OEM 2003 Dodge Neon Piston

2003 Dodge Neon Piston Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Remove and Replace a Piston in an Engine on 2003 Dodge Neon?

  A: First, the step is to remove the cylinder head and the oil pan. Create a smooth ridge at the top of each cylinder bore by using a good ridge reamer and then cover the tops of the pistons to protect them as you remove them. Label each piston with the right cylinder number and use permanent marker or a scribe tool to write the number on the side of the connecting rod and cap. A stamp will indicate pistons as either having a D or an H, the lighter or heavier type and as service pistons when an S appears. Mount the weight plates so the stamp is visible from the side with the timing belt. After removing the top cover, turn the crankshaft to place each connecting rod at the middle of its cylinder bore so you can remove it easily. Take out the connecting rod cap bolts and don't put back any bolts that were removed. To preserve the crankshaft journal and heavily damaged rod surfaces, you should slide in Special Tool 8189 and then carefully push every piston and rod through the cylinder, carefully avoiding any further damage. Take the guides off and reinstall the bearing cap on the mating rod. When these are on, take off the piston rings. First, put the piston rings on the piston so that you don't line the compression ring with the oil rail gap. The oil ring expander ends should be together and the rail gaps must be in the correct place before you can use the ring compressor. Thoroughly dip the piston head and each ring in engine oil before sliding the ring compressor over the piston, so the ring locations are still the same. Place the L or H stamp from the weight designation in front of your engine. Move the crankshaft so that the connecting rod journal is equidistant from the two sides of the cylinder bore, then coat it with clean engine oil. Set the higher bearing part in place and fasten Special Tool 8189 to the connecting rod. Position the cylinder bore so the rod and piston are horizontal, lower the piston using the hammer handle and hold the rod in place on the crankshaft until it is flush with the journal. Remove the guides for the connecting rods, put in the lower bearing half and cap and add new bolts until the tightness is 27 Nm plus 1/4 turn. In last, connect the cylinder head and the oil pan back to the engine block.