Crankshaft: Testing and Inspection

WM 134801 Checking crankshaft on V6 DFI engines (checking bearing clearance)

Tools





Technical values





Preliminary work

1. Remove oil pan. -> 175019 Removing and installing oil pan - section on "Removing" Service and Repair
2. Remove oil pump. -> 172019 Removing and installing oil pump - section on "Removing" Service and Repair

Tools and materials

Tools and measuring/test equipment





Information

Component overview





Component overview of crankshaft





Checking radial play and axial play of crankshaft

Checking radial play of crankshaft

1. Dismantle bearing cover for shaft journals and remove along with bearing shell.
2. Clean shaft journal and bearing shell with a lint-free cloth.

Information

- When measuring radial play, do not rotate the crankshaft.

- Plastigage is highly susceptible to damage Insert Plastigage carefully.

- With the Plastigage strip inserted, do not allow any sideways or axial movement of the bearing shells otherwise the measurements may be incorrect (changes to the Plastigage strip).

3. Lay the 10 mm strip of red Plastigage on the shaft journal or on the bearing shell. -arrow-





Plastigage on shaft journals

4. Fit the bearing cover along with the bearing shell and tighten to the specified tightening torque. For details, see

Information

- The Plastigage packaging features a representation of a measurement scale on both sides, one in inches and the other in millimeters. Do not mix up the two of them when measuring.

5. Remove the bearing cover again and compare the thickness of the Plastigage with the scale on the packaging -see illustration-. If the wear limit is reached or exceeded, replace the crankshaft and bearing shells.





Comparing Plastigage strip with the scale on its packaging









Checking axial play of crankshaft

1. Measure the axial bearing play (bearing cover 5) between the thrust washer and the crank web with a feeler gauge -see illustration-. When measuring the amount of play, turn the crankshaft by hand in the direction of travel. If the wear limit is reached or exceeded, dismantle the bearing cover and perform the measurement again with new thrust washers. If the measured values from the last measurement show no improvement, the crankshaft and bearing shells must be replaced.





Feeler gauge









Subsequent work

1. Install oil pump. -> 172019 Removing and installing oil pump - section on "Installing" Service and Repair
2. Install oil pan. -> 175019 Removing and installing oil pan - section on "Installing" Service and Repair