How to properly remove and install the cylinder heads in 3.0L V6 engine on 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?

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It is essential that one should allow the engine to cool for some time before attempting this process. Place the engine at TDC of the compression stroke of the number 1 cylinder and then flush and drain the engine coolant. The timing belt cover has to be taken off so does the timing belt and the camshaft sprockets and inter alternate the intake manifold as well. Next you will have to take off the rocker arm parts with hydraulic lash adjusters, and the exhaust manifold(s), and note that each manifold may still stay connected to the cylinder head after head has been unbolted from the engine block if disconnected from the exhaust system or crossover pipe. With the front cylinder head, unscrew and unbolt the distributor, and air conditioning compressor from the bracket without removing the hoses and set it aside secured to the vehicle, in a way that it does not hang by the hoses, and then remove the air conditioning compressor bracket. Regarding the latter, one has to remove the brackets and heater hoses at the transaxle end of the rear cylinder head, remove the air cleaner housing from the engine compartment, and the alternator as well as its bracket from the cylinder head. Using a 10 mm hex drive tool, turn the cylinder head bolts counterclockwise in small steps of 1/4 turn up to the stage that they can be removed by hand and in the numerical sequence. The head bolts should also be stored in cardboard holders; the holders should be labeled to indicate the bolt pattern, including the front (F) and rear (R) of the engine, and the timing belt side of the engine. If we feel any resistance we place the head on a wood block and hammer and pry only on a casting protrusion. If so desired, it will be necessary to transaxle the camshaft(s). As for the installation, it is necessary to scrape off the remnants of the gasket material for the cylinder heads and the engine block, so the surfaces should be absolutely clean. Copper gasket scraper should be used to remove carbon and the remainders of the previous gasket after which the surfaces should be washed with lacquer thinner or acetone since oil on the mating surfaces affect the sealing. Examine also the block and head mating surfaces and use file for slight damages or if much damage then it is recommended to machine it. The threads in all the head bolt holes should be chased with a tap of the right size while the threaded holes in the block should be cleaned. Align the new gaskets to fit the dowel pins on the block, put the heads of the parts on the block such that they do not shift the gaskets, oil the threads lightly and tighten the bolts and nuts by hand and fit them where they were initially located. Perform the first process of putting the bolt in place and then proceed to the second step of tightening to render torque and then complete the process by making the necessary third step of tightening the bolt to the recommended torque. The remaining steps in the installation process are of course the reverse of the removal. Last of all, fill with coolant, change the engine oil and the filter and then turn over the engine and look for oil and coolant leaks.

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