Engine Block: Inspection
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Dodge Dakota. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Examine block for cracks or fractures.
The cylinder walls should be checked for out-of-round and taper. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE-CYLINDER BORE HONING .
Inspect the oil line plug, the oil line plug is located in the vertical passage at the rear of the block between the oil-to-filter and oil-from-filter passages (Fig 1). Improper installation or missing plug could cause erratic, low, or no oil pressure.
The oil plug must come out the bottom. Use flat dowel, down the oil pressure sending unit hole from the top, to remove oil plug.
- Remove oil pressure sending unit from back of block.
- Insert a 3.175 mm (1/8 in.) finish wire, or equivalent, into passage.
- Plug should be 190.0 to 195.2 mm (7-1/2 to 7-11/16 in.) from machined surface of block (Fig 1). If plug is too high, use a suitable flat dowel to position properly.
- If plug is too low, remove oil pan and No. 4 main bearing cap. Use suitable flat dowel to position properly. Coat outside diameter of plug with Mopar® Stud and Bearing Mount Adhesive. Plug should be 54.0 to 57.7 mm (2-1/8 to 2-5/16 in.) from bottom of the block.