Caution: Before removing the crankshaft, check the end play of the shaft.
- Install the gauge with the indicator coaxially with the shaft and rest the gauge rod against the end or the crank.
- Elements of the crank mechanism
1 — main bearing cap support; 2 - main bearing caps; 3 — main bearing shells; 4 - thrust bearings; 5 - Front coolant drain plug; 6 — cylinder block; 7 - tube; 8 - right coolant drain plug; 9 - copper gasket; 10 — branch pipe; 11 — knock sensor; 12 — crankshaft rear oil seal holder; 13 — drive plate; 14 — drive reinforcement plate; 15 — left coolant drain plug; 16 — coolant heater; 17 - oil jet; 18 — crankshaft; 19 — connecting rod; 20 — retaining ring; 21 — finger; 22 — piston; 23 - compression rings; 24 - oil scraper rings; 25 — guide sleeve.
Press the shaft back as far as it will go and set the indicator to zero. Then push the shaft forward as far as it will go, and record the arrow reading, which is equal to the play. If the play is greater than the permissible limit, check the wear of the shaft thrust bearings. If wear is detected, the clearance can be reduced by installing new thrust bearings.
Main and thrust bearings (liners) of the crankshaft
- You can also measure play using feeler gauges. Push the shaft forward as far as it will go. Insert feeler gauges (arrow) between the shaft and the front surface of the main bearing and measure the clearance.
- Remove the guide bushing.
- Remove the rear oil seal together with the holder.
Attention: Always replace the rear oil seal with a new one, and since the oil seal and holder are a single unit, they must be changed together.
- Check the markings on the main bearings. They should be numbered sequentially from the front of the engine to the rear. If there are no marks, make marks with a center punch. Often there is an arrow on the lids that points forward. If there isn't one, draw an arrow with paint before removing the caps. Loosen the cover bolts in 1/4 turn increments until they can be removed by hand, in the sequence shown in the illustration on the next page.
- Remove the main bearing cap support.
- Gently tap the caps with a soft-faced hammer, then remove them from the cylinder block. If necessary, use the bolts as levers to remove the covers. Try not to drop the bearing shells.
- Carefully pull the crankshaft out of the engine. Place the bearing shells in their places, install the bearing caps, support and tighten the bolts by hand.
- Remove the oil jets.
Please note: When purchasing thrust bearings, please note that the half rings have a bimetallic structure. This can be easily detected by running your fingernail across the bearing surface on the oil groove side. Beware of counterfeits.
