The 3.5-liter atmospheric V6 created by Chrysler engineers debuted back in 1993. It was a response of American engineers to the appearance of advanced, efficient and powerful gasoline V6 from Japanese automakers. There are reports that the Americans chose the 3.2-liter V6 from Acura / Honda as a benchmark, which impressed them with its characteristics.
Indeed, in the early 1990s, Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Eagle cars did not have a modern engine. They could only count on a 3.3-liter atmospheric engine with a single “lower” camshaft in the block camber. Actually, this engine was taken as a basis. However, when creating a 3.5-liter engine without significant changes was left only the oil pan. Chrysler engineers made every effort to make their engine reliable, efficient and powerful.
Until 1999, the Chrysler V6 3.5 engine was produced with a cast iron block. Then the block began to be cast from aluminum alloy with cast iron liners placed in the cylinders. In the heads of the block is placed one camshaft, which through the upper rockers open pairs of intake and exhaust valves (4 valves per cylinder). The valve train is equipped with hydrocompensators. The upper vaults of the combustion chambers formed by the block heads have a dome shape. Thanks to this, engineers were able to place the cylinder head valves of increased diameter: 35-mm intake and 29-mm exhaust. Compression is 10:1 (10.4:1 in the original version, until 1999).
The timing belt is a timing belt, which must be replaced every 170,000 km. The piston stroke in the Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine is 81 mm and the cylinder bore is 96 mm. The crankshaft is made of steel and is hardened.
The intake manifold is variable length, with long and short intake ducts and flaps to switch between them.
American atmospheric V6 as of the early 2000s. It develops up to 253 hp and 339 Nm of torque, while running quietly on 92 gasoline.
Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine versions
The Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine is a six-cylinder V-twin engine with a displacement of 3.5 liters. It was used on a number of Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth models and had various versions that differed in power and internal features. This engine has an aluminum block and cylinder heads, as well as a chain-driven timing system.
General Characteristics
- Volume: 3.5 liters (3518 cm³)
- Configuration: V6
- Cylinder block material: Aluminum
- Power system: Injector (MPI)
- Transmission: Belt or chain depending on modification
- Fuel: Gasoline
- Environmental standards: Complies with various Euro standards depending on the year of manufacture.
Special features
- The Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine was used in various versions with different boost levels and fuel injection systems.
- Some versions had a variable valve timing (VVT) system, which improved power and fuel economy.
- The engine was popular for its combination of power and reliability, but also had high maintenance requirements, especially with regard to regular timing changes.
Special features of the various versions
- Early version (EGE, EGG): Used in models like the Chrysler LHS and Plymouth Prowler, had a power output of around 214-257 hp.
- Late version (EGF, EGN, EEG): Was more powerful and had an improved engine management system. It was used in the Chrysler Pacifica, 300C and Dodge Avenger, with outputs up to 253 hp.
- Engines with codes EGG, EGJ, EGK: Modifications used in more powerful vehicles such as the Dodge Intrepid and Chrysler 300M, with increased power up to 254 hp.
Transmission timing
The timing drive uses a timing belt that must be replaced every 170,000 kilometers. The piston stroke of the Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine is 81 mm, and the cylinder diameter is 96 mm.
Application of the Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine.
| Vehicle Model | Engine Code | Power | Years of production |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler LHS | EGE | 214 hp | 1993-1997 |
| Chrysler Pacifica | EGN | 253 hp | 2003-2006 |
| Chrysler Sebring | EGF | 253 hp | 2007-2010 |
| Chrysler 300C | EEG | 249-253 hp | 2004-2012 |
| Chrysler 300M | EGG, EGK | 252 hp | 1998-2004 |
| Dodge Intrepid | EGG, EGJ | 254 hp | 1998-2004 |
| Dodge Journey | EGF | 235 hp | 2008-present |
| Dodge Avenger | EGF | 253 hp | 2008-2012 |
| Plymouth Prowler | EGE, EGG | 214, 257 hp | 1997-2002 |
Reliability of the Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine
The American engine is really reliable. It will not present such surprises as liners turning, scoring on cylinder walls and other expensive problems. The main thing is to pour good oil into it and not to delay with replacements.
Electrics and sensors
The electrics of this engine can cause hassle, trouble and long trips to services. Check engine usually lights up due to faulty spark plugs or coils, with fault codes indicating ignition misses. If it’s not the spark plugs and coils, and the troubleshooting is delayed, it’s worth looking at the upper lambda probes. Usually their failure is the cause of engine errors, uneven idling, jerking when accelerating and “fudging” of the engine. But these are not the only causes of ignition failure on the Chrysler V6 3.5 engine.
Antifreeze Leaks
Antifreeze leaks are not uncommon on the Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine. The weak spots are the heater tube in the block camber, the pump gasket, and the thermostat housing.
Throttle plate
The throttle plate can get dirty and give an error too. If soot in the intake prevents it from closing properly, the engine will keep high idle speeds – more than 1000 rpm. All because the control unit will compensate for excess intake air by increasing the doses of injected gasoline. In this case, the flap should be removed and cleaned.
Fuel injectors
The fuel injectors are installed in the intake manifold through rubber sealing rings. When they get stale, gasoline begins to leak out. This does not affect engine performance, but you may smell gasoline in the cabin.
Chrysler V6 engine knocking
Also, the Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine can make unexplained knocks when running cold. Usually the cause of knocking is one or more rubbed hydrocompensators. Their knocking may go away when the engine warms up.
Can knock and drive flaps that change the geometry of the intake manifold. Due to soot and oily deposits, the flaps are jammed. They can be cleaned or simply removed. If the flaps are not running smoothly on the Chrysler engine, error p1004 is recorded, which clearly indicates a malfunction.
In very rare cases, knocking on the Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine can be produced by the hydraulic timing belt tensioner.
EGR of the Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine
The Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine has an EGR system with an electronically controlled (solenoid) valve. If the EGR valve is stuck in the open or ajar position, error P0406 occurs, fuel consumption increases, and there are jerks during acceleration. And at idle the engine runs unevenly and may stall. The EGR valve can be removed, soaked in cleaner or solvent and put back in place.
Carter Gas Ventilation System Valve
The crankcase ventilation valve, located on the right side of the engine block, needs periodic replacement every 50,000 km. If it becomes contaminated, gas pressure begins to squeeze oil out through oil seals, gaskets and even into the air filter.
Unsealed exhaust valves
The Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine has one innate problem, the ways of solving which were suggested by the manufacturer itself. The essence is that soot accumulates on the exhaust valve plates in such quantity that the valves are no longer tightly seated. In this case, again, there are errors on ignition misses P300 – P306 (they also indicate the failure of candles), the engine begins to trottle or loses a lot of power – you bet, because the compression drops!
In general, car owners themselves are somewhat to blame for this situation. Soot accumulates when, firstly, drivers do not let these motors warm up to working temperature normally, and, secondly, they take too much care of driving at high speeds. The fact is that the valves scroll around the axis on the Chrysler 3.5 V6 engine occurs when it is accelerated to 5000 rpm. And don’t be surprised: on all engines, the valves spin, which is necessary to clean soot from the seats and chamfers on the plates.
So, to solve this problem Chrysler engineers have issued a technical bulletin, according to which dealers and service stations need to turn the exhaust valves 90 degrees and pour a cleaning additive into the fuel. And at the same time to tell the owner to make long enough trips for the engine to warm up. And don’t hesitate to crank the engine to the cutoff.
Also, according to this bulletin, the servicemen need to change dryers to modernized ones, which allow the valves to crank at a lower engine speed. It is believed that on Chrysler 3.5 V6 engines made since 2008, the exhaust valves are already normally self-cleaning.