Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 16

17. Remove the left side secondary chain tensioner. 

Fig. 51: Removing Cylinder Head Access Plug 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

18. Remove the cylinder head access plug (1) (2). See Fig. 51.  

19. Remove the left side secondary chain guide.  

20. Remove the retaining bolt and the camshaft drive gear. 

1 - RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD ACCESS PLUG
2 - LEFT CYLINDER HEAD ACCESS PLUG

CAUTION: Do not allow the engine to rotate. Severe damage to the valve train 

can occur.

CAUTION: Do not overlook the four smaller bolts at the front of the cylinder 

head. Do not attempt to remove the cylinder head without removing 
these four bolts.

NOTE:

The cylinder head is attached to the cylinder block with twelve bolts.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

  

21. Remove the cylinder head retaining bolts.  

22. Remove the cylinder head and gasket. Discard the gasket.  

CLEANING 

CYLINDER HEADS 

Fig. 52: Proper Tool Usage for Surface Preparation 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

CAUTION: Do not lay the cylinder head on its gasket sealing surface, due to the 

design of the cylinder head gasket any distortion to the cylinder head 
sealing surface may prevent the gasket from properly sealing resulting in 
leaks.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

  

To ensure engine gasket sealing, proper surface preparation must be performed, especially with the use of 
aluminum engine components. See Fig. 52. See STANDARD PROCEDURE.  

INSTALLATION 

INSTALLATION 

Fig. 53: Stretched Bolt, Threads Are Not Straight On Line, Threads Are Straight On Line & Unstreched 
Bolt 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

Necking can be checked by holding a straight edge against the threads. If all the threads do not contact the scale 
(1), the bolt should be replaced. See Fig. 53.

1 - PLASTIC/WOOD SCRAPER

1 - STRETCHED BOLT
2 - THREADS ARE NOT STRAIGHT ON LINE
3 - THREADS ARE STRAIGHT ON LINE
4 - UNSTRETCHED BOLT

NOTE:

The cylinder head bolts are tightened using a torque plus angle procedure. The 
bolts must be examined BEFORE reuse. If the threads are necked down the 
bolts should be replaced.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 54: Proper Tool Usage for Surface Preparation 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Clean the cylinder head and cylinder block mating surfaces. See Fig. 54.  

2. Position the new cylinder head gasket on the locating dowels. 

1 - PLASTIC/WOOD SCRAPER

CAUTION: When cleaning cylinder head and cylinder block surfaces, DO NOT use a 

metal scraper because the surfaces could be cut or ground. Use only a 
wooden or plastic scraper.

CAUTION: When installing cylinder head, use care not damage the tensioner 

arm or the guide arm.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro