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3.0L Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Engine front cover
   • Ignition pulse wheel and install a damper bolt
   • Spark plugs
3. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise to position the keyway at the 11 o'clock position and the camshafts in the correct positions. The No. 1 cylinder will be at Top Dead Center (TDC).
4. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise 120 degrees to the 3 o'clock position to locate the right side camshafts in the neutral position.
5. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Right side timing chain and tensioner
   • Tensioner arm and timing chain guide
6. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise 2 times to position the keyway at the 11 o'clock position. This will position the left side camshafts in the neutral position.
7. Verify that the left side crankshafts are in the neutral position and mark the link position on the crankshaft sprocket.
8. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Left side timing chain and tensioner
   • Tensioner arm and timing chain guide
   • Damper bolt and crankshaft sprockets

To install:

1. Install the crankshaft sprockets.
2. Position the timing chain tensioner in a soft jaw vise. Hold the ratchet lock mechanism away from the ratchet stem and slowly compress the timing chain tensioner
3. If the timing marks on the chain are not visible, use a permanent marker to mark the left and right side timing chains. Mark the timing chains in the following sequence:
   1. Mark any link to use as the crankshaft timing mark.
   2. Count 29 links from the crankshaft timing mark and mark the link as the exhaust cam sprocket timing mark.
   3. Continue counting to 42 and mark the link as the intake sprocket timing mark
4. Install the guide. Torque the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
5. Install the left side timing chain and align the chain in the following sequence:
   1. Mark any link to use as the crankshaft timing mark.
   2. Count 29 links from the crankshaft timing mark and mark the link as the exhaust cam sprocket timing mark.
   3. Continue counting to 42 and mark the link as the intake sprocket timing mark
6. Install or connect the following:
   • Left side timing chain and tensioner arm. Torque the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
   • Crankshaft damper bolt and rotate the keyway to the 3 o'clock position
7. Verify that the right side camshafts are properly positioned and install the right side timing chain and guide. Torque the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
8. Make certain that the timing chain aligns with the marks on the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets

   Mark the timing chain in the proper sequence-3.0L engine

   Click to Enlarge

1. Install or connect the following:
   • Right side timing chain tensioner and arm. Torque the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm) and remove the damper bolt
   • Ignition pulse wheel
   • Spark plugs
   • Engine front cover
   • Negative battery cable

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.

2. Raise and support the vehicle safely.

3. Properly relieve the fuel system pressure.

4. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

   NOTE

   To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the negative battery cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies, if equipped.

5. Remove the crankshaft front oil seal.

6. Remove the front cover.

   Ignition pulse wheel-3.0L engine

   NOTE

   Install the pulse wheel with the keyway in the slot stamped 20-25-34Y-30M (Color Blue) on 2001-2004 engines. On 2005-2006 engines, install the pulse wheel with the keyway in the slot stamped "30" or "30RFF" (orange in color).

7. Remove the ignition pulse wheel. Install the damper bolt. Remove the spark plugs.

   Rotate the crankshaft clockwise to position the keyway at the 11 o'clock position-3.0L engine

8. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise to position the keyway at the 11 o'clock position and the camshafts in the correct positions. The No. 1 cylinder will be at Top Dead Center (TDC).

   NOTE

   Verify that the camshafts are correctly located, if not rotate the crankshaft one additional turn and recheck.

   Rotate the crankshaft clockwise 120 degrees to the 3 o'clock position to locate the right side camshafts in the neutral position-3.0L engine

9. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise 120 degrees to the 3 o'clock position to locate the right side camshafts in the neutral position. Verify that the right camshafts are in the neutral position.

   Right side camshaft alignment in the neutral position-3.0L engine

10. Remove or disconnect the following:

    • Right side timing chain and tensioner

    • Tensioner arm and timing chain guide

      Rotate the crankshaft clockwise 12/3 times to position the keyway at the 11 o'clock position-3.0L engine

11. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise 1²/₃ times to position the keyway at the 11 o'clock position. This will position the left side camshafts in the neutral position.

    Left side camshaft alignment in the neutral position-3.0L engine

12. Verify that the left side camshafts are in the neutral position and mark the link position on the crankshaft sprocket.

13. Remove or disconnect the following:

    • Left side timing chain and tensioner

    • Tensioner arm and timing chain guide

    • Damper bolt and crankshaft sprockets

To install:

1. Install the crankshaft sprockets.

   Hold the ratchet lock mechanism away from the ratchet stem-3.0L engine

2. Position the timing chain tensioner in a soft jaw vise. Hold the ratchet lock mechanism away from the ratchet stem and slowly compress the timing chain tensioner. Retain the piston with a 1.5mm wire or paper clip.

3. If the timing marks on the chain are not visible, use a permanent marker to mark the left and right side timing chains. Mark the timing chains in the following sequence:

   • Mark any link to use as the crankshaft timing mark.

   • Count 29 links (including the starting link) in the counterclockwise direction from the crankshaft timing mark and mark the link as the left hand chain exhaust/right hand chain intake cam sprocket timing mark.

   • Continue counting to 42 and mark the link as the left hand chain exhaust/right hand chain intake sprocket timing mark.

     Left camshafts are correctly positioned-3.0L engine

     Mark the timing chain in the proper sequence (1) mark any link (2) count 29 links (3) count 42 links-3.0L engine

4. Install the guide. Torque the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).

   Left side timing chain installed-3.0L engine

5. Install the left side timing chain and align the chain in the following sequence:

   • Mark any link to use as the crankshaft timing mark.

   • Count 29 links from the crankshaft timing mark and mark the link as the exhaust cam sprocket timing mark.

   • Continue counting to 42 and mark the link as the intake sprocket timing mark

6. Install or connect the following:

   • Left side timing chain and tensioner arm. Torque the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).

   • Crankshaft damper bolt and rotate the keyway to the 3 o'clock position.

     Right camshafts are correctly positioned-3.0L engine

7. Verify that the right side camshafts are properly positioned and install the right side timing chain and guide. Torque the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).

8. Make certain that the timing chain aligns with the marks on the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets

9. Install or connect the following:

   • Right side timing chain tensioner and arm. Torque the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm) and remove the damper bolt

   • LH and RH chain tensioner position retaining wires

10. Remove the crankshaft damper bolt.

    Timing chains alignment (1)12 chain links (2) 27 chain links (3) 30 chain links-3.0L engine

11. Verify valve timing, there should be 12 chain links between the front camshaft timing marks. There should be 27 chain links between the camshaft and crankshaft timing marks. There should be 30 chain links between the camshaft and crankshaft timing marks.

    NOTE

    Failure to verify correct timing drive component alignment will result in severe engine damage.

12. Install the ignition pulse wheel.

    NOTE

    Install the pulse wheel with the keyway in the slot stamped 20-25-34Y-30M (Color Blue) on 2001-2004 engines. On 2005-2006 engines, install the pulse wheel with the keyway in the slot stamped "30" or "30RFF" (orange in color).

    • Spark plugs

    • Engine front cover

    • Negative battery cable