Symptom Troubleshooting Chart - Engine Mechanical

SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART - ENGINE MECHANICAL

Symptom Troubleshooting Chart - Engine Mechanical
Problem	Possible Cause	Action
Difficult Starting	Damaged ignition system	See GENERAL PINPOINT TEST 13: IGNITION SCOPE PINPOINT TEST .
	Damaged fuel system	See GENERAL PINPOINT TEST 5: FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM .
	Damaged starting system	See SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART - STARTING SYSTEM .
	Damaged charger system/battery	See CHARGING SYSTEM COMPONENT TESTS .
	Burnt valve	Replace valve. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See the CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL INSTALLATION 3.0L--> for the 3.0L engine. See the CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION 4.0L --> for the 4.0L engine.
	Worn piston	Replace piston and piston head. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See PISTON & CONNECTING ROD DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY for the 3.0L engine. See PISTON AND CONNECTING ROD DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY for the 4.0L engine.
	Worn piston rings	Replace piston ring. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See PISTON & CONNECTING ROD DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY for the 3.0L engine. See PISTON AND CONNECTING ROD DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY for the 4.0L engine.
	Worn cylinder	Repair or replace cylinder block. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Damaged head gasket	Replace head gasket. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL INSTALLATION - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
Poor Idling	Vacuum leaks	See ENGINE COMPONENT TEST .
	Malfunctioning or damaged ignition system	See GENERAL PINPOINT TEST 13: IGNITION SCOPE PINPOINT TEST .
	Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system	See GENERAL PINPOINT TEST 5: FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM .
	Damaged valve tappet (2.3L and 4.0L engine)	Replace valve tappet or lash adjuster. See VALVE TAPPET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for 4.0L, see VALVE TAPPET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for 2.3L
	Damaged valve tappet guide or lash adjuster (3.0L engine)	Replace valve tappet guide or valve tappet. See HYDRAULIC LASH ADJUSTERS REMOVAL INSTALLATION - 3.0L .
Improper Valve-to-Valve Seat Contact	Repair or replace valve or valve seat	See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Damaged head gasket	Replace head gasket. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL INSTALLATION - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
Abnormal Combustion	Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system	See GENERAL PINPOINT TEST 5: FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM .
	Malfunctioning or damaged ignition system	See GENERAL PINPOINT TEST 13: IGNITION SCOPE PINPOINT TEST .
	Damaged valve tappet (2.3L and 4.0L engine)	Replace valve tappet or lash adjuster. See VALVE TAPPET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for 4.0L, see VALVE TAPPET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for 2.3L.
	Damaged valve tappet guide or valve tappet (3.0L engine)	Replace valve tappet or lash adjuster. See HYDRAULIC LASH ADJUSTERS REMOVAL INSTALLATION - 3.0L .
	Burnt or sticking valve	Repair or replace valve. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Weak or broken valve spring	Replace valve spring. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Carbon accumulation in combustion chamber	Eliminate carbon buildup.
Excessive Oil Consumption	Leaking oil	Repair oil leakage.
	Malfunctioning PCV system	Repair or replace the necessary components.
	Worn valve stem seal	Replace valve stem seal. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Worn valve stem or valve guide	Replace valve stem and valve guide. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Sticking piston rings	Repair or replace piston rings. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Worn piston ring groove	Replace piston and piston pin. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Worn piston or cylinder	Repair or replace piston or cylinder block. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
Engine Noise	Leaking exhaust system	Repair exhaust leakage.
	Improper drive belt tension.	See DRIVE BELT INSPECTION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See DRIVE BELT INSPECTION - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See DRIVE BELT INSPECTION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Malfunction generator bearing	See CHARGING SYSTEM INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION .
	Malfunctioning water pump bearing	See WATER PUMP REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See WATER PUMP REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See WATER PUMP REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Malfunctioning or damaged cooling system	See COOLING SYSTEM INSPECTION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See COOLING SYSTEM INSPECTION - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See COOLING SYSTEM INSPECTION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system	See GENERAL PINPOINT TEST 5: FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM .
	Loose timing chain/belt	Adjust or replace timing chain/belt. See TIMING CHAIN REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See TIMING CHAIN REMOVAL INSTALLATION - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See TIMING CHAIN REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Damaged timing chain tensioner	Replace timing chain tensioner. See TIMING CHAIN REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See TIMING CHAIN REMOVAL INSTALLATION - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See TIMING CHAIN REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
Excessive Main Bearing Clearance	Adjust clearance or replace crankshaft main bearing.	See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Seized or heat damaged crankshaft main bearing	Replace crankshaft main bearing. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3 L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Excessive crankshaft end play	Replace thrust bearing or crankshaft. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
Excessive Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance	Replace connecting rod bearing or connecting rod.	See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Heat damaged connecting rod bearing	Replace connecting rod bearing. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Damaged connecting rod bushing	Replace connecting rod bushing. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
Worn Cylinder	Repair or replace cylinder block.	See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Worn piston or piston pin	Replace piston or piston pin. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Damaged piston rings	Replace piston rings. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Bent connecting rod	Replace connecting rod. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Malfunctioning valve tappet or lash adjuster	Replace valve tappet or lash adjuster. See VALVE TAPPET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See HYDRAULIC LASH ADJUSTERS REMOVAL INSTALLATION - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See VALVE TAPPET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Excessive valve tappet or lash adjuster clearance	Adjust clearance or replace valve tappet guide or valve tappet. See VALVE TAPPET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See HYDRAULIC LASH ADJUSTERS REMOVAL INSTALLATION - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See VALVE TAPPET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
Broken Valve Spring	Replace valve spring	See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Excessive valve guide clearance	Repair clearance or replace valve guide and stem. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
Insufficient Power	Malfunctioning or damaged ignition system	See GENERAL PINPOINT TEST 13: IGNITION SCOPE PINPOINT TEST .
	Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system	See GENERAL PINPOINT TEST 5: FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM .
	Damaged or plugged exhaust system	Inspect exhaust system.
	Incorrect tire size	See owners manual.
	Dragging brakes	See BRAKE SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS (CONVENTIONAL) .
	Slipping transmission	See SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION .
	Malfunctioning valve tappet (2.3L and 4.0L engine)	Replace valve tappet or lash adjuster. See VALVE TAPPET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See VALVE TAPPET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Damaged valve tappet guide or valve tappet (3.0L engine)	Replace valve tappet guide or valve tappet. See HYDRAULIC LASH ADJUSTERS REMOVAL INSTALLATION - 3.0L .
	Compression leakage at valve seat	Repair or replace valve, valve seat or cylinder head. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
Seized Valve Stem	Replace valve stem.	See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Weak or broken valve spring	Replace valve spring. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Worn or damaged cam	Replace camshaft. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Damaged head gasket	Replace head gasket. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL INSTALLATION - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Cracked or distorted cylinder head	Replace cylinder head. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL INSTALLATION - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
Damaged, Worn or Sticking Piston Ring(s)	Repair or replace piston ring(s)	See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.
	Worn or damaged piston	Replace piston and piston pin. See ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY - 2.3L for the 2.3L engine. See OVERHAUL - 3.0L for the 3.0L engine. See OVERHAUL - 4.0L for the 4.0L engine.