4/21/2008
PT Cruiser (2.4L) Head Gasket Design Change
There
is a cylinder head gasket design change for 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
2.4L VIN B engines. The hole size opening was changed to improve the
ability of oil drainback from the cylinder head and also improve
crankcase ventilation on 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.4L VIN B engines.
Beginning in 2002 this opening was reshaped to a much larger size.
A
new cylinder head gasket was designed to fit the new cylinder head with
C/N 04667086. The 2002 block was also modified to reflect the cylinder
head revision. With the implementation of the improved engine oil
return and crankcase ventilation (enlarged hole), it became necessary
for the 2002 and newer head gasket revision.
The design change
to the cylinder head gasket was made to cover the new larger crankcase
ventilation enlarged hole. The hole, marked in Figure 6, is between
cylinders No. 3 and No. 4 on the 2002 head gasket. Only one of the oil
drainback holes on the flywheel side is opened from a round hole to a
slightly larger irregular shape.
The original hole was much
smaller and is the reason the gasket will not fit properly on the
earlier 2001 and older cylinder heads and blocks.
Although the
earlier 2001 gasket can physically be installed on the 2002 head and
block, it will leak oil from the uncovered oil return/ventilation hole
in the cylinder head when the engine is run. It will also block
openings. The oil hole between the cylinders is not a high-pressure oil
passage.
The revised 2002 head/block may be installed on 2001
vehicles, so exercise caution when assembling these engines, as well as
when buying cores.
This information was provided by AERA.
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