This procedure covers replacement of a single hydraulic valve lifter on the 2011-2014 Ford F-150 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, requiring removal of the valve cover, rocker arm assembly, and extraction of the failed lifter.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Hydraulic valve lifter × 1 — Motorcraft CM-5313 or equivalent
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover bolt grommets × 10 — Use OEM specification
• Ignition coil o-rings (if applicable) × 4 — Use OEM specification
• RTV silicone gasket maker × 1 — Motorcraft TA-357 or equivalent
• Engine assembly lubricant × 1 — Motorcraft XL-3 or equivalent
• Brake cleaner × 1 — Non-chlorinated

Fluids

• Motorcraft 5W-20 Synthetic Blend engine oil — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground, engage parking brake, and chock rear wheels
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes for airbag system to deplete
3. Remove engine cover (plastic decorative cover pulls up from grommets)
4. Identify which cylinder and valve position has the failed lifter - this procedure assumes you have diagnosed the specific location
5. Determine if failed lifter is on left (driver) or right (passenger) bank to minimize disassembly
6. Relieve fuel system pressure: Remove fuel pump fuse, start engine and allow to stall, crank for 5 seconds
7. Drain coolant if working on right bank (passenger side requires coolant crossover pipe removal)
8. Label and photograph all vacuum lines, electrical connectors, and ignition coil positions for reassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove valve cover from affected bank
   Disconnect ignition coil connectors and remove coils (10mm bolts). Disconnect PCV hose, breather hose, and any vacuum lines attached to valve cover. Remove wiring harness brackets. Remove valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (work from outside toward center). Carefully pry valve cover loose using plastic pry points - do not pry on sealing surfaces. Remove valve cover and gasket.
2. 2

   Rotate engine to position cylinder at base circle
   Using a 24mm socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt, rotate the engine clockwise (viewed from front) until the cam lobes for the affected valve are pointing away from the rocker arm (base circle position). This is CRITICAL - the cam lobe must be rotated 180 degrees away from the lifter. Mark the harmonic balancer and timing cover position with paint pen for reference. Verify both rocker arms on the affected cylinder are on the base circle.
   ⚠Only rotate engine in normal direction of rotation (clockwise from front). Never rotate engine backward as this can damage the timing chains or VCT phasers.
3. 3

   Remove rocker arm for affected valve
   With the cam lobe on base circle, loosen and remove the rocker arm bolt for the affected valve position. Carefully lift the rocker arm straight up and off the valve stem and lifter bucket. Inspect rocker arm roller for wear, scoring, or flat spots - replace if damaged. Keep rocker arm oriented correctly for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Rocker Arm Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Extract the failed lifter
   Using a magnetic lifter removal tool, carefully extract the hydraulic lifter from its bore in the cylinder head. The lifter should slide out with moderate force. If stuck, DO NOT pry or use excessive force - apply penetrating oil and allow to soak for 30 minutes. Inspect lifter bore for scoring, debris, or damage. Clean bore thoroughly with brake cleaner and lint-free cloth.
   ⚠Do not drop the lifter or allow debris to fall into the engine. Cover adjacent valve openings with clean shop towels.
5. 5

   Inspect camshaft lobe and related components
   With lifter removed, inspect the camshaft lobe surface for scoring, pitting, or irregular wear patterns. Minor polishing is acceptable, but any scoring or pitting requires camshaft replacement. Check the valve spring for proper tension and signs of fatigue. Inspect valve stem tip for wear. Rotate engine slightly to verify cam lobe profile is smooth across entire lift range.
   ℹ️If camshaft shows wear, the entire camshaft must be replaced as individual lobe repair is not possible. This requires significant additional disassembly including timing chain removal.
6. 6

   Prepare and install new lifter
   Remove new lifter from packaging. Submerge lifter in clean engine oil and manually pump the plunger 10-15 times to prime the internal check valve and oil passages. Coat exterior of lifter with engine assembly lubricant. Verify lifter bore is completely clean and dry. Install lifter into bore, ensuring it seats fully at the bottom of the bore. Lifter should slide in smoothly with light finger pressure.
   ⚠Never install a dry lifter. Unprimed lifters can cause valvetrain noise and potential damage during initial startup.
7. 7

   Verify cam position and reinstall rocker arm
   Double-check that the camshaft lobe is still positioned on the base circle (lobe pointing away from rocker arm). Apply engine assembly lubricant to the rocker arm roller, valve stem tip, and lifter crown. Carefully position rocker arm over the valve stem and lifter, ensuring proper alignment. Install rocker arm bolt finger-tight, then torque to specification while maintaining cam position on base circle.
   ⚠️Installing or torquing rocker arm while cam is on lift portion of lobe can bend pushrods (if equipped), damage valves, or break rocker arm components. Verify base circle position before torquing.
   Torque spec

   Rocker Arm Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Verify valvetrain operation
   Slowly rotate engine by hand two complete revolutions (720 degrees crankshaft rotation) while observing the repaired cylinder's valvetrain operation. Watch for smooth rocker arm movement, proper lifter pump-up, and absence of binding or unusual resistance. Listen and feel for any clicking or grinding sensations. Verify all rocker arms on the affected bank operate smoothly through their complete range.
   ⚠If any binding, unusual resistance, or clicking is detected, STOP immediately and diagnose before proceeding. Do not start engine with valvetrain abnormalities.
9. 9

   Clean and prepare valve cover mating surfaces
   Thoroughly clean cylinder head valve cover rail with plastic gasket scraper - remove all old gasket material and RTV silicone. Clean with brake cleaner and allow to dry completely. Inspect mating surface for warping or damage. Clean valve cover mating flange similarly. Apply small 2mm bead of RTV silicone at the two front corners where timing cover meets cylinder head (these are common oil leak points).
   ℹ️Do not use metal scrapers on aluminum surfaces as gouging will create leak paths. Use only plastic scrapers and Scotch-Brite pads.
10. 10

    Install valve cover with new gasket
    Install new valve cover bolt grommets into valve cover holes. Position new valve cover gasket onto valve cover (gasket has integrated bead that fits into valve cover groove). Carefully lower valve cover assembly onto cylinder head, ensuring gasket remains properly seated. Start all valve cover bolts finger-tight. Torque valve cover bolts in sequence: start at center and work outward in a spiral pattern to specified torque.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall ignition coils and accessories
    Apply small amount of dielectric grease to ignition coil boots. Install ignition coils to their original positions (verify with photos taken during disassembly). Install new o-rings if coils showed any oil contamination. Torque coil mounting bolts to specification. Reconnect all electrical connectors, ensuring positive clicks. Reinstall wiring harness brackets, PCV hose, breather hoses, and vacuum lines to original positions.
    Torque spec

    Sensor Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Refill coolant if drained and reconnect battery
    If coolant was drained for right bank service, refill cooling system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant to proper level (16 quarts total capacity). Bleed cooling system per Ford procedure. Reconnect negative battery cable. Clear any stored diagnostic codes that may have set during battery disconnection. Install engine cover.
    ℹ️Cooling system must be properly bled to avoid air pockets which can cause overheating. Run engine to operating temperature with heater on high, then recheck coolant level after cool-down.

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to specifications in the order listed - valve cover bolts must be tightened in sequence from center outward
2. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated with positive engagement - loose coil connectors will cause misfires
3. Double-check that no tools, rags, or parts were left in engine valley or under valve cover
4. Verify PCV system is properly connected - incorrect PCV routing can cause vacuum leaks and rough idle

Verification

• Before starting engine, rotate crankshaft by hand two complete revolutions to verify smooth operation with no binding or resistance
• Check for fuel, coolant, or vacuum leaks around all disturbed connections before starting
• Start engine and listen for abnormal valvetrain noise - properly installed lifter should be silent after 30-60 seconds of oil pressure
• Allow engine to idle for 5 minutes, monitoring for oil leaks around valve cover gasket, especially at front corners
• Perform test drive including gentle acceleration and highway speeds - monitor for check engine light, rough idle, or unusual engine noises
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check valve cover bolt torque as gasket may compress slightly during initial heat cycles
• Verify repair success: lifter tick should be completely eliminated, no misfires detected, and normal engine operation restored

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