Complete timing chain kit replacement on the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, including chains, tensioners, guides, and cam phasers.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Timing chain kit (chains, guides, tensioners, sprockets) × 1 — Motorcraft or equivalent complete kit
• Cam phasers (both banks) × 2 — Often included in premium kits or sold separately
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gaskets (left and right) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pump gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft front seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil filter × 1 — Motorcraft FL-820-S or equivalent
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• RTV silicone gasket maker × 1 — Motorcraft TA-31 or equivalent

Fluids

• Motorcraft 5W-20 Synthetic Blend engine oil — 7.5 qt

Preparation

1. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 10 minutes for airbag system to discharge
2. Raise and support vehicle on jack stands at all four corners
3. Drain engine oil completely and replace drain plug with new crush washer
4. Drain coolant from radiator and engine block into appropriate container
5. Remove engine cover and air intake system
6. Remove radiator fan shroud, fan assembly, and radiator
7. Remove drive belt and serpentine belt tensioner
8. Remove power steering pump and set aside without disconnecting lines
9. Remove alternator and mounting bracket
10. Remove A/C compressor and set aside without disconnecting lines
11. Install engine support fixture to hold engine weight from above
12. Remove front engine mount through-bolt
13. Support front axle with jack and remove front axle mounting bolts to lower axle approximately 2 inches for clearance

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove crankshaft pulley
   Install flywheel holding tool through starter opening to lock crankshaft. Use impact wrench to remove crankshaft pulley bolt (rotates counterclockwise). Remove harmonic balancer using puller if necessary. Do not pry or hammer on balancer.
   Torque spec

   Crankshaft pulley bolt (M16, tighten then +90°)100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove valve covers
   Disconnect ignition coils and fuel injector electrical connections on both banks. Remove ignition coils. Disconnect PCV hoses and breather tubes. Remove valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence. Carefully lift off both valve covers and remove old gaskets.
   Torque spec

   Valve cover bolts10 Nm (89 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove timing cover
   Remove oil pan-to-timing cover bolts (lower section). Remove all timing cover bolts, noting different sizes: 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm bolts. Carefully pry timing cover away from engine block using plastic wedges at designated pry points. Remove timing cover and front crankshaft seal.
4. 4

   Verify TDC position and mark components
   Rotate crankshaft to position number 1 cylinder at TDC compression stroke. Verify timing marks on crankshaft and camshaft sprockets align with marks on timing chain. Take photos of timing mark positions for reference. Mark all cam phaser and sprocket positions relative to camshafts before removal.
   ⚠️Do not proceed if timing marks do not align properly. Incorrect positioning will result in engine damage upon reassembly.
5. 5

   Remove timing chain tensioners
   Remove the four timing chain tensioner bolts (two per bank). Carefully extract tensioners from their bores. Note the orientation of tensioners for reinstallation. Inspect tensioners for wear, scoring, or loss of hydraulic pressure. Replace as part of kit.
   Torque spec

   Primary timing chain tensioner bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove timing chain guides
   Remove timing chain guide bolts securing the fixed guides on both sides of the engine. Remove the two idler sprocket guide bolts. Carefully remove all chain guides and inspect for wear grooves or cracks. Replace all guides as part of timing chain kit.
   Torque spec

   Timing chain guide bolts12 Nm (106 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove cam phasers and sprockets
   Hold camshaft stationary using camshaft holding tool on the hex section behind the cam phaser. Remove cam phaser bolts from intake and exhaust camshafts on both banks. Remove cam phasers. Remove camshaft sprocket bolts using same holding method. Remove all sprockets and timing chains as an assembly.
   ⚠Do not allow camshafts to rotate once chains are removed. This can cause valve-to-valve contact.
8. 8

   Remove crankshaft sprocket and oil pump
   Remove timing chain idler sprocket bolt and idler sprocket. Remove crankshaft sprocket by pulling straight off crankshaft. Remove oil pump mounting bolts and extract oil pump assembly. Remove old oil pump gasket material from block.
9. 9

   Inspect and clean timing components
   Thoroughly clean all timing cover mating surfaces, removing all old gasket material and RTV with plastic scraper. Clean crankshaft nose and oil pump mounting surface. Inspect crankshaft keyway for damage. Clean camshaft journals and verify camshaft endplay is within specification (0.001-0.006 inch). Inspect camshaft lobes for wear.
   ℹ️Any scoring or damage to crankshaft or camshaft surfaces requires component replacement before proceeding.
10. 10

    Install new oil pump and crankshaft components
    Install new oil pump with new gasket, torque bolts to specification. Install new crankshaft sprocket, ensuring keyway is properly aligned. Install new idler sprocket and torque bolt to specification. Verify all sprockets rotate freely.
11. 11

    Install new timing chains and guides
    Install new fixed chain guides and torque bolts to specification. Install new timing chains over crankshaft sprocket, routing through guides according to kit instructions. Install new camshaft sprockets and new cam phasers, aligning timing marks precisely as documented in step 4. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to cam phaser bolts. Hold camshafts with holding tool and torque cam phaser bolts, then camshaft sprocket bolts to specification.
    ⚠️Verify all timing marks align exactly as per factory specification before proceeding. Take reference photos and compare.
    Torque spec

    Timing chain guide bolts12 Nm (106 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install timing chain tensioners
    Compress new timing chain tensioners using tensioner compression tool or bench vise. Install retaining pin or clip to hold tensioners in compressed position. Install tensioners into engine block bores with retaining pins still installed. Torque tensioner bolts to specification. Do not remove retaining pins yet.
    ⚠Tensioners must remain pinned until timing cover is installed and engine is ready for initial rotation.
    Torque spec

    Primary timing chain tensioner bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install timing cover and front seal
    Install new crankshaft front seal into timing cover using seal driver. Apply thin bead of RTV silicone to timing cover mating surface at engine block-to-oil pan junctions. Position new timing cover gasket. Install timing cover, ensuring it seats properly on alignment dowels. Install timing cover bolts finger-tight, then torque in proper sequence: 10mm bolts first, then 8mm, then 6mm bolts.
14. 14

    Release tensioners and verify timing
    Remove tensioner retaining pins through timing cover access holes to release chain tension. Manually rotate crankshaft two complete revolutions clockwise using crankshaft pulley bolt. Verify all timing marks realign at TDC. Check that chains have proper tension and no slack. If timing marks do not align, remove cover and repeat timing chain installation.
    ⚠️If resistance is felt while rotating engine or timing marks do not realign, STOP immediately. Disassemble and verify correct installation.
15. 15

    Reinstall crankshaft pulley and front accessories
    Install crankshaft harmonic balancer onto crankshaft nose, ensuring proper seating. Install new crankshaft pulley bolt and torque to specification using flywheel holding tool. Reinstall alternator bracket and alternator. Reinstall A/C compressor. Reinstall power steering pump. Reinstall serpentine belt tensioner and drive belt.
    Torque spec

    Crankshaft pulley bolt (M16, tighten then +90°)100 Nm (74 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Install new valve cover gaskets on both banks with light coating of RTV at camshaft cap corners
2. Install valve covers and torque bolts in proper sequence to specification
3. Reinstall ignition coils and reconnect all electrical connections
4. Raise front axle and reinstall axle mounting bolts
5. Reinstall front engine mount and torque through-bolt
6. Remove engine support fixture
7. Reinstall radiator, fan assembly, and fan shroud
8. Reinstall air intake system and engine cover
9. Refill cooling system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant to proper level, bleed air from system
10. Install new oil filter and refill engine with 7.5 quarts Motorcraft 5W-20 Synthetic Blend oil
11. Reconnect battery negative terminal

Verification

• Start engine and verify no oil or coolant leaks from timing cover, valve covers, or oil pan
• Listen for abnormal timing chain noise, rattling, or ticking during cold start and warm-up
• Verify proper engine idle and smooth operation throughout RPM range
• Check for diagnostic trouble codes related to cam timing or phaser operation
• Monitor oil pressure gauge to confirm proper oil pump function
• Test drive vehicle and verify normal acceleration and power delivery
• Recheck coolant and oil levels after test drive, top off as necessary
• Inspect again for any leaks after vehicle reaches operating temperature

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