Dodge Nitro. Manual — part 3

Only use the following for cleaning gasket surfaces:

Solvent or a commercially available gasket remover

Plastic or wood scraper.

Drill motor with 3M Roloc™ Bristle Disc (white or yellow).

ENGINE CORE AND OIL GALLERY PLUGS

Fig. 3: Core Hole Plug Removal
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

NOTE:

Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) head gaskets require a scratch free sealing surface.

CAUTION: Excessive pressure or high RPM (beyond the recommended speed), can

damage the sealing surfaces. The mild (white, 120 grit) bristle disc is
recommended. If necessary, the medium (yellow, 80 grit) bristle disc may
be used on cast iron surfaces with care.

1 - CYLINDER BLOCK
2 - REMOVE PLUG WITH PLIERS

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

Using a blunt tool such as a drift and a hammer, strike the bottom edge of the cup plug (5). With the cup plug
rotated, grasp firmly with pliers or other suitable tool and remove plug. See Fig. 3.

Thoroughly clean inside of cup plug hole in cylinder block or head. Be sure to remove old sealer. Lightly coat
inside of cup plug hole with Mopar® Stud and Bearing Mount. Make certain the new plug is cleaned of all oil
or grease. Using proper drive plug, drive plug into hole so that the sharp edge of the plug is at least 0.5 mm
(0.020 in.) inside the lead-in chamfer.

It is not necessary to wait for curing of the sealant. The cooling system can be refilled and the vehicle placed in
service immediately.

REPAIR DAMAGED OR WORN THREADS

Damaged or worn threads can be repaired. Essentially, this repair consists of:

Drilling out worn or damaged threads.

Tapping the hole with a special Heli-Coil Tap, or equivalent.

Installing an insert into the tapped hole to bring the hole back to its original thread size.

REMOVAL

REMOVAL

3 - STRIKE HERE WITH HAMMER
4 - DRIFT PUNCH
5 - CUP PLUG

CAUTION: Do not drive cup plug into the casting as restricted cooling can result and

cause serious engine problems.

CAUTION: Be sure that the tapped holes maintain the original center line.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

Fig. 4: Removing/Installing A/C Compressor
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1. Disconnect the battery negative cable.

2. Remove hood. Mark hood hinge location for reinstallation.

3. Remove air cleaner assembly.

4. Remove radiator core support bracket.

5. Remove fan shroud with electric fan assembly.

6. Remove mechanical cooling fan.

7. Remove drive belt.

8. Remove A/C compressor (2) and secure away from engine with lines attached.

Fig. 5: Removing/Installing Generator

NOTE:

It is NOT necessary to discharge the A/C system to remove the engine.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

9. Remove power steering pump with lines attached and secure away from engine.

10. Drain cooling system.

11. Remove coolant bottle.

12. Disconnect the heater hoses from the engine.

13. Disconnect heater hoses from heater core and remove hose assembly.

14. Remove generator (3) and secure away from engine.

15. Disconnect throttle and speed control cables.

16. Remove upper radiator hose from engine.

17. Remove lower radiator hose from engine.

1 - LOWER BOLTS
2 - REAR BOLT
3 - GENERATOR

NOTE:

Do NOT remove the phenolic pulley from the P/S pump. It is not required
for P/S pump removal.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro