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

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Timing chain kit (includes chains, guides, tensioners) × 1 — Use OEM Ford timing chain kit
• Left bank cam phaser × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Right bank cam phaser × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gaskets (left and right) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft front seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• VVT solenoid O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil and filter × 1 — Motorcraft FL-820-S filter
• Motorcraft threadlocker (blue) × 1 — Motorcraft TA-25
• Motorcraft RTV silicone × 1 — TA-357 or TA-362
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes for airbag system to discharge
3. Remove engine cover and air intake system completely
4. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter
5. Drain coolant from radiator and engine block drain plugs
6. Remove radiator hoses, coolant reservoir, and fan shroud assembly
7. Remove serpentine belt and tensioner
8. Remove power steering pump and set aside without disconnecting lines
9. Remove alternator and set aside
10. Remove A/C compressor and secure to frame without disconnecting lines
11. Support engine from above using engine support bar or hoist with load leveler
12. Remove front engine mount through-bolt to allow engine tilt
13. Label and disconnect all ignition coils and spark plug wires
14. Remove all spark plugs to reduce compression resistance
15. Label and photograph all vacuum lines, electrical connectors, and sensor positions before removal

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove valve covers and accessory components
   Remove both valve covers by loosening bolts in reverse sequence. Remove VVT solenoids from both banks. Remove crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensors from both banks. Tag sensors for correct reinstallation position.
2. 2

   Remove crankshaft pulley and harmonic balancer
   Rotate engine to TDC on cylinder #1 using crankshaft bolt. Install crankshaft holding tool or use breaker bar against frame to prevent rotation. Remove crankshaft pulley bolt (typically requires impact wrench or very long breaker bar). Remove harmonic balancer using appropriate puller - do not pry or hammer. Mark balancer orientation for reinstallation.
   ⚠Verify crankshaft bolt specification - some model years use torque-to-yield (TTY) bolts that must be replaced. Do not reuse TTY bolts.
3. 3

   Remove front timing cover
   Remove all timing cover bolts - there are three different sizes (6mm, 8mm, and 10mm). Note bolt locations as they are different lengths. Carefully remove timing cover - it may require light tapping with soft mallet. Do not pry against sealing surfaces. Remove and discard front crankshaft seal from cover.
   Torque spec

   Timing Cover Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Verify engine timing and mark positions
   With timing cover removed, verify engine is at TDC cylinder #1 (both intake and exhaust lobes on #1 cylinder pointing upward, crankshaft keyway at 12 o'clock). Verify all four cam sprocket timing marks align with cylinder head surfaces. Take multiple photographs and mark sprocket positions with paint marker. Mark chain-to-sprocket relationship on all four cam sprockets and both crankshaft sprockets.
   ⚠️Do NOT proceed if timing marks do not align correctly. Engine may have jumped time and require inspection before disassembly.
5. 5

   Remove primary timing chain tensioners and chains
   Remove both primary timing chain tensioners by removing tensioner bolts. Remove both primary chain guides. Remove both primary timing chains from crankshaft sprockets and intermediate sprockets. Note the direction chains were installed - outside edge should have manufacturer marks visible.
   Torque spec

   Timing Chain Tensioner25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove cam phasers and secondary chains
   Hold each camshaft stationary using wrench on camshaft hex (located behind cam sprocket). Remove cam phaser bolts. Remove all four cam phasers - these integrate the cam sprocket and VVT mechanism. Remove both secondary timing chains from intermediate sprockets. Remove secondary chain tensioners and guides.
   ⚠Do not allow camshafts to rotate once phasers are removed. Use cam holding tool or wire camshafts together to prevent rotation.
   Torque spec

   Timing Chain Tensioner25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove crankshaft sprockets and intermediate sprockets
   Remove both crankshaft timing sprockets - they should slide off crankshaft. Remove intermediate sprocket bolts and remove both intermediate sprockets. Inspect all sprockets for wear, scoring, or damaged teeth. Replace if any damage is found.
8. 8

   Inspect and clean all components
   Thoroughly inspect all timing components for wear. Check cam lobes for scoring or wear. Inspect cylinder head timing chain guide rails for wear grooves - replace if grooves exceed 1mm depth. Clean all gasket surfaces on engine block and timing cover using plastic scraper. Clean all RTV from block-to-oil pan junction and block-to-cylinder head junctions. Spray clean all bolt holes.
   ℹ️Ford TSB 15-0018 addresses timing chain noise - verify all updated parts are used in replacement kit including revised tensioners and guides.
9. 9

   Install new intermediate sprockets and crankshaft sprockets
   Install both intermediate sprockets with new bolts. Torque intermediate sprocket bolts to specification. Install both crankshaft sprockets onto crankshaft - ensure sprockets are fully seated and timing marks face outward. Rotate crankshaft to TDC position with keyway at 12 o'clock.
10. 10

    Install secondary timing chains and guides
    Install new secondary chain guides and torque bolts to specification. Compress new secondary chain tensioners and install retaining pins (paper clips work well). Install secondary tensioners and torque bolts. Route new secondary chains around intermediate sprockets according to service manual - ensure copper links align with marks on intermediate sprockets.
    Torque spec

    Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Tensioner25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install cam phasers
    Position new cam phasers onto camshafts ensuring secondary chains engage phaser teeth. Verify timing marks on phasers align with cylinder head surfaces. Apply blue threadlocker to cam phaser bolts. Hold camshaft stationary using wrench on hex. Install and torque cam phaser bolts to specification in correct sequence per service manual.
    ⚠Cam phasers must be installed in neutral/mid position. Do not force phasers onto camshafts - they should install easily when properly aligned.
12. 12

    Install primary timing chains and components
    Install new primary chain guides and torque bolts to specification. Route primary chains around crankshaft sprockets, up around intermediate sprockets. Ensure copper-colored or marked links align with timing marks on all sprockets. Verify all timing marks align correctly before proceeding. Compress primary chain tensioners and install retaining pins. Install primary tensioners and torque bolts.
    ⚠️Triple-check all timing marks before installing tensioners. Left bank and right bank chains route differently - verify correct routing per service manual diagrams.
    Torque spec

    Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Tensioner25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Release tensioners and verify timing
    Release all four timing chain tensioner pins by gently pulling them out - tensioners will automatically tension chains. Rotate crankshaft two complete revolutions clockwise (viewed from front). Verify engine returns to TDC with all timing marks properly aligned. If marks do not align, remove chains and repeat installation. Do not start engine with incorrect timing.
    ⚠️If timing marks do not align after two rotations, do NOT proceed. Disassemble and reinstall timing components correctly.
14. 14

    Install new front crankshaft seal and timing cover
    Install new front crankshaft seal into timing cover using seal driver - seal should be flush with cover surface. Clean timing cover gasket surface thoroughly. Apply 3mm bead of RTV silicone to block-to-oil pan junction and block-to-cylinder head junctions where timing cover mates. Install new timing cover gasket. Install timing cover ensuring gasket stays in place. Install all timing cover bolts finger-tight, then torque in sequence: 6mm bolts first, then 8mm, then 10mm bolts.
    ℹ️Allow RTV silicone to cure for at least 30 minutes before adding fluids or starting engine.
    Torque spec

    Timing Cover Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Install crankshaft pulley and reassemble components
    Install harmonic balancer onto crankshaft in original orientation. Install crankshaft pulley bolt. If bolt is TTY type, install new bolt. Torque crankshaft pulley bolt to specification. Install all sensors (crankshaft position, camshaft position) and torque to specification. Install VVT solenoids with new O-rings and torque to specification. Clean valve cover gasket surfaces and install new gaskets. Install valve covers and torque bolts in sequence.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall all accessory components in reverse order of removal: A/C compressor, alternator, power steering pump
2. Install new serpentine belt and verify proper routing
3. Reinstall all spark plugs using anti-seize compound on threads
4. Reinstall ignition coils and connect all electrical connectors per photographs
5. Reinstall front engine mount and torque through-bolt
6. Reinstall cooling system components: fan shroud, radiator hoses, coolant reservoir
7. Refill cooling system with fresh Motorcraft Orange coolant - bleed air from system
8. Install new oil filter and refill engine with 7.5 quarts Motorcraft 5W-20 oil
9. Reinstall air intake system and engine cover
10. Reconnect negative battery cable

Verification

• With ignition off, cycle key to ON position several times to prime oil system - watch oil pressure gauge
• Perform camshaft position variation relearn procedure using Ford IDS scan tool if available
• Start engine and verify oil pressure builds immediately - if not, shut down and investigate
• Listen for any abnormal timing chain noise, phaser rattle, or valve noise - should be quiet
• Allow engine to idle and warm to operating temperature - monitor for leaks around timing cover and valve covers
• Verify no check engine lights or timing-related diagnostic codes
• Road test vehicle under various loads and RPM ranges - verify smooth operation and no rattles
• Check oil level after test drive and top off if needed
• Re-check all fluid levels after 50-100 miles of driving
• Monitor for oil leaks at timing cover over next several days of operation

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