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Chrysler Pacifica Engine Questions and Problems
caliberchic
Member Posts: 402
in Chrysler
Have a question about engine issues, post them here!
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The air filter plenum box is located on the passenger side of the engine compartment, towards the front. It is marked "Air Filter" in big letters, so finding it is not an issue. Getting it open is another matter altogether.
From this point on, all directions will be referenced from the point of view of standing in front of the car (directly in front of the passenger side headlight), looking at the air filter plenum box.
The first step is to remove the two retaining screws on the front and back of the right side of the plenum box. If you have an OEM air filter, you can depress the top of the plenum box enough to release the three retaining tabs on the left side of the box and allow the top to slide to right. Slide the top far enough to the right to let the three retaining tabs clear their individual holding slots. Now you can partially lift the top to remove the old filter and install the new one.
The OEM air filter is made of a soft spongy material for its frame and seal. The outer edge can be compressed fairly flat allowing you to depress the plenum box top enough to get the three retaining tabs back in their slots and slid the top completely back to the left in its original position. Tighten the two retaining screws and you are done.
Here is where it gets tough if you do not have an OEM air filter. The replacement Fram air filter I purchased has a rigid rubber/plastic frame with a softer rubber seal on the top and bottom edge of the filter frame. This is pretty much the standard setup I have seen on all air filters other than the Pacifica OEM type. Anyway, the stiff frame will not allow you to compress the plenum box top enough to reengage the three retaining tabs. The only way to install this type of replacement filter is as follows:
1. Remove the plastic engine cover. It is attached to the top of the engine by four pressure tabs, so it is easy to just pop it off.
2. Loosen the hose bracket holding the plenum box accordion hose to the engine air intake. Remove the hose from the engine air intake. There is a sensor attached to the hose, so be careful not to put too much stress on the sensor wire.
3. Remove the small hose attached to the front right of the plenum box top. It is just pressed on, so it can be easily pulled off and pushed back on.
4. Now remove the top completely from the plenum box. Again, be careful to not put too much stress on the sensor wire on the accordion hose. Tilt the left side of the top down and reengage the top's three retaining tabs back into the slots on the left side of the plenum box. Press the accordion hose as tight as possible against the top and push the right side of the top back down on top of the air filter plenum box.
5. Reattach the accordion hose to the engine air intake. Tighten the hose retaining clip.
6. Reattach the small hose to the receptacle on the front right of the top.
7. Tighten the two retaining screws on the air filter plenum box top. Ensure that the top fits properly back onto the plenum box as you tighten the retaining screws.
7. Reattach the plastic engine cover by aligning the four press tabs to their receptacles and pressing down firmly.
Fire up your engine and enjoy your new air filter.
That is the most complicated air filter change I have ever done.
Thanks
Person and I can't afford the cost to repair/replace an engine. My AC is not working, they told me the radiator has problems, snd i have the radio static issue. All mechanics have told me to get rid of it and quick. I've been told dealers are not too willing to take them in for trade in. Prior to this I owned a 2000 Durango. At this point I have lost all faith in Chrysler product.
Now what about repeated failure? I was concerned about this issue after reading all the posts all over the place about this problem. Only now I have exhaustively researched all about these parts. I highly suspect poor quality parts and/or driver abuse. And driver abuse. The two cushions (hydraulic mounts) are identical to the 3500 series Ram, Cummins with even the standard transmission. I cannot find any complaints about mount failure in this vehicle. It IS mounted differently BUT I don't see how a Pacifica can put the same strain on the part as a heavier load hauling massively higher torque vehicle like a RAM. If my mounts fail I'll stand corrected and try to repost. I have however opted for low cost cheap parts. If they work in a RAM I believe they will work in a Pacifica. DEA and likely another cheap brand on the next car.