OEM 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 Timing Cover

2002 Dodge Ram 3500 Timing Cover Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair a Timing Cover on 2002 Dodge Ram 3500?

  A: First, take out the negative battery terminals and raise the vehicle onto a hoist to work on and repair the timing cover. Tap the engine to release coolant into a container so you can reuse it and lower your car afterward. Detach the upper hose from the radiator and separate the coolant recovery bottle hose from the filler neck on the radiator. Once that's done, remove the bottle from below the fan shroud. Take off the pump hose and the electrical pieces before removing the washer bottle from the fan shroud. Remove the front fan/drive apparatus, drive belt and fan bracket as a group from your engine. Rearrange the vehicle and you can now take off the crankshaft damper and then lower the car. Loosen the bolts that hold the gear cover to the housing and, using careful pressure, lift the cover away from the housing so that you don't damage the gaskets underneath. To install the seal, use a seal pilot/installation tool from the service kit and set it into the seal. Surround all through holes on the gear housing cover with Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or a similar product. When the cover aligns well, close it with the pilot, fasten it securely in the housing using bolts twisted to a torque of 24 Nm (18 ft. lbs.) and continue. Get rid of the seal pilot, lift the car and fit the crankshaft damper. Put the vehicle down, attach the fan support/hub assembly and tighten the bolts to 24 Nm (18 ft. lbs.) torque. First, put on the accessory drive belt and then join the cooling fan with its shroud. Slot the windshield washer reservoir into the fan shroud, secure the washer pump hose and connect the electrical cable after that. Reassemble the radiator upper hose and clamps, put in coolant, connect the battery and start the car to look for leaks.