OEM 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Camshaft

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Camshaft Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair a Camshaft on 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

  A: You should take out the cylinder head cover, sensors, magnets and the timing belt to service and repair the camshaft. After that, separate the camshaft sprockets and rear cover for the timing belt and keep a record of the bearing caps, beginning with the outermost ones. Remove the screws that hold the camshaft bearing cap in order, bearing in mind that the intake cam number 6's thrust bearing face spacing is wider than the other camshafts. Before uninstalling the camshafts, make sure you recognize them and notice how the rocker arms are attached, if you wish to reinstall them later. Use a proper solvent to clean the camshaft and closely check the bearing journals as well as the cylinder head for signs of damage or blockage. If you notice any issues or signs of wear on the cam lobe or bearings, change the camshaft and, if the new shaft has worn lobe, take the time to replace the rocker arms as well. Measure how much the lobe has worn out, allowing 0.0254 mm (0.001 inch) as the standard; change the camshaft if it's worn beyond 0.254 mm (0.010 inch). When you install, avoid letting the pistons reach top dead center, lubricate the camshaft bearing journals, all rocker arms and the camshaft lobes and if you are using old rocker arms, make sure they are put back in their original places. Hold the camshafts on the cylinder head bearing journals and place the right and left No. 2 - 5 bearing caps on, followed by the right No. 6. Attach them with M6 fasteners, tightening each to 12 Nm (105 inch lbs.) in the proper sequence. Working in order, apply Mopar Gasket Maker to bearings caps 1 and 6, put them on and tighten the M8 screws until they reach 28 Nm (250 inch lbs.). After that, add the camshaft oil seals, camshaft target magnet, camshaft position sensor, the cylinder head cover, the rear cover of the timing belt and timing belt.