Component Tests
The following component tests are used to diagnose engine concerns.
Engine Oil Leaks
Note. If an overnight drive is done, the fan air or road air blast may cause erroneous readings.
Note. When diagnosing engine oil leaks, the source and location of the leak must be positively identified prior to repair.
Prior to carrying out this procedure, clean the cylinder block, cylinder heads, valve covers, oil pan and flywheel with a suitable solvent to remove all traces of oil.
Engine Oil Leaks - Fluorescent Oil Additive Method
Use the 12 Volt Master UV Diagnostic Inspection Kit to carry out the following procedure for oil leak diagnosis.
- Add 29.6 ml (1 oz) of gasoline engine oil dye to a minimum of 0.47L (1/2 qt) and a maximum of 0.95L (1 qt) engine oil and fill through the engine oil fill. If the oil is not premixed, the gasoline engine oil dye will not have enough time to reach the crankcase, oil galleries and seal surfaces during this particular 15 minute test. The gasoline engine oil dye must be mixed with oil and added through the oil fill. Check the level on the oil level indicator to determine what amount of oil to premix. If it is in the middle of the crosshatch area or below the full mark, use 0.95L (1 qt). If it is at the full mark, use 0.47L (1/2 qt).
- Run the engine for 15 minutes. Stop the engine and inspect all seal and gasket areas for leaks using the UV Diagnostic Inspection Kit. A clear bright yellow or orange area will identify the leak. For extremely small leaks, several hours may be required for the leak to appear.
- At the end of test, make sure the oil level is within the upper and lower oil indicator marks. Remove oil as necessary if it registers above the full mark.
Leakage Points - Underhood
Examine the following areas for oil leakage
- Valve cover gaskets
- Cylinder head gaskets
- Oil cooler, if equipped
- Oil filter adapter
- Engine front cover
- Oil filter adapter and filter body
- Oil level indicator tube connection
- Engine Oil Pressure (EOP) sensor
- Oil passage end plugs
Leakage Points - Under Engine, With Vehicle on Hoist
Examine the following areas for oil leakage
- Oil pan gaskets
- Oil pan sealer
- Engine front cover gasket
- Crankshaft front seal
- Crankshaft rear oil seal
- Oil filter adapter and filter body
- Oil cooler, if equipped
- Oil passage end plugs
Leakage Points - With Transmission and Flywheel Removed
Examine the following areas for oil leakage
- Crankshaft rear seal
- Crankshaft rear seal retainer
- Rear main bearing cap parting line - 5.4L (4V) engines
- Flexplate mounting bolt holes (with flexplate installed)
- Oil passage end plugs
Oil leaks at crimped seams in sheet metal parts and cracks in cast or stamped parts can be detected when using the Gasoline Engine Oil Dye method.
Cylinder Leakage Detection
When a cylinder produces a low reading, use of a cylinder leakage tester will be helpful in pinpointing the exact cause.
The leakage tester is inserted in the spark plug hole, the piston is brought up to dead center on the compression stroke and compressed air is admitted.
Once the combustion chamber is pressurized, the leakage tester gauge will read the percentage of leakage. Leakage exceeding 20% is excessive.
While the air pressure is retained in the cylinder, listen for the hiss of escaping air. A leak at the intake valve will be heard in the Throttle Body (TB). A leak at the exhaust valve can be heard at the tail pipe. Leakage past the piston rings will be audible at the PCV connection. If air is passing through a blown head gasket to an adjacent cylinder, the noise will be evident at the spark plug hole of the cylinder into which the air is leaking. Cracks in the cylinder block or gasket leakage into the cooling system may be detected by a stream of bubbles in the radiator.
Excessive Engine Oil Consumption
Nearly all engines consume oil, which is essential for normal lubrication of the cylinder bore walls and pistons and rings. Determining the level of oil consumption may require testing by recording how much oil is being added over a given set of miles.
Customer driving habits greatly influence oil consumption. Mileage accumulated during towing or heavy loading generates extra heat. Frequent short trips, stop-and-go type traffic or extensive idling, prevent the engine from reaching normal operating temperature. This prevents component clearances from reaching specified operating ranges.
The following diagnostic procedure may be utilized to determine internal oil consumption. Make sure that the concern is related to internal oil consumption, and not external leakage, which also consumes oil. Verify there are no leaks before carrying out the test. Once verified, the rate of internal oil consumption can be tested.
A new engine may require extra oil in the early stages of operation. Internal piston-to-bore clearances and sealing characteristics improve as the engine breaks in. Engines are designed for close tolerances and do not require break-in oils or additives. Use the oil specified in the Owner's Literature. Ambient temperatures may determine the oil viscosity specification. Verify that the correct oil is being used for the vehicle in the geographic region in which it is driven.
Basic Pre-checks
Pinpoint Test A
Detailed Pre-checks
- Check the thermostat opening temperature to make sure that the cooling system is operating at the specified temperature. If it is low, internal engine parts are not running at specified internal operating clearances.
- Verify the spark plugs are not oil saturated. Oil leaking into one or more cylinders will appear as an oil soaked condition on the plug. If a plug is saturated, a compression check may be necessary at the conclusion of the oil consumption test.
Post Checks, Evaluation and Corrective Action
- If test results indicate excessive oil consumption, carry out a cylinder compression test. The cylinder compression test should be carried out with a fully charged battery and all spark plugs removed. See the «COMPRESSION TEST CHART»(ref-439783-S24648314182011120900000) in this service information for pressure range limits.
- Compression should be consistent across all cylinders. Refer to the «COMPRESSION TESTING»(ref-439783-S11056141842011120900000) portion of this service information. If compression tested within the specifications found in this service information, the excessive oil consumption may be due to wear on the valve guides, valves or valve seals.
- A cylinder leak detection test can be carried out using a cylinder leakage tester. This can help identify valves, piston rings, or worn valve guides/valve stems, inoperative valve stem seals or other related areas as the source of oil consumption. NOTE: An oil-soaked appearance on the porcelain tips of the spark plugs also indicates excessive oil use. A typical engine with normal oil consumption will exhibit a light tan to brown appearance. See «SPARK PLUG ANALYSIS»(ref-439783-S40314497542011120900000) in this service information for details. A single or adjoining, multiple cylinder leak can be traced by viewing the tips.
- If an internal engine part is isolated as the root cause, determine if the repair will exceed cost limits and proceed with a repair strategy as required.
- Once corrective action to engine is complete and verifying that all pre-check items were eliminated in the original diagnosis, repeat the Oil Consumption Test as described above and verify consumption results.
Valve Train Analysis - 3.7L Engines
The following component tests are used to diagnose valve train concerns.
Valve Train Analysis - Engine Off, Valve Cover Removed
Check for damaged or severely worn parts and correct assembly. Make sure correct parts are used with the static engine analysis as follows.
Valve Train Analysis - Camshafts and Valve Tappets
- Check for broken or damaged parts.
- Check for loose mounting bolts on camshaft caps.
- Check for worn or damaged valve tappets.
Valve Train Analysis - Valve Springs, Valve Tappets Removed
- Check for broken or damaged parts.
Valve Train Analysis - Valve Spring Retainer and Valve Spring Retainer Keys, Valve Tappets Removed
- Check for correct seating of the valve spring retainer key on the valve stem and in valve spring retainer.
- Check for correct seating on the valve stem.
Valve Train Analysis - Valves and Cylinder Head, Valve Tappets Removed
- Check for plugged oil drain-back holes.
- Check for worn or damaged valve tips.
- Check for missing or damaged valve stem seals or guide-mounted valve stem seal.
- Check for missing or worn valve spring seats.
Valve Train Analysis - Camshaft Lobe Lift
Check the lift of each camshaft lobe in consecutive order and make a note of the readings.
Scheme 2360
- Remove the spark plugs. Refer to «IGNITION SYSTEM - 3.7L»(ref-439824) article.
- Install the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture so the rounded tip of the dial indicator is on top of the camshaft lobe and on the same plane as the valve tappet.
- Rotate the crankshaft using a breaker bar and socket attached to the crankshaft pulley retainer bolt. Rotate the crankshaft until the base circle of the camshaft lobe is reached.
- Zero the dial indicator. Continue to rotate the crankshaft until the high-lift point of the camshaft lobe is in the fully-raised position (highest indicator reading).
- To check the accuracy of the original dial indicator reading, continue to rotate crankshaft until the base circle is reached. The dial indicator reading should be zero. If zero reading is not obtained, repeat Steps 1 through 6.
- If the lift on any lobe is below specified service limits, install a new camshaft and camshaft valve tappets.
- Install the spark plugs. Refer to «IGNITION SYSTEM - 3.7L»(ref-439824) article.
Valve Train Analysis - 5.0L and 5.4L (4V) Engines
The following component tests are used to diagnose valve train concerns.
Check for damaged or severely worn parts and correct assembly. Make sure correct parts are used with the static engine analysis as follows.
Valve Train Analysis - Engine Off, Camshaft Roller Followers and Hydraulic Lash Adjusters, Overhead Camshaft
- Check for loose mounting bolts on camshaft carriers.
- Check for plugged oil feed in the camshaft roller followers, lash adjusters or cylinder heads.
Valve Train Analysis - Engine Off, Camshaft - Engines
- Check for broken or damaged parts.
Valve Train Analysis - Valve Springs
- Check for broken or damaged parts.
Valve Train Analysis - Engine Off, Valve Spring Retainer and Valve Spring Retainer Keys
- Check for correct seating of the valve spring retainer key on the valve stem and in valve spring retainer.
- Check for correct seating on the valve stem.
Valve Train Analysis - Engine Off, Valves and Cylinder Head
- Check for plugged oil drain back holes.
- Check for worn or damaged valve tips.
- Check for missing or damaged guide-mounted valve stem seal.
- Check for damaged hydraulic lash adjuster.
- Check installed valve spring height.
- Check for missing or worn valve spring seats.
- Check for plugged oil metering orifice in cylinder head oil reservoir (if equipped).
Static checks (engine off) are to be made on the engine prior to the dynamic procedure.
Valve Train Analysis - Engine Running, Valves and Cylinder Head
- Check for plugged oil drain back holes.
- Check for missing or damaged valve stem seals or guide mounted valve stem seals.
- Check for a plugged oil metering orifice in the cylinder head oil reservoir.
If insufficient oiling is suspected, check oil passages for blockage, then accelerate the engine to 1,200 rpm with the transmission in NEUTRAL and the engine at normal operating temperature. Oil should spurt from the rocker arm oil holes such that valve tips and camshaft roller followers are well oiled. With the valve covers off, some oil splash may overshoot camshaft roller followers.
Check the lift of each camshaft lobe in consecutive order and make a note of the readings.
Scheme 2361
- Remove the spark plugs. Refer to «IGNITION SYSTEM - 5.0L (4V)»(ref-439825) article for 5.0L engines or «IGNITION SYSTEM - 5.4L (4V)»(ref-439826) article for 5.4L (4V) engines.
- Install the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture so the rounded tip of indicator is on top of the camshaft lobe.
- Rotate the crankshaft using a breaker bar and socket attached to the crankshaft pulley retainer bolt. Rotate the crankshaft until the base circle of the camshaft lobe is reached.
- Zero the Dial Indicator Gauge. Continue to rotate the crankshaft until the (1) high-lift point of the camshaft lobe is in the fully-raised position (highest indicator reading).
- To check the accuracy of the original indicator reading, continue to rotate crankshaft until the (2) base circle is reached. The indicator reading should be zero. If zero reading is not obtained, repeat the measurement.
- If the lift on any lobe is below specified service limits, install a new camshaft and camshaft roller followers.
- Install the spark plugs. Refer to «IGNITION SYSTEM - 5.0L (4V)»(ref-439825) article for 5.0L engines or «IGNITION SYSTEM - 5.4L (4V)»(ref-439826) article for 5.4L (4V) engines.
Scheme 2362
- Inspect the sprockets for cracks and worn or chipped teeth.
Camshaft Bearing Journal Diameter
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2363
- Measure each camshaft journal diameter in 2 directions.
Camshaft Journal to Bearing Clearance - OHC Engines
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2364
- Measure each camshaft bearing in 2 directions. Subtract the camshaft journal diameter from the camshaft bearing diameter.
Crankshaft Main Bearing Journal Diameter
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2365
- Measure each of the crankshaft main bearing journal diameters in at least 2 directions.
Crankshaft Main Bearing Journal Taper and Out-of-Round
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2366
- Measure each of the crankshaft main bearing journal diameters in at least 2 directions at each end of the main bearing journal.
Crankshaft Main Bearing Journal-to-Bearing Clearance
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Note. Crankshaft main bearing journals must be within specifications before checking journal clearance.
Scheme 2367
Scheme 2368
- Remove the crankshaft main bearing caps and crankshaft main bearing.
- Lay a piece of Plastigage across the face of each crankshaft main bearing surface.
- Install and remove the crankshaft main bearing cap.
- Verify the crankshaft journal clearance.
Connecting Rod Bearing Journal Taper and Out-of-Round
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2369
- Measure the crankshaft connecting rod journal diameters in 2 directions perpendicular to one another at each end of the connecting rod journal. The difference in the measurements from one end to the other is the taper. Verify measurement is within the wear limit.
Cylinder Bore Taper
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2370
- Measure the cylinder bore at the top, middle and bottom of piston ring travel in 2 directions as indicated. Verify the cylinder bore is within the wear limit. The difference indicates the cylinder bore taper. If the cylinder bore taper does not meet specification, bore the cylinder to the next oversize limit.
Cylinder Bore Out-of-Round
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2371
- Measure the cylinder bore in 2 directions. The difference is the out-of-round.
Piston Pin Bore Diameter
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
- Measure the piston pin bore diameter in 2 directions on each side. Verify the diameter is within specification.
Piston Diameter
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2372
- Measure the piston diameter 90 degrees from the piston pin and 42 mm (1.65 in) down from the top of the piston at the point indicated.
Piston To Cylinder Bore Clearance
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
- Subtract the piston diameter from the cylinder bore diameter to find the piston-to-cylinder bore clearance.
Piston Selection
Note. The cylinder bore must be within the specifications for taper and out-of-round before fitting a piston.
Scheme 2373
Scheme 2374
- Select a piston size based on the cylinder bore.
- Choose the piston with the correct paint color or specific size grade. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the procedure.
Piston Pin Diameter
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2375
- Measure the piston pin diameter in 2 directions at the points shown in illustration. Verify the diameter is within specification.
Connecting Rod Cleaning
Note. Do not use a caustic cleaning solution or damage to connecting rods can occur.
- Mark and separate the parts and clean with solvent. Clean the oil passages.
Connecting Rod Large End Bore
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2376
- Tighten the bolts to specification, then measure the bore in 2 directions. The difference is the connecting rod bore out-of-round. Verify the out-of-round is within specification.
Connecting Rod Bushing Diameter
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2377
Scheme 2378
- Use a telescoping gauge to determine the ID of the connecting rod bushing, if equipped.
- Measure the telescoping gauge with a micrometer. Verify the diameter is within specification.
Connecting Rod Bearing Journal-to-Bearing Clearance
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Note. The crankshaft connecting rod journals must be within specifications to check the connecting rod bearing journal clearance.
Scheme 2379
Scheme 2380
- Remove the connecting rod bearing cap.
- Position a piece of Plastigage across the bearing surface.
- Install and tighten to specifications, then remove the connecting rod bearing cap.
- Measure the Plastigage to get the connecting rod bearing journal clearance. The Plastigage should be smooth and flat. A changing width indicates a tapered or damaged connecting rod or connecting rod bearing.
Valve Stem Diameter
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2381
- Measure the diameter of each intake and exhaust valve stem at the points shown in illustration. Verify the diameter is within specification.
Valve Guide Inner Diameter
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2382
- Use a ball gauge to determine the inside diameter of the valve guides in 2 directions at the top, middle and bottom of the valve guide.
- Measure the ball gauge with a micrometer.
- If the valve guide is not within specifications, install a new cylinder head assembly.
Valve Spring Installed Length
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2383
- Measure the installed length of each valve spring.
Valve Spring Free Length
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2384
- Measure the free length of each valve spring.
Scheme 2385
- Measure the out-of-square on each valve spring. Turn the valve spring and observe the space between the top of the valve spring and the square.
Valve and Seat Refacing Measurements
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Note. After grinding valves or valve seats, check valve clearance.
Scheme 2386
- Check the valve head and seat. Check valve angles. Check margin width. Be sure margin width is within specification.
- Inspect for abnormalities on the valve face and seat. Install a new cylinder head assembly if abnormalities are found.
Valve Seat Width
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2387
- Measure the valve seat width. If necessary, grind the valve seat to specification. Measure the intake valve seat width. Measure the exhaust valve seat width. Recheck the valve spring installed length after the seats have been ground, and shim the valve springs as necessary to achieve the correct installed spring length. Depending on the engine, check the valve lash. Refer to appropriate Engine article(s) for the procedure .
Valve Seat Runout
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for the specification.
Scheme 2388
- Use a valve seat runout gauge to check valve seat runout.
Scheme 2389
- Inspect the valve tappet for damage, especially in the indicated areas. If any damage is evident, inspect the camshaft lobes and valves for damage. Install new components as necessary.
Powertrain/Drivetrain Mount Neutralizing
Note. Refer to the appropriate Engine article(s) for special instructions on loosening and tightening mount fasteners.
- With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to «JACKING & LIFTING»(ref-439777) article.
- Loosen, but do not remove, the powertrain/drivetrain mount fasteners.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Start the vehicle and move it in forward 0.6-1.2 m (2-4 ft). Then move the vehicle in reverse the same distance.
- Raise and support the vehicle.
- Tighten the powertrain/drivetrain mount fasteners.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Test the system for normal operation.