Stratus L4-2.4L VIN X (1998)
Connecting Rod Bearing: Service and Repair
Fitting Connecting Rod Bearings
Engine connecting rod bearing clearances can be determined by use of Plastigage or equivalent. The following is the recommended procedure for the
use of Plastigage:
1. Rotate the crankshaft until the connecting rod to be checked is at the bottom of its stroke.
2. Remove oil film from surface to be checked. Plastigage is soluble in oil.
Measuring Plastigage Width
3. Place a piece of Plastigage across the entire width of the bearing shell in the bearing cap approximately 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) off center and away
from the oil hole. In addition, suspect areas can be checked by placing Plastigage in the suspect area.
4. Before assembling the rod cap with Plastigage in place, the crankshaft must be rotated until the connecting rod being checked starts moving toward
the top of the engine. Only then should the cap be assembled and torqued to specifications. Do not rotate the crankshaft while assembling the cap
or the Plastigage may be smeared, giving inaccurate results.
5. 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. Plastigage generally is accompanied by two scales. One scale is in inches, the other is a metric
scale.
6. Plastigage is available in a variety of clearance ranges. The 0.025 - 0.076 mm (0.001 - 0.003 inch) is usually the most appropriate for checking
engine bearing proper specifications.