Timing Chain

1. Remove the timing chain cover Timing Chain & Sprockets - Removal.
2. To determine if the secondary timing chains are worn, rotate the engine clockwise until maximum tensioner piston (2) extension is obtained. Measure the distance between the secondary timing chain tensioner housing (Figure 1) and the step ledge on the piston. The measurement at point (A) must be less than 15mm (.5906 inches).
3. If the measurement exceeds the specification the secondary timing chains are worn and require replacement Timing Chain & Sprockets - Removal.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain the cooling system Service and Repair.
3. Remove right and left cylinder head covers Cylinder Head Cover(s) - Removal.
4. Remove the radiator fan shroud Electric Radiator Fan - Removal.
5. Rotate engine until the timing mark on crankshaft damper (2) aligns with TDC mark on timing chain cover (2) and the camshaft sprocket "V6" marks (Figure 1) are at the 12 o'clock position (No. 1 TDC exhaust stroke). (Figure 2)
6. Remove the power steering pump Power Steering Pump - Removal.
7. Remove the access plugs from the left (2) and right (1) cylinder heads for access to the chain guide fasteners. (Figure 3)
8. Remove the oil fill housing to gain access to the right side tensioner arm fastener.
9. Remove crankshaft damper Vibration Damper - Removal and the timing chain cover Engine Timing Cover(s) - Removal.
10. Collapse and pin primary chain tensioner (1).
11. Remove secondary chain tensioners.
12. Remove camshaft position sensor bolt (3) and remove sensor (2). (Figure 5)
13. Remove left and right camshaft sprocket bolts.
14. While holding the left camshaft steel tube with Camshaft Holder (2), remove the left camshaft sprocket. Slowly rotate the camshaft approximately 15 degrees clockwise to a neutral position.
15. While holding the right camshaft steel tube with Camshaft Holder (2), remove the left camshaft sprocket. Slowly rotate the camshaft approximately 45 degrees counterclockwise to a neutral position.
16. Remove idler sprocket assembly bolt.
17. Slide the idler sprocket assembly and crank sprocket forward simultaneously to remove the primary and secondary chains.
18. Remove both pivoting tensioner arms and chain guides.
19. Remove primary chain tensioner.

1. Using a vise, lightly compress the secondary chain tensioner piston (5) until the piston step is flush with the tensioner body.
2. Using a pin or suitable tool, release the ratchet pawl by pulling the pawl back against spring force through the access hole on the side of the tensioner.
3. While continuing to hold the pawl back, Push the ratchet device to approximately 2 mm from the tensioner body.
4. Install the tensioner pin (3) into the hole on the front of the tensioner. Slowly open the vise (1) to transfer the piston spring force to lock pin.
5. Position the primary chain tensioner over the oil pump and insert the bolts into the lower two holes on the tensioner bracket and tighten the bolts to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.).
6. Install the right side chain tensioner arm. Install the Torx(R) bolt and tighten Torx(R) bolt to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.).
7. Install the left side chain guide and tighten the bolts to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.).
8. Install the left side chain tensioner arm and the Torx(R) bolt and tighten Torx(R) bolt to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.).
9. Install the right side chain guide and tighten the bolts to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.).
10. Install both secondary chains onto the idler sprocket and align the 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 the secondary camshaft chain holder (1) to hold the chains in place for installation.
11. Align primary chain double plated links with the timing mark at 12 o'clock on the idler sprocket and align the primary chain single plated link with the timing mark at 6 o'clock on the crankshaft sprocket.
12. Lubricate the idler shaft and bushings with clean engine oil.
13. Install all chains, crankshaft sprocket, and idler sprocket as an assembly.
14. Guide both secondary chains through the block and cylinder head openings.
15. Affix the chains with an elastic strap or equivalent. This will maintain tension on chains to aid in the installation.
16. Align the timing mark (2) on the idler sprocket gear (3) to the timing mark on the counterbalance shaft drive gear (1), then seat idler sprocket fully.
17. Lubricate the idler sprocket bolt washer with oil, install the idler sprocket assembly and tighten the retaining bolt to 34 Nm (25 ft. lbs.).
18. Align the left camshaft sprocket "L" dot to the plated link on the chain.
19. Align the right camshaft sprocket "R" dot to the plated link on the chain.
20. Remove the secondary camshaft chain Holder , then attach both sprockets to the camshafts. Remove excess oil from the bolts, then install sprocket bolts, but do not tighten at this time.
21. Verify that all plated links are aligned with the marks on all the sprockets and the "V6" marks on the camshaft sprockets are at the 12 o'clock position.
22. Install both secondary chain tensioners and tighten the bolts to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.).
23. Remove all 3 locking pins from the tensioners.
24. Using the spanner wrench (4) with adaptor pins and a torque wrench (1), tighten the left camshaft sprocket bolt (2) to 122 Nm (90 ft. lbs.)
25. Using the spanner wrench (2) with adaptor pins and a torque wrench (1), tighten the right camshaft sprocket bolt (3) to 122 Nm (90 ft. lbs.)
26. Rotate the engine two full revolutions and verify the timing marks are at the follow locations: -Primary chain idler sprocket dot is at 12 o'clock -Primary chain crankshaft sprocket dot is at 6 o'clock -Secondary chain camshaft sprockets "V6" marks are at 12 o'clock -Counter-balancer shaft drive gear dot is aligned to the idler sprocket gear dot
27. Lubricate all three chains with engine oil.
28. After installing all the chains, it is recommended that the idler gear (1) 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.
29. Install the timing chain cover and the crankshaft damper Engine Timing Cover(s) - Installation Vibration Damper - Installation
30. Install the cylinder head covers Cylinder Head Cover(s) - Installation
31. Coat the large threaded access plug with Mopar(R) Thread Sealant with Teflon and then install into the right cylinder head (1) and tighten to 81 Nm (60 ft. lbs.).
32. Install the oil fill housing.
33. Install access plug in the left cylinder head (2).
34. Install the power steering pump Power Steering Pump - Installation
35. Fill the cooling system Service and Repair
36. Connect the negative battery cable.

  1.   Disconnect negative cable from battery.
  2.   Drain cooling system. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE .
  3.   Remove right and left cylinder head covers. See REMOVAL.
  4.   Remove radiator fan shroud. Refer to REMOVAL .
  5.   Rotate engine until timing mark on crankshaft damper (2) aligns with TDC mark on timing chain cover

6.   Remove power steering pump. Refer to REMOVAL .
7.   Remove access plug from left and right cylinder heads for access to chain guide fasteners. See Fig. 187.
8.   Remove the oil fill housing to gain access to the right side tensioner arm fastener.
9.   Remove crankshaft damper and timing chain cover. See REMOVAL for damper and REMOVAL for