Replace the front crankshaft main seal on the 5.0L Coyote V8 by removing the front timing cover and harmonic balancer to access the seal.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil filter × 1 — Motorcraft FL-820-S or equivalent
• Coolant (if draining below timing cover level) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft 5W-20 Synthetic Blend — 7.5 qt
• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 2 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal
3. Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated
4. Raise and securely support front of vehicle on jack stands
5. Remove engine splash shield/underbody panels to access front of engine
6. Place drain pan under engine and drain engine oil, replacing crush washer on drain plug
7. Remove engine oil filter

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove serpentine belt and accessories
   Using a wrench on the tensioner, rotate the belt tensioner to release tension and remove the serpentine belt. Disconnect the alternator electrical connections and remove the alternator mounting bolts, then remove the alternator. Disconnect any electrical connectors on the power steering pump and remove the pump mounting bolts. Set the power steering pump aside without disconnecting hydraulic lines.
2. 2

   Drain coolant and remove upper radiator hose
   Drain coolant from the radiator to a level below the timing cover by opening the radiator drain valve or removing the lower radiator hose. Disconnect the upper radiator hose from the thermostat housing. Disconnect any coolant hoses connected to the timing cover area.
3. 3

   Remove cooling fan and shroud
   Remove the bolts securing the cooling fan and fan shroud assembly. On 4WD models, this may require removing the transmission cooler lines from clips on the fan shroud. Carefully lift the fan and shroud assembly out of the engine bay as a unit. Disconnect and remove the fan if still attached to the water pump pulley.
4. 4

   Remove water pump pulley and crankshaft pulley
   Remove the water pump pulley bolts and remove the pulley. Using an impact wrench, remove the harmonic balancer center bolt (this bolt is extremely tight at 133 lb-ft). If using a breaker bar, you may need to lock the flywheel through the starter opening to prevent engine rotation. Once bolt is removed, install a harmonic balancer puller and remove the harmonic balancer from the crankshaft snout.
   ⚠Never use a jaw-style puller on the outer rim of the harmonic balancer as this will damage the balancer. Use only a proper hub-mounted puller on the center hub.
   Torque spec

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect CKP sensor and oil pan connection
   Disconnect the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor electrical connector. Remove the CKP sensor mounting bolt and remove the sensor from the timing cover. Remove the front section oil pan bolts that connect the oil pan to the timing cover (typically 4-6 bolts across the front of the oil pan). You do not need to remove the entire oil pan.
   ℹ️The CKP sensor is fragile. Handle carefully and inspect the sensor tip for damage or metal debris before reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Sensor Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove timing cover bolts
   Remove all timing cover bolts. There are both 10mm and 8mm bolts of varying lengths around the perimeter of the timing cover. Note the location of each bolt as they are different lengths. Remove the bolts in a crisscross pattern starting from the outer bolts working inward. Gently pry the timing cover away from the engine block using a plastic scraper or pry tool at the designated pry points (usually at the bottom corners). Do not pry against machined sealing surfaces.
   ⚠Keep track of bolt locations as 10mm and 8mm bolts are used in specific positions. Improper bolt placement during reassembly can cause damage.
7. 7

   Remove old front crankshaft seal
   With the timing cover removed, inspect the timing chain and guides for wear (note any issues but do not disassemble unless replacing timing components). Using a seal removal tool or small pry bar, carefully pry the old front crankshaft seal out of the timing cover bore. Work around the seal gradually to avoid damaging the bore. Clean the seal bore thoroughly with brake cleaner and inspect for any damage or scoring.
   ⚠Do not gouge or scratch the seal bore in the timing cover as this will cause the new seal to leak.
8. 8

   Install new front crankshaft seal
   Lightly coat the outer diameter of the new front seal with clean engine oil. Position the seal squarely in the timing cover bore with the seal lip facing inward toward the engine. Using a front seal installer tool or appropriately-sized socket that contacts only the outer edge of the seal (never the center), drive the seal into the bore until it is fully seated and flush with the timing cover face. Apply a light coating of clean engine oil to the seal lip.
9. 9

   Prepare timing cover and gasket surfaces
   Thoroughly clean all old gasket material and RTV sealant from both the timing cover and engine block mating surfaces using a plastic scraper. Clean surfaces with brake cleaner and ensure they are completely dry and free of oil. Inspect the crankshaft snout and harmonic balancer hub for any scoring or damage. Clean the crankshaft front seal contact area with brake cleaner.
10. 10

    Install timing cover gasket and apply RTV
    Position the new timing cover gasket on the engine block, ensuring all alignment dowels are properly seated. Apply a continuous 2.5-3.0mm bead of RTV silicone sealant (Motorcraft TA-357) at the points where the timing cover meets the oil pan-to-block junction and at the cylinder head-to-block junctions (top corners). Also apply RTV at any locations specified in the gasket instructions. The timing cover must be installed within 4 minutes of applying RTV.
    ⚠Excessive RTV can squeeze into oil passages and cause engine damage. Use only the specified bead size and keep RTV away from oil passages.
11. 11

    Install timing cover
    Carefully position the timing cover onto the engine block, ensuring the gasket remains in place and all alignment dowels engage properly. Install all timing cover bolts finger-tight first. Following a crisscross pattern from center outward, tighten the 10mm bolts to 45 Nm (33 lb-ft) and the 8mm bolts to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft). Refer to Ford service information for the exact tightening sequence if available. Allow RTV to cure for at least 30 minutes before adding oil.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall oil pan front bolts and CKP sensor
    Install the front section oil pan bolts that connect to the timing cover and tighten to 12 Nm (9 lb-ft). Install the crankshaft position sensor into the timing cover, ensuring the sensor tip is clean and free of debris. Tighten the CKP sensor bolt to 14 Nm (10 lb-ft) and reconnect the electrical connector.
    Torque spec

    Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install harmonic balancer
    Ensure the crankshaft snout and harmonic balancer bore are completely clean and dry. Align the harmonic balancer keyway with the crankshaft key and slide the balancer onto the crankshaft snout by hand as far as it will go. Install the harmonic balancer bolt and washer. Using an impact wrench or torque wrench while preventing crankshaft rotation, tighten the harmonic balancer bolt to 180 Nm (133 lb-ft). Verify with Ford service information whether this TTY bolt can be reused or must be replaced.
    ⚠Do not use anti-seize or thread locker on the harmonic balancer bolt unless specified by Ford. Use clean, dry threads only.
    Torque spec

    Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall accessories and drive belt
    Install the water pump pulley and tighten bolts securely. Reinstall the power steering pump and tighten mounting bolts per specification (use 59 Nm/44 lb-ft for main mounting bolts if applicable). Reinstall the alternator and tighten mounting bolts (use 34 Nm/25 lb-ft for typical mounting bolts). Reconnect all electrical connections. Install the serpentine belt by rotating the tensioner and routing the belt according to the belt routing diagram on the radiator support.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts59 Nm (44 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall cooling system components and refill fluids
    Reinstall the cooling fan and shroud assembly, reconnecting any transmission cooler line clips. Reconnect all coolant hoses to the timing cover and thermostat housing. Install a new oil filter. Refill the cooling system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant (approximately 2 quarts to replace what was drained, check level). Refill the engine with 7.5 quarts of Motorcraft 5W-20 Synthetic Blend oil. Reinstall the engine splash shield and lower the vehicle.

Reassembly

1. Double-check that all timing cover bolts are properly torqued in the correct sequence
2. Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
3. Ensure serpentine belt is properly routed and seated on all pulleys
4. Reconnect negative battery terminal

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 from timing cover or hoses
• Check for proper oil pressure on instrument cluster
• Verify serpentine belt runs smoothly without squealing or misalignment
• Check engine oil level after running and top off if necessary
• Test drive vehicle and monitor for any unusual noises or vibrations from the front of the engine
• Recheck timing cover area for leaks after test drive and 24 hours of RTV cure time

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