OEM 2001 Dodge Caravan Camshaft

2001 Dodge Caravan Camshaft Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Remove and Reinstall a Camshaft on 2001 Dodge Caravan?

  A: The first step is to get rid of the cylinder head cover, then to remove the camshaft position sensor and magnet for the camshaft target. Then, remove the timing belt and next take off the camshaft sprockets and the rear cover for the timing belt. First, it is important to know the places of bearing caps, by taking out the outermost bearing caps as a start. Carefully remove the camshaft cap tightening screws in the order given for each camshaft, so you do not mix up camshafts, attending to the fact that the Intake cam (journal #6 ) has a larger spacing between the cam lobe and the thrust bearing. Figure out which camshafts you have and then uninstall them. Place a marker on each rocker arm that reminds you where it needs to be when being replaced. During the camshaft installation, do not have any pistons be at top dead center. Lubricate all camshaft bearing journals, the rocker arms and their lobes and afterward, make sure to put them in their original places if they were reused. Now, place each camshaft on the cylinder head bearing journals and mount caps No. 2 - 5 and No. 6 to their left and right. Secure the M6 fasteners to each bearing cap with a torque of 12 Nm (105 in. lbs.) in the proper order. Use Mopar Gasket Maker on bearing caps 1 and 6, fit them in and set the M8 fasteners to 28 Nm (250 in. lbs.). It is necessary to fit the end caps onto the bearing races before the seals can go on. After this, slide on the oil seals for the camshafts, then the target magnet and position sensor. After that, mount the cylinder head cover, rear timing belt cover and camshaft sprocket and follow up by installing the timing belt.