I currently have a 3.2L crossfire engine apart at the dealer and am looking to get a questions answered that no one can seem to answer. The short block comes with only the block, main caps, and the pistons. The question is, how do we determine which main bearings to use? They show 3 standard size bearings.

5174344AA Standard, Blue - 1 dot
5174345AA Standard, yellow - 2 dots
5174346AA Standard, Red - 3 dots

We do not have a table to cross-reference any sizing issues and since we are reusing the same crank, and installing new caps, I don't believe we could match up to the old bearings. But even if that were the case, according to a Mercedes dealer they should have markings on the thin side of the bearing to coincide with the dots. They do not. Any help would be appreciated.

James Campbell
james@genesteffy.com

 

Nothing? Well I've gotten in contact w/ several tech reps w/ DCX and tech line, as well as several training facilities. No info yet. I have one gentleman getting in contact w/ a German Engineer... so if I find anything, I'll share it. Just hope you don't run into needing to use this info!!!

 

...I don't think there are very many of us that have had to tear our engines down yet for this kind of thing. In fact, what on earth were you doing, that would require main bearing replacement on a one or two year old car?

 

I am the service manager at a dealer. We had a customer vehicle that had a piston get scored. Replacement of the block and piston were needed. The "short block" came with pistons and block only. I got back w/ some of the technical folks and they had mentioned that there should be markings on the pan rail to indicate which bearings to use. Typically it would have a circle w/ 1, 2 or 3 dots inside indicating weather or not to use blue, yellow, or red dotted bearings and their corresponding part numbers. I found that they actually stamped it with a 1, 2 or 3 on the pan rail on front and rear cap areas, and then next to the caps on the boss for the middle 2. This block is stamped slightly different, so I believe we are on the right track. We will be putting the bearings that correspond in and plastigauge to verify our findings. I did call and let some of the other chrysler tech folks know this as well as it seems we are perhaps one of the few dealers that have had this issue.

 

Boy, this kind of question/situation makes a person wonder what on earth the German engineers were thinking when they built the car and then failed to produce the necessary documentation/service books to perform maintenance or repair the car. I doubt the "old" Chrysler would have had the problem to the degree that seems to exist.

 

Well actually its a common practice now days to build engines like this. I've got a Honda motorcycle engine on my bench right now with the famous colored bearings and such. Even though it may indicate through markings on the case which bearings to use, cross referencing that with the chart in the manual...etc... you ALWAYS use plastiguage to check the clearance after you choose a bearing. 50% of the time you use a different bearing than is specified anyway due to clearances variations.

 

The STAR hotline won't be much help, I assume. And, if the Crossfire is like other Mercedes-built cars that I know of, you are probably stuck with a difficult and incomplete shop manual on a CD instead of Chrysler's usual excellent bound paper manuals. I would suggest checking with a Mercedes dealership in town, or following up with Mercedes' tech line. The 3.2L is used in a lot of MB cars. I'm sure the guys in the MB dealership have taken at least one apart before.

 

The Crossfire Workshop Manual is superb - 2 very thick paper volumes - has everything one could possibly need within it. Available through Chrysler - I think there's an 800 number in the owner's manual that comes with the car or you can get it from the parts desk at a dealership... Not cheap at about $120+, but definitely worth it!

 

...I stand corrected.

 

I have a Honda motorcycle in my garage, but it isn't in parts. Ever heard of a Honda CX650T?

 

Certainly... i've worked on a few in my time... great bikes.

 

There are so few people who even know that FI - turbo bikes were built in the 80s, it amazes me.

 

STAR center is who ultimately got me the info I needed. We verified all clearances, and it runs and drives, so all is well in the world. The biggest problems are probably the different torque specs given for same components, etc.