This procedure replaces the front crankshaft seal on the 3.5L EcoBoost engine, requiring removal of the harmonic balancer and timing cover.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM Motorcraft specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pan gasket (front section) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• RTV silicone sealant (Motorcraft TA-357) × 1 — Use OEM Motorcraft TA-357
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft pulley bolt (if TTY) × 1 — Verify if torque-to-yield before reuse

Fluids

• Motorcraft 5W-20 Synthetic Blend engine oil — 6 qt
• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 2 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold and vehicle is on level ground
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes for airbag system to discharge
3. Raise and support vehicle securely on jack stands at front subframe
4. Remove engine splash shield and undertray panels
5. Place drain pan under oil pan and drain engine oil completely
6. Drain coolant from radiator drain cock into separate container
7. Remove upper radiator sight shield and engine cover

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove serpentine belt and accessories
   Rotate belt tensioner clockwise using a 3/8 inch breaker bar in the tensioner square socket. Remove serpentine belt and carefully release tensioner. Remove the power steering reservoir bracket and reposition out of the way. Disconnect the crankshaft position sensor electrical connector.
2. 2

   Remove harmonic balancer bolt
   Use a crankshaft holding tool or have an assistant hold the crankshaft with a large breaker bar on the harmonic balancer bolt while you use an impact wrench to remove the center bolt. This bolt is torqued to 133 lb-ft and is likely torque-to-yield. Inspect the bolt for necking or stretching and replace if necessary.
   ⚠Do not use starter motor bumping method to hold crankshaft on this engine. Use proper holding tools only.
   Torque spec

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove harmonic balancer
   Install a proper three-jaw harmonic balancer puller onto the balancer. Do not use a two-jaw puller as it may damage the balancer. Tighten the puller center bolt gradually and evenly to pull the balancer off the crankshaft snout. If the balancer is stubborn, apply light penetrating oil around the hub and wait 15 minutes before continuing.
   ⚠Never strike the harmonic balancer with a hammer. This can damage the internal damper and cause catastrophic engine failure.
4. 4

   Remove timing cover mounting bolts
   Remove all timing cover bolts noting their locations as they are different lengths. There are 8mm bolts and 10mm bolts in specific positions. Remove the CKP sensor from the timing cover. Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the timing cover. Remove the thermostat housing from the timing cover if it interferes with removal.
   ℹ️Tag or photograph bolt locations. Incorrect bolt placement during reassembly can cause cover cracking.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)

   Sensor Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Separate timing cover from oil pan
   The timing cover bolts to the front of the oil pan with several bolts. Remove the front oil pan bolts that attach to the timing cover. You may need to gently pry between the timing cover and oil pan using a plastic pry tool. Do not force or bend the cover.
   ⚠The oil pan-to-timing cover junction uses RTV sealant. Carefully separate to avoid damaging the oil pan gasket sealing surface.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove timing cover
   Carefully pull the timing cover straight off the engine block. You may need to gently tap it with a rubber mallet to break the gasket seal. Once removed, support the cover to prevent it from bending. Remove the old gasket material from both the cover and engine block using a plastic scraper. Clean all sealing surfaces thoroughly with brake cleaner.
7. 7

   Remove old front seal
   Using a seal puller or careful use of a pick tool, pry out the old front crankshaft seal from the timing cover. Work around the seal perimeter evenly to avoid cocking it in the bore. Once removed, clean the seal bore in the timing cover with brake cleaner and inspect for any damage or scoring that could cause the new seal to leak.
   ⚠Do not gouge or scratch the seal bore in the timing cover. Damage here will cause oil leaks.
8. 8

   Install new front seal
   Lightly coat the outer edge of the new seal with clean engine oil. Position the seal in the timing cover bore with the seal lip facing inward toward the engine. Using a proper seal driver tool that matches the seal diameter, carefully drive the seal into the bore until it is fully seated and flush with the cover surface. The seal should go in square and evenly.
   ⚠Do not use a hammer directly on the seal. Use a proper driver tool to prevent cocking or damaging the seal.
9. 9

   Prepare timing cover for installation
   Install a new timing cover gasket onto the cover. Apply a thin 2-3mm bead of Motorcraft TA-357 RTV sealant at the oil pan-to-engine block junction points on the timing cover. Also apply RTV where the timing cover gasket meets the oil pan gasket. Allow the RTV to set for approximately 5 minutes but install the cover within 10 minutes of RTV application.
   ℹ️Too much RTV can squeeze into oil passages. Use only the specified amount in critical junction areas.
10. 10

    Install timing cover
    Carefully position the timing cover onto the engine block, ensuring it aligns with all dowel pins. Hand-start all timing cover bolts before tightening any. Install the correct length bolts in their proper positions. Tighten the 10mm bolts to 33 lb-ft and the 8mm bolts to 18 lb-ft in a crisscross pattern starting from the center and working outward. Install the front oil pan bolts and tighten to 9 lb-ft.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)

    Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install harmonic balancer
    Clean the crankshaft snout and the inside of the harmonic balancer hub with brake cleaner. Apply a small amount of clean engine oil to the crankshaft snout and the front seal lip. Align the harmonic balancer keyway with the crankshaft key and carefully slide the balancer onto the crankshaft by hand as far as it will go. Do not hammer it on.
12. 12

    Install and torque harmonic balancer bolt
    Install the harmonic balancer bolt (use new bolt if torque-to-yield). Hand-tighten the bolt first to draw the balancer onto the crankshaft snout. Use the crankshaft holding tool or assistant method to prevent rotation. Torque the bolt to 133 lb-ft. If specified as TTY in the service manual, an additional angle rotation may be required - verify this specification before final tightening.
    ⚠If this is a torque-to-yield bolt, it must be replaced and torqued to specification plus angle. Verify the exact procedure in Ford service information.
    Torque spec

    Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall accessories and serpentine belt
    Reconnect the crankshaft position sensor electrical connector. Reinstall the power steering reservoir bracket. Route the serpentine belt according to the belt routing diagram on the radiator core support. Rotate the tensioner clockwise and slip the belt onto the final pulley, then carefully release the tensioner.
14. 14

    Refill fluids and complete reassembly
    Install a new oil drain plug crush washer and reinstall the drain plug, torquing to 26 lb-ft. Refill the engine with 6 quarts of Motorcraft 5W-20 synthetic blend oil. Refill the cooling system with Motorcraft Orange coolant (approximately 2 quarts will be needed to replace what was drained). Reinstall the engine cover, splash shields, and undertray panels. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
    Torque spec

    Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check that all timing cover bolts are properly torqued and none were missed
2. Verify the serpentine belt is properly seated on all pulleys before starting the engine
3. Check that all electrical connectors have been reconnected, especially the CKP sensor
4. Ensure the cooling system is properly bled of air after refilling

Verification

• Start the engine and immediately check for oil leaks around the timing cover and front seal area
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify no coolant leaks at timing cover connections
• Check engine oil level on dipstick after running and top off if necessary
• Listen for any unusual noises from the front of the engine that could indicate improper harmonic balancer installation
• After the first 50-100 miles, re-inspect the timing cover area for any signs of oil seepage
• Verify no check engine lights related to crankshaft position sensor

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