Is it necessary to remove the crankshaft pulley when replacing a head gasket on a 2.4 DOCH?

Question

I have a 1998 Stratus 2.4L with a bad head gasket and was wondering if the crankshaft pully will need to be removed in the process?

I am not sure if the timing belt cover is actually behind the crankpully .

Answer 1

yes you have to and to do so you need a special tool  it is a 3 jaw puller with a push rod in the middle.  and to reinstall you need to heat the pulley in the oven for an hour on 450 to open the hole to fit it back on DO NOT USE A HAMMER as it will damage the bearings in the motor.  you have to align the cam marks and the crank marks or engine damage will result

Answer 2

As I remember the rear cover bolts on to both the head and the block so yes, you will need to remove the crank pulley. There's also no other way to index the crankshaft timing mark. These engine also use a hydraulic belt tensioner that must be removed and reset which is not possible unless you remove the pulley and cover.

Answer 3

Regardless, you will have to remove the crank accessory pulley in order to align the timing mark.  The crank cam belt  pulley does not have to be removed.

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