Grand Caravan V6-3.3L VIN E Flex Fuel (2007)
9. Carefully install the main bearing cap and tighten the bolts to specified torque.
CAUTION: Do not rotate crankshaft or the Plastigage will be smeared.
10. Carefully remove the bearing cap and measure the width of the Plastigage at the widest part using the scale on the Plastigage package (Figure 4). If
the clearance exceeds the specified limits, replace the main bearing(s) with the appropriate size, and if necessary, have the crankshaft machined to
next undersize.
Measuring Bearing Clearance Using Plastigage
MEASURING BEARING CLEARANCE USING PLASTIGAGE
Engine crankshaft bearing clearances can be determined by use of Plastigage or equivalent. The following is the recommended procedure for the use of
Plastigage:
1. Remove oil film from surface to be checked. Plastigage is soluble in oil.
2. Place a piece of Plastigage across the entire width of the bearing shell in the cap approximately 6.35 mm (1/4 in.) off center and away from the oil
holes (Figure 1). (In addition, suspected areas can be checked by placing the Plastigage in the suspected area). Torque the bearing cap/bed plate
bolts of the bearing being checked to the proper specifications.
Figure 1 CORE HOLE PLUG REMOVAL
1 - PLASTIGAGE
3. Remove the bearing cap and compare the width of the flattened Plastigage with the metric scale provided on the package. Locate the band closest
to the same width. This band shows the amount of clearance in thousandths of a millimeter. Differences in readings between the ends indicate the
amount of taper present. Record all readings taken. Compare the clearance measurements to specifications found in the engine specifications table.
Plastigage generally is accompanied by two scales. One scale is in inches, the other is a metric scale.
NOTE: Plastigage is available in a variety of clearance ranges. Use the most appropriate range for the specifications you are checking.
4. Install the proper crankshaft bearings to achieve the specified bearing clearances.
