This weekend... first of all hello to the Chrysler forum members, greeting y'all...

So, this weekend I decided to tackle the engine problem. How it all started? With a leaking oil pressure sensor, car being parked on the grass all the time girlfriend did not notice the oil leak . Well, I decided to fix the issue but was too late, engine knock and not too long after that the piston rod decided to create an access hole through the oil pan (see pics). All said and done, with the engine out, finally, a few pair of gloves later and countless bad words flowing out....
Conclusion: the worse engine design I've seen, nothing is easy to get to.
What I've learned? You can remove a 2.7 through the top by disconnecting it from the automatic transmission and separate the two. Don't buy a Sebring 2.7 (She did not me).
Anyway, if I'd have to do it all over again I would do this (I learned this the hard way)
1. remove hood
2. remove front bumper, everything (see pics) 30 minutes and worth the effort , leave the radiator there. What a great place for the battery
3. raise car and support on two stands, remove pass wheel (front of course)
4. remove the 2 long bolts holding the pass side motor mount (keep the 3 still intact, nothing will fall)
5. remove power steering tank, disconnect the PS line that runs down and back (see pic) if you don't the engine won't come out easy. take out the PS it'll be in the way.
6. remove alternator, belt tensioner, take out the belt
7. drain coolant (this was a pain to do because it is impossible to get if alternator is there)
8. disc air filter housing, disconnect Fuel line (release pressure first)
9. disc main harness (3 connection), disc the throttle cable
10. support transmission
11. remove exhaust under the engine, better said disconnect cause that darn thing is not coming out, so while underneath the car you need to move it right and left the whole time to get to the bolts.
12. break (your choice of refreshments)
13. start removing the bolts connecting the engine and trans. leave 1 on top and one on the bottom lightly removed.
14. remove the 4 bolts connecting the torque converter to the .... fly wheel? is that the name?
15. support engine, your choice how. I did it by see pics.
16. happily remove the front engine mount, starter and any wires that will interfere with engine removal
17. back side of engine double check for bolts you have not noticed initially, don't have to remove rear mount
18. break
19. now I am tired
20. the hell with this
21. who in the hell decided to design this piece of %^&*???
22.
23. remove 3 bolts from pass mount, now things get interesting again.
24. start lifting the engine. You'll notice the flywheel lip (I don't know how to call it ) interfering with raising the engine from the trans.
25. remove the thermostat housing with hoses, will make it easier on the long run

I am sure I am forgetting something. Wiggle back and forth and it will come out. Is not easy. If something fails like the starter, AC, water pump ( oh GOD) get ready to spend some money. Engines are expensive and not worth their weight in gold.
Now I am debating to replace with another 2.7, tackle installing a 3.5 like this guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyCoJ...eature=related

also see http://www.tom-viki.com/1C3EL75R62N/engine.html

or just forget about it.

This is where I am at...
Comments welcome. Sorry for the grammar, etc.

 

Oh yeah.... pics.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...1&l=5e207cdd80

 

Noice!!!! :d

That LOG is priceless man. You're my redneck HERO!!

BTW, 2.7L is gone from the Chrysler world. Never to be seen again. They're actually not that bad in the 300. The FWDs are a PITA. Doing them without a lift is insanity...lol. My parents have a 2.7L that's DOA. Still trying to decide what to do with it. Junkyards want to rape you on them because they KNOW the demand. IF you do replace the engine you guys need to sell that thing ASAP.

 

OO OO i rebuild I rebuild I make some good money off buying junk cars wit 2.7 in them fix and sell them =) rebuild them from scratch in fact just pulled one out today and gonna remove the pistons tomorrow to take it to the machine shop =)

 

haha.... insanity is the right word. today I am visiting some junkyards and we'll see what I can come up with. I had nightmares last nite from not remembering where the bolts go... coming to think of it I don't

 

The junkyard trip was unproductive. 1 engine had coolant mixture and 3 had enough sludge to stucco a whole house.

 

"girlfriend did not notice the oil leak "

POS engine, falls apart just because there's no oil in it. Yeah, who designed that?

 

Somewhere in the forum I've read the one other weak point is a leaking oil pressure sensor. And it wasn't even around the thread, it was the fitting on the sensor. I can count on one hand how many women check oil on their cars and if the man's not around...

 

this coming weekend I'll open the engine and get some more questions answered

 

light sludge, 2 piston rods and wall cylinders messed up. Car sold, and this concludes my Sebring ownership. Good luck to the rest of you.