Timing Chain

Complete timing chain, guide, and tensioner replacement on the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, requiring engine support and removal of front timing cover and valve train components.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Timing chain kit (includes chains, guides, tensioners) × 1 — Use OEM Mopar timing chain kit for 3.6L Pentastar
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Camshaft position sensor O-rings × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil and filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine coolant (OAT purple/violet) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Right side engine mount × 1 — Replace if damaged during removal
• Harmonic balancer bolt (if TTY) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil — 6 qt
• OAT coolant (purple/violet) — 13.2 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and isolate from battery post
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on cover (press-fit fasteners)
4. Drain engine coolant into appropriate container by opening radiator petcock and removing radiator cap
5. Drain engine oil and remove oil filter
6. Remove front grille and upper radiator support panel
7. Remove both headlight assemblies to access front cover bolts
8. Remove serpentine drive belt using tensioner release tool
9. Raise and support vehicle on jack stands at manufacturer lift points
10. Remove right front wheel and inner fender splash shield

Procedure

1. 1

   Install engine support and remove engine mount
   Install engine support fixture across engine compartment or position lift table under engine oil pan with wood block protection. Support engine weight. Remove the 4 bolts securing right side engine mount to engine bracket. Remove the 3 through-bolts securing engine mount to frame rail. Remove engine mount from vehicle.
2. 2

   Remove accessory drive components
   Remove power steering pump mounting bolts (3 bolts) and secure pump aside without disconnecting hydraulic lines. Remove alternator mounting bolts (2 bolts) and position alternator aside with wiring connected. Remove A/C compressor mounting bolts (4 bolts) and secure compressor aside without disconnecting refrigerant lines. Support components with wire or bungee cords to prevent strain on hoses.
3. 3

   Remove harmonic balancer
   Remove the center crankshaft bolt using a breaker bar while holding crankshaft from rotating (have assistant apply starter or use holding tool through starter mounting hole). Install harmonic balancer puller and remove balancer from crankshaft snout. Do not pry or hammer on balancer as this will damage crankshaft seal or balancer hub.
4. 4

   Remove timing cover
   Remove upper and lower radiator hoses from thermostat housing and water pump. Remove the 22 timing cover bolts in reverse sequence pattern (outer bolts first, inner bolts last). Carefully pry timing cover away from engine block using plastic pry tools at designated pry points. Remove timing cover and gasket. Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly with plastic scraper and brake cleaner.
5. 5

   Rotate engine to TDC cylinder 1
   Rotate crankshaft clockwise using socket on crankshaft snout bolt until cylinder 1 is at TDC compression stroke. Verify timing marks on crankshaft sprocket and camshaft sprockets are aligned with marks on engine block and cylinder heads. Install crankshaft TDC locking pin through block into crankshaft to lock position. Install camshaft locking tools onto rear of both left and right camshaft banks to prevent rotation.
6. 6

   Remove timing chain tensioners
   Remove the left primary chain tensioner by removing mounting bolts. Remove the right primary chain tensioner by removing mounting bolts. Remove the left secondary chain tensioner by removing mounting bolt. Remove the right secondary chain tensioner by removing mounting bolt. Note tensioner orientation and mounting locations for reassembly.
7. 7

   Remove camshaft sprockets and secondary chains
   Remove left intake camshaft sprocket bolt and sprocket. Remove left exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt and sprocket. Remove left secondary timing chain. Remove right intake camshaft sprocket bolt and sprocket. Remove right exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt and sprocket. Remove right secondary timing chain. Keep sprockets and chains organized by bank (left/right).
8. 8

   Remove primary chains and guides
   Remove left primary chain guide bolts (2 bolts) and remove guide. Remove right primary chain guide bolts (2 bolts) and remove guide. Remove left primary timing chain from crankshaft and left camshaft intermediate sprocket. Remove right primary timing chain from crankshaft and right camshaft intermediate sprocket. Remove lower chain guide bolts and guide if equipped.
9. 9

   Inspect timing components and crankshaft sprocket
   Inspect crankshaft sprocket for wear or damage. If replacement needed, carefully remove sprocket using appropriate puller. Inspect camshaft intermediate sprockets for wear. Inspect cylinder head timing chain guide rails for wear grooves or damage. Replace any worn components. Clean all timing chain debris from oil pan area and front cover area using shop towels and brake cleaner.
10. 10

    Install new crankshaft sprocket and guides
    If removed, install new crankshaft sprocket onto crankshaft snout, aligning key with keyway. Tap sprocket into position using sprocket installer or large socket and hammer. Install lower primary chain guide and tighten bolts to specification. Install left primary chain guide and tighten bolts to specification. Install right primary chain guide and tighten bolts to specification. Verify crankshaft locking pin is still engaged.
    Torque spec

    Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install primary timing chains
    Install left primary timing chain over crankshaft sprocket and left camshaft intermediate sprocket with colored link aligned with timing mark on crankshaft sprocket and colored link aligned with mark on intermediate sprocket. Install right primary timing chain over crankshaft sprocket and right camshaft intermediate sprocket with colored link aligned with timing mark on crankshaft sprocket and colored link aligned with mark on intermediate sprocket. Verify all timing marks are properly aligned.
12. 12

    Install secondary timing chains and camshaft sprockets
    Install left secondary chain over left intermediate sprocket with colored links aligned with sprocket timing marks. Install left intake and exhaust camshaft sprockets onto chain with colored links aligned with sprocket timing marks. Position sprockets onto camshafts with flats aligned. Install and hand-tighten camshaft sprocket bolts. Repeat process for right bank secondary chain and camshaft sprockets. Verify camshaft locking tools still properly engaged.
13. 13

    Install timing chain tensioners
    Collapse new tensioners by hand and lock with retaining pin or clip. Install left primary chain tensioner and tighten to specification. Install right primary chain tensioner and tighten to specification. Install left secondary chain tensioner and tighten to specification. Install right secondary chain tensioner and tighten to specification. Do not release tensioner pins yet.
    Torque spec

    Timing Chain Tensioner25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Torque camshaft sprocket bolts
    Torque all four camshaft sprocket bolts (left intake, left exhaust, right intake, right exhaust) to specification using torque wrench. Hold camshafts from rotating using locking tools while torquing bolts. Do not allow camshafts to rotate during this process.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Sprocket Bolts80 Nm (59 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Release tensioners and verify timing
    Remove locking pins from all four timing chain tensioners to apply tension to chains. Remove camshaft locking tools from rear of cylinder heads. Remove crankshaft locking pin. Manually rotate crankshaft two complete revolutions clockwise using socket on crankshaft snout. Reinstall crankshaft locking pin and camshaft locking tools to verify timing marks realign at TDC cylinder 1. If marks do not align correctly, disassemble and verify chain installation. If correct, remove locking tools.
16. 16

    Install new timing cover gasket and cover
    Install new timing cover gasket onto engine block, ensuring all alignment dowels are properly seated. Install new camshaft position sensor O-rings (4 total) into timing cover. Apply small bead of RTV sealant at cylinder head-to-engine block parting lines where they meet timing cover. Install timing cover and hand-start all 22 bolts. Tighten timing cover bolts in proper sequence pattern (inside out) to specification.
    Torque spec

    Timing Cover Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
17. 17

    Install harmonic balancer
    Clean crankshaft snout with brake cleaner and light oil. Install harmonic balancer onto crankshaft using balancer installer tool. Do not hammer balancer onto crankshaft. Install new crankshaft bolt (if TTY type) or clean threads and install original bolt. Torque crankshaft bolt to 180 Nm, then rotate additional 90 degrees using angle gauge. Verify balancer is fully seated and does not wobble.
    Torque spec

    Crankshaft Sprocket Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft) + 90°
18. 18

    Reinstall accessory drive components
    Reinstall A/C compressor and torque mounting bolts. Reinstall alternator and torque mounting bolts. Reinstall power steering pump and torque mounting bolts. Reinstall serpentine drive belt using tensioner release tool. Verify belt is properly seated on all pulleys.
19. 19

    Reinstall engine mount and lower engine
    Position right side engine mount onto frame rail and install the 3 through-bolts. Torque to specification. Install the 4 bolts securing engine mount to engine bracket. Torque to specification. Carefully lower engine onto mount using support fixture or lift table. Remove engine support equipment.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall right front inner fender splash shield and wheel, torque lug nuts to specification
2. Lower vehicle from jack stands
3. Reinstall both headlight assemblies and secure wiring connectors
4. Reinstall upper radiator support panel and front grille
5. Install new engine oil filter and refill with 6.0 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic oil
6. Refill cooling system with 13.2 quarts of OAT purple/violet coolant, burp air from system
7. Reinstall upper and lower radiator hoses with new clamps if needed
8. Reinstall engine cover onto press-fit fasteners
9. Reconnect negative battery cable

Verification

• Start engine and listen for abnormal timing chain noise or rattling. Engine should start normally and idle smoothly.
• Check for oil leaks around timing cover perimeter and camshaft position sensors. Check for coolant leaks around timing cover and water pump connections.
• Monitor oil pressure gauge to verify normal pressure (should reach normal range within 5-10 seconds of startup).
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify cooling fans cycle normally. Check coolant level after engine cools and top off if needed.
• Rev engine to 2500-3000 RPM and verify no timing chain noise or rattling. Chain noise indicates improper installation or tensioner failure.
• Test drive vehicle and verify normal acceleration and no check engine lights. Scan for diagnostic trouble codes related to camshaft/crankshaft correlation.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →