DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY 2003 Service Manual

INSTALLATION
CAUTION: If 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.
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.
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)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
9 - 42 ENGINE 2.4LRS
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - REAR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

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).
(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).
Fig. 59 Rear Crankshaft SealÐInstallation
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6926±2 INSTALLER
Fig. 60 Piston Measurement
1 - PISTON DIAMETER
2 - 14 mm (0.551 in.)
Fig. 61 Checking Cylinder Bore
Fig. 62 Piston Markings
1 - DIRECTIONAL ARROW WILL BE IMPRINTED IN THIS AREA
RSENGINE 2.4L9-43
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(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).
(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.
Fig. 63 Identify Connecting Rod to Cylinder
Fig. 64 Connecting Rod GuidesÐTypical
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 8189 CONNECTING ROD GUIDES
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
9 - 44 ENGINE 2.4LRS
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(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)
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. 67). 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
Fig. 66 PistonÐInstallation
Fig. 67 Connecting Rod Side Clearance
RSENGINE 2.4L9-45
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

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. 68).
Refer to Engine Specifications.
(2) Check piston ring to groove side clearance (Fig.
69). Refer to Engine Specifications.
REMOVAL
(1) Using a suitable ring expander, remove upper
and intermediate piston rings (Fig. 70).
(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. 71).
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 Piston Ring Gap
1 - FEELER GAUGE
Fig. 69 Piston Ring Side Clearance
1 - FEELER GAUGE
Fig. 70 Piston RingsÐRemoving and Installing
Fig. 71 Piston Ring Installation
1 - NO. 1 PISTON RING
2 - NO. 2 PISTON RING
3 - SIDE RAIL
4 - OIL RING
5 - SPACER EXPANDER
9 - 46 ENGINE 2.4LRS
PISTON RINGS (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

4. No. 2 Intermediate piston ring.
5. No. 1 Upper piston ring.
(1) Install oil ring expander (Fig. 71).
(2) Install upper side rail first and then the lower
side rail. Install the side rails by placing one end
between the piston ring groove and the oil ring
expander. Hold end firmly and press down the por-
tion to be installed until side rail is in position.Do
not use a piston ring expander (Fig. 72).
(3) Install No. 2 piston ring and then No. 1 piston
ring (Fig. 71).
(4)
Position piston ring end gaps as shown in (Fig. 73).
(5) Position oil ring expander gap at least 45É from
the side rail gaps butnoton the piston pin center or
on the thrust direction. Staggering ring gap is impor-
tant for oil control.
VIBRATION DAMPER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove accesory drive belts. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL)
(2) Remove crankshaft damper bolt.
(3) Remove damper using Special Tool 3-Jaw
Puller 1026 and Insert 6827±A (Fig. 74).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install crankshaft vibration damper using M12
1.75 x 150 mm bolt, washer, thrust bearing and nut
from Special Tool 6792 (Fig. 75).
(2) Install crankshaft vibration damper bolt and
tighten to 142 N´m (105 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install accessory drive belts. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
INSTALLATION)
STRUCTURAL COLLAR
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(2) Remove engine front mount bracket and front
insulator mount. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/ENGINE
MOUNTING/FRONT MOUNT - REMOVAL)
(3) Remove structural collar attaching bolts (Fig.
76).
(4) Remove collar.
Fig. 72 Installing Side Rail
1 - SIDE RAIL END
Fig. 73 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. 74 Crankshaft Vibration Damper - Removal
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 1026 3-JAW PULLER
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6827±A INSERT
RSENGINE 2.4L9-47
PISTON RINGS (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Torque procedure for the structural collar
must be followed or damage could occur to oil pan
and collar.
(1) Perform the following steps for installing struc-
tural collar. Refer to (Fig. 76):²Step 1: Position collar between transaxle and oil
pan. Install collar to transaxle bolt,hand start
only.
²Step 2: Install collar to oil pan bolts,hand snug
only.
²Step 3: Final torque collar to transaxle bolts to
101 N´m (75 ft. lbs.)
²Step 4: Final torque collar to oil pan bolts to 54
N´m (40 ft. lbs.).
(2) Install engine front mount bracket and insula-
tor. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/ENGINE MOUNTING/
FRONT MOUNT - INSTALLATION)
(3) Lower vehicle.
ENGINE MOUNTING
DESCRIPTION
The engine mounting system consist of four
mounts; right and a left side support the powertrain,
and a front and a rear mount control powertrain
torque. The right side mount is a hydro-type (Fig.
77), all others are of molded rubber material.
Fig. 75 Crankshaft Vibration Damper - Installation
1 - M12±1.75 ý 150 MM BOLT, WASHER AND THRUST BEARING
FROM SPECIAL TOOL 6792
Fig. 76 Structural Collar
1 - BOLT - COLLAR TO OIL PAN
2 - BOLT - COLLAR TO TRANSAXLE
3 - STRUCTURAL COLLAR
4 - OIL PAN
Fig. 77 Engine Hydro-type Mount - Right Side
1 - BOLT
2 - BOLT
3 - FRAME RAIL
4 - RIGHT MOUNT - 2.4L ENGINE
5 - RIGHT MOUNT - 3.3/3.8L ENGINE
9 - 48 ENGINE 2.4LRS
STRUCTURAL COLLAR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

FRONT MOUNT
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(2) Remove the front engine mount through bolt
from the insulator (Fig. 78).
(3) Remove the engine front mount bolts and
remove the insulator assembly (Fig. 78).
(4) Remove the front mounting bracket from
engine, if necessary (Fig. 78).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the front mount bracket to engine, if
removed (Fig. 78).
(2) Install the insulator mount assembly (Fig. 78).
(3) Install the front engine mount through bolt to
the insulator (Fig. 78).
(4) Lower the vehicle.
LEFT MOUNT
REMOVAL
(1) Raise the vehicle on hoist.
(2) Remove the left front wheel.
(3) Remove the left mount through bolt access
cover.
(4) Support the transaxle with a suitable jack.
(5) Remove the engine front mount through bolt to
allow left mount removal clearance (Fig. 78).
(6) Remove the left mount through frame rail bolt
(Fig. 79).
(7) Lower transaxle for access to horizontal bolts.
(8) Remove the horizontal bolts from the mount to
the transaxle (Fig. 80).
NOTE: To remove mount, additional lowering of
transaxle may be required.
(9) Remove left mount.
Fig. 78 Front Mount and Bracket
1 - BRACKET - FRONT MOUNT
2 - NUT - 68 N´m (50 ft. lbs.)
3 - BOLT - 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.)
4 - MOUNT - FRONT INSULATOR
5 - BOLT - 68 N´m (50 ft. lbs.)
6 - BOLT - 68 N´m (50 ft. lbs.)
7 - FRONT CROSSMEMBER
Fig. 79 LEFT MOUNT TO BRACKET
1 - BOLT - BRACKET TO FRAME RAIL 68 N´m (50 ft. lbs.)
2 - BOLT - MOUNT TO RAIL THRU 75 N´m (55 ft. lbs.)
3 - BOLT - LEFT MOUNT TO TRANSAXLE 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.)
4 - TRANSAXLE
5 - MOUNT - LEFT
6 - BRACKET - LEFT MOUNT
RSENGINE 2.4L9-49
ProCarManuals.com

INSTALLATION
(1) Install left mount on transaxle (Fig. 80).
(2) Raise transaxle with jack until left mount is in
position.
(3) Install left mount through bolt (Fig. 79).
(4) Install left mount through bolt access cover.
(5) Install front mount through bolt (Fig. 78).
(6) Install left front wheel.
(7) Lower vehicle.
REAR MOUNT
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(2) Remove the rear mount heat shield (Fig. 81).
(3) Remove the through bolt from the mount and
rear mount bracket (Fig. 82).
(4) Remove the mount bolts (Fig. 82).
(5) Remove the rear mount (Fig. 82).
(6) For rear mount bracket removal, remove the
bolts attaching bracket to transaxle (Fig. 83).
(7) Remove rear mount bracket.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install rear mount bracket, if removed (Fig.
83).
(2) Install the rear mount and bolts (Fig. 82).
Tighten bolts to 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.).(3) Install the mount through bolt to the mount
and bracket (Fig. 82). Tighten through bolt to 54 N´m
(40 ft. lbs.).
(4) Install the rear mount heat shield (Fig. 81).
(5) Lower vehicle on hoist.
Fig. 80 LEFT MOUNT - 41TE TRANSAXLE
1 - LEFT MOUNT ASSEMBLY
2 - BOLT - 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.)
3 - TRANSAXLE - 41TE
Fig. 81 REAR MOUNT HEAT SHIELD
1 - BOLT - HEAT SHIELD 11 N´m (100 in. lbs.)
2 - HEAT SHIELD
3 - CLIP
4 - REAR MOUNT
Fig. 82 REAR MOUNT
1 - BOLT 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.)
2 - REAR MOUNT BRACKET
3 - THRU-BOLT 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.)
4 - REAR MOUNT
9 - 50 ENGINE 2.4LRS
LEFT MOUNT (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

RIGHT MOUNT
REMOVAL
(1) Remove air cleaner housing lid and clean air
hose from throttle body.
(2) Remove air cleaner element and housing.
(3) Disconnect make-up air hose from cylinder
head cover.
(4) Remove the load on the right engine mount by
carefully supporting the engine assembly with a floor
jack.
(5) Disconnect electrical harness support clips from
engine mount bracket.
(6) Remove the vertical bolts attaching the engine
mount to the frame rail (Fig. 84).
(7) Loosen the horizontal bolt attaching the engine
mount to the frame rail (Fig. 84).
(8) Remove the bolts attaching the engine mount
to the engine bracket (Fig. 84).
(9) Remove the right engine mount (Fig. 84).
INSTALLATION
(1) Position right engine mount and install frame
rail to mount vertical bolts (Fig. 84).
(2) Tighten engine right mount to rail horizontal
bolt (Fig. 84).
(3) Install mount to engine bracket bolts (Fig. 84).
(4) Connect electrical harness support clips to
engine mount bracket.
(5) Remove jack from under engine.
(6) Connect make-up air hose to cylinder head
cover.
(7) Install air cleaner housing and element.
(8) Install air cleaner housing lid and clean air
tube to throttle body.
Fig. 83 REAR MOUNT BRACKET - (all engines)
1 - BOLT - VERTICAL 102 N´m (75 ft. lbs.)
2 - BRACKET - REAR MOUNT
3 - BOLT - HORIZONTAL 102 N´m (75 ft. lbs.)
RSENGINE 2.4L9-51
REAR MOUNT (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com