Crankshaft Oil Clearance (PLASTIGAGE Method)

Oil clearance can be easily measured by using a "plastigage."

When using a "plastigage," perform measurement in the following procedure.

1. Fully wipe oil off the outside diameter of the crankshaft and inside diameter of the bearing.
2. Assemble the crankshaft.
3. Place a plastigage in length equal to the bearing width on the journal shaft straight in alignment with the shaft center.
4. Carefully install the bearing cap and tighten the bolt according to the main point of installation >> B <<.
5. Remove the bolt, and then carefully remove the crankshaft bearing cap.
   Fig 1: Checking Crankshaft Oil Clearance

   Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.
6. Measure the crushed plastigage width (area most widely crushed) using a scale printed on the plastigage bag.

   Standard value: 

   No. 1, 2, 4, 5: 0.039 - 0.065 mm (0.0015 - 0.0026 inch) 

   No. 3: 0.051 - 0.077 mm (0.0020 - 0.0030 inch) 

   Limit: 0.10 mm (0.004 inch) 

   Fig 2: Measuring Crushed Plastigage Width Using Scale

   Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.