PRIMARY CHAIN IDLER SPROCKET
3 - CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET
9 - 84 ENGINE - 3.7LDR
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)
Page 1334 of 2895

(10) Install all chains, crankshaft sprocket, and
idler sprocket as an assembly (Fig. 112). After guid-
ing both secondary chains through the block and cyl-
inder head openings, affix chains with a elastic strap
or equivalent. This will maintain tension on chains to
aid in installation. Align the timing mark on the
idler sprocket gear to the timing mark on the coun-
terbalance shaft drive gear, then seat idler sprocket
fully (Fig. 113). Before installing idler sprocket bolt,
lubricate washer with oil, and tighten idler sprocket
assembly retaining bolt to 34 N´m (25 ft. lbs.).
NOTE: It will be necessary to slightly rotate cam-
shafts for sprocket installation.
(11) Align left camshaft sprocket ªLº dot to plated
link on chain.
(12) Align right camshaft sprocket ªRº dot to
plated link on chain.
CAUTION: Remove excess oil from the camshaft
sprocket bolt. Failure to do so can result in over-
torque of bolt resulting in bolt failure.
(13) Remove Special Tool 8429, then attach both
sprockets to camshafts. Remove excess oil from bolts,
then Install sprocket bolts, but do not tighten at this
time.(14) Verify that all plated links are aligned with
the marks on all sprockets and the ªV6º marks on
camshaft sprockets are at the 12 o'clock position.
CAUTION: Ensure the plate between the left sec-
ondary chain tensioner and block is correctly
installed.
(15) Install both secondary chain tensioners.
Tighten bolts to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
NOTE: Left and right secondary chain tensioners
are not common.
(16) Remove all locking pins (3) from tensioners.
CAUTION: After pulling locking pins out of each
tensioner, DO NOT manually extend the tensioner(s)
ratchet. Doing so will over tension the chains,
resulting in noise and/or high timing chain loads.
(17) Using Special Tool 6958, Spanner with Adap-
tor Pins 8346, tighten left (Fig. 114) and right (Fig.
115). camshaft sprocket bolts to 122 N´m (90 ft. lbs.).
Fig. 113 COUNTERBALANCE SHAFT ALIGNMENT
MARKS
1 - COUNTERBALANCE SHAFT GEAR
2 - TIMING MARK
3 - IDLER SPROCKET GEAR
Fig. 114 TIGHTENING LEFT SIDE CAMSHAFT
SPROCKET BOLT
1 - TORQUE WRENCH
2 - CAMSHAFT SPROCKET
3 - LEFT CYLINDER HEAD
4 - SPECIAL TOOL 6958 SPANNER WITH ADAPTER PINS 8346
DRENGINE - 3.7L 9 - 85
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)
Page 1335 of 2895

(18) Rotate engine two full revolutions. Verify tim-
ing marks are at the follow locations:
²primary chain idler sprocket dot is at 12 o'clock
²primary chain crankshaft sprocket dot is at 6
o'clock
²secondary chain camshaft sprockets ªV6º marks
are at 12 o'clock
²counterbalancer shaft drive gear dot is aligned
to the idler sprocket gear dot
(19) Lubricate all three chains with engine oil.
(20) After installing all chains, it is recommended
that the idler gear end play be checked. The end play
must be within 0.10±0.25 mm (0.004±0.010 in.). If
not within specification, the idler gear must be
replaced (Fig. 116).
(21) Install timing chain cover and crankshaft
damper. Refer to procedures.
(22) Install cylinder head covers(Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/CYLINDER HEAD
COVER(S) - INSTALLATION).NOTE: Before installing threaded plug in right cylin-
der head, the plug must be coated with sealant to
prevent leaks.
(23) Coat the large threaded access plug with
MopartThread Sealant with Teflon, then install
into the right cylinder head and tighten to 81 N´m
(60 ft. lbs.).
(24) Install the oil fill housing.
(25) Install access plug in left cylinder head.
(26) Install power steering pump(Refer to 19 -
STEERING/PUMP - INSTALLATION).
(27) Fill cooling system(Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(28) Connect negative cable to battery.
Fig. 115 TIGHTENING RIGHT SIDE CAMSHAFT
SPROCKET BOLT
1 - TORQUE WRENCH
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6958 WITH ADAPTER PINS 8346
3 - LEFT CAMSHAFT SPROCKET
4 - RIGHT CAMSHAFT SPROCKETFig. 116 MEASURING IDLER GEAR END PLAY
1 - IDLER SPROCKET ASSEMBLY
2 - DIAL INDICATOR
9 - 86 ENGINE - 3.7LDR
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)
Page 1336 of 2895

ENGINE - 4.7L
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
ENGINE - 4.7L
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE
DIAGNOSIS - PERFORMANCE...........89
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE
DIAGNOSIS - MECHANICAL.............91
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CYLINDER
COMPRESSION PRESSURE.............92
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CYLINDER
COMBUSTION PRESSURE LEAKAGE......92
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE
DIAGNOSIS - INTRODUCTION...........93
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REPAIR
DAMAGED OR WORN THREADS.........93
STANDARD PROCEDURE - FORM-IN-
PLACE GASKETS AND SEALERS.........93
REMOVAL.............................94
INSTALLATION.........................96
SPECIFICATIONS
4.7L ENGINE.........................98
TORQUE...........................101
SPECIAL TOOLS
4.7L ENGINE........................102
AIR CLEANER ELEMENT
REMOVAL............................105
INSTALLATION........................105
CYLINDER HEAD
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION - CYLINDER HEAD.......106
DESCRIPTION - VALVE GUIDES.........106
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - LEFT CYLINDER HEAD......106
REMOVAL - RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD.....108
CLEANING...........................110
INSPECTION..........................110
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - LEFT CYLINDER HEAD . . . 110
INSTALLATION - RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD . . 111
CAMSHAFT(S) - LEFT
DESCRIPTION........................113
REMOVAL............................113
INSTALLATION........................114
CAMSHAFT(S) - RIGHT
DESCRIPTION........................117
REMOVAL............................117
INSTALLATION........................118
CYLINDER HEAD COVER(S)
DESCRIPTION........................121REMOVAL
REMOVAL - RIGHT SIDE...............121
REMOVAL - LEFT SIDE................121
CLEANING...........................121
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - RIGHT SIDE...........121
INSTALLATIONÐLEFT SIDE............122
INTAKE/EXHAUST VALVES & SEATS
DESCRIPTION........................122
REMOVAL............................122
INSTALLATION........................123
ROCKER ARM / ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY
DESCRIPTION........................124
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HYDRAULIC
LASH ADJUSTER.....................124
REMOVAL............................124
INSTALLATION........................124
VALVE SPRINGS
DESCRIPTION........................125
REMOVAL............................125
INSTALLATION........................126
VALVE STEM SEALS
DESCRIPTION........................126
ENGINE BLOCK
DESCRIPTION........................126
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐCYLINDER BORE
HONING...........................126
CLEANING...........................127
INSPECTION.........................127
CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CONNECTING
ROD BEARING FITTING...............128
CORE PLUGS
REMOVAL............................129
INSTALLATION........................130
CRANKSHAFT
DESCRIPTION........................130
REMOVAL............................130
INSPECTION.........................131
INSTALLATION........................131
CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARINGS
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐCRANKSHAFT
MAIN BEARING - FITTING..............133
INSPECTION.........................133
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - FRONT
REMOVAL............................134
INSTALLATION........................134
DRENGINE - 4.7L 9 - 87
Page 1337 of 2895

CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - REAR
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REAR SEAL
AREA LEAKS........................135
REMOVAL............................135
INSTALLATION........................136
FLEX PLATE
REMOVAL............................137
INSTALLATION........................137
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD
DESCRIPTION........................137
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐPISTON FITTING . 137
REMOVAL............................137
CLEANING...........................138
INSPECTION.........................138
INSTALLATION........................139
PISTON RINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE - PISTON RING
FITTING............................140
VIBRATION DAMPER
REMOVAL............................141
INSTALLATION........................142
STRUCTURAL COVER
DESCRIPTION........................143
OPERATION..........................143
REMOVAL............................143
INSTALLATION........................143
FRONT MOUNT
REMOVAL............................144
INSTALLATION........................144
REAR MOUNT
REMOVAL............................147
INSTALLATION........................147
LUBRICATION
DESCRIPTION........................148
OPERATION..........................148
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CHECKING
ENGINE OIL PRESSURE...............150
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTINGÐENGINE OIL
LEAK..............................150
OIL
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ENGINE OIL
SERVICE...........................151
OIL FILTER
REMOVAL............................152
INSTALLATION........................153
OIL PAN
REMOVAL............................153
INSTALLATION........................153OIL PRESSURE SENSOR/SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION.......................154
DESCRIPTION.......................154
OPERATION
OPERATION........................154
OPERATION........................154
REMOVAL............................154
INSTALLATION........................154
OIL PUMP
REMOVAL............................154
DISASSEMBLY........................155
CLEANING...........................155
INSPECTION.........................155
ASSEMBLY...........................156
INSTALLATION........................157
INTAKE MANIFOLD
DESCRIPTION........................157
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTINGÐINTAKE
MANIFOLD LEAKAGE.................157
REMOVAL............................157
CLEANING...........................158
INSPECTION.........................158
INSTALLATION........................158
EXHAUST MANIFOLD
DESCRIPTION........................159
REMOVAL............................159
CLEANING...........................161
INSPECTION.........................161
INSTALLATION........................162
VALVE TIMING
DESCRIPTIONÐTIMING DRIVE SYSTEM....164
OPERATION - TIMING DRIVE SYSTEM.....164
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐMEASURING
TIMING CHAIN WEAR.................165
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ENGINE TIMING
- VERIFICATION.....................165
TIMING BELT / CHAIN COVER(S)
REMOVAL............................168
INSTALLATION........................169
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS
REMOVAL............................169
INSPECTION.........................171
INSTALLATION........................172
IDLER SHAFT
REMOVAL............................175
INSTALLATION........................175
9 - 88 ENGINE - 4.7LDR
Page 1338 of 2895

ENGINE - 4.7L
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE DIAGNOSIS - PERFORMANCE
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION
ENGINE WILL NOT START 1. Weak battery 1. Charge or replace as necessary.
2. Corroded or loose battery
connections.2. Clean and tighten battery
connections. Apply a coat of light
mineral grease to the terminals.
3. Faulty starter. 3. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
STARTING - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING).
4. Faulty coil or control unit. 4. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
IGNITION CONTROL/IGNITION
COIL - REMOVAL).
5. Incorrect spark plug gap. 5. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
IGNITION CONTROL/SPARK PLUG
- CLEANING).
6. Dirt or water in fuel system. 6. Clean system and replace fuel
filter.
7. Faulty fuel pump, relay or wiring. 7. Repair or replace as necessary.
ENGINE STALLS OR ROUGH IDLE 1. Idle speed set to low. 1. (Refer to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/
FUEL INJECTION/IDLE AIR
CONTROL MOTOR - REMOVAL).
2. Idle mixture too lean or too rich. 2. Refer to Powertrain Diagnosis
Information.
3. Vacuum leak. 3. Inspect intake manifold and
vacuum hoses, repair or replace as
necessary.
4. Faulty coil. 4. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
IGNITION CONTROL/IGNITION
COIL - REMOVAL).
5. Incorrect engine timing. 5. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE
TIMING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
1. ENGINE LOSS OF POWER 1. Dirty or incorrectly gapped spark
plugs.1. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
IGNITION CONTROL/SPARK PLUG
- CLEANING).
2. Dirt or water in fuel system. 2. Clean system and replace fuel
filter.
3. Faulty fuel pump. 3. (Refer to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/
FUEL DELIVERY/FUEL PUMP -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
4. Blown cylinder head gasket. 4. Replace cylinder head gasket.
DRENGINE - 4.7L 9 - 89
Page 1339 of 2895

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION
5. Low compression. 5. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
6. Burned, warped or pitted valves. 6. Replace as necessary.
7. Plugged or restricted exhaust
system.7. Inspect and replace as
necessary.
8. Faulty coil. 8. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
IGNITION CONTROL/IGNITION
COIL - REMOVAL).
1. ENGINE MISSES ON
ACCELERATION1. Spark plugs dirty or incorrectly
gapped.1. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
IGNITION CONTROL/SPARK PLUG
- CLEANING).
2. Dirt in fuel system. 2. Clean fuel system.
3. Burned, warped or pitted valves. 3. Replcae as necessary.
4. Faulty coil. 4. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
IGNITION CONTROL/IGNITION
COIL - REMOVAL).
1. ENGINE MISSES AT HIGH
SPEED1. Spark plugs dirty or incorrectly
gapped.1. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
IGNITION CONTROL/SPARK PLUG
- CLEANING).
2. Faulty coil. 2. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
IGNITION CONTROL/IGNITION
COIL - REMOVAL).
3. Dirt or water in fuel system. 3. Clean system and replace fuel
filter.
9 - 90 ENGINE - 4.7LDR
ENGINE - 4.7L (Continued)
Page 1340 of 2895

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE DIAGNOSIS - MECHANICAL
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTIONS
NOISY VALVES 1. High or low oil level in
crankcase.1. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE -
SPECIFICATIONS)
2. Thin or diluted oil. 2. Change oil and filter.
3. Low oil pressure. 3. Check oil pump, if Ok, check rod
and main bearings for excessive
wear.
4. Dirt in lash adjusters. 4. Replace as necessary.
5. Worn rocker arms. 5. Replace as necessary.
6. Worn lash adjusters 6. Replace as necessary.
7. Worn valve guides. 7. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/CYLINDER
HEAD/INTAKE/EXHAUST VALVES
& SEATS - STANDARD
PROCEDURE)
8. Excessive runout of valve seats
on valve faces.8. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/CYLINDER
HEAD/INTAKE/EXHAUST VALVES
& SEATS - STANDARD
PROCEDURE)
CONNECTING ROD NOISE 1. Insufficient oil supply. 1. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE -
SPECIFICATIONS)
2. Low oil pressure. 2. Check oil pump, if Ok, check rod
and main bearings for excessive
wear.
3. Thin or diluted oil. 3. Change oil and filter.
4. Excessive bearing clearance. 4. Replace as necessary.
5. Connecting rod journal
out-of-round.5. Service or replace crankshaft.
6. Misaligned connecting rods. 6. Replace bent connecting rods.
MAIN BEARING NOISE 1. Insufficient oil supply. 1. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE -
SPECIFICATIONS)
2. Low oil pressure. 2. Check oil pump, if Ok, check rod
and main bearings for excessive
wear.
3. Thin or diluted oil. 3. Change oil and filter.
4. Excessive bearing clearance. 4. Replace as necessary.
5. Excessive end play. 5. Check thrust washers for wear.
6. Crankshaft journal out-of round. 6. Service or replace crankshaft.
7. Loose flywheel or torque
converter.7. Tighten to correct torque
DRENGINE - 4.7L 9 - 91
ENGINE - 4.7L (Continued)