Camshaft Position Sensor

This procedure covers the replacement of the camshaft position sensor on the 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, requiring removal of the valve cover to access the sensor.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Camshaft Position Sensor × 1 — Use OEM Motorcraft DY1161 or equivalent
• Valve Cover Gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification (driver or passenger side specific)
• Ignition Coil Bolt Grommets (if damaged) × 8 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine to cool completely (minimum 2 hours after operation)
3. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 2 minutes for systems to power down
4. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on front edge, then lifting off
5. Identify which bank has the failed sensor (driver side Bank 1 or passenger side Bank 2) using diagnostic trouble code

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove ignition coils
   Disconnect the electrical connectors from all four ignition coils on the affected bank by pressing the release tab and pulling straight up. Remove the single 8mm bolt from each coil, then pull the coils straight up and out of the valve cover. Set aside in order to maintain position reference.
2. 2

   Disconnect PCV and breather hoses
   Locate the PCV hose connection on the passenger side rear of the valve cover (driver bank) or driver side rear (passenger bank). Squeeze the quick-disconnect fitting and pull to separate. Disconnect any breather hoses attached to the valve cover by releasing the clamps or quick-disconnect fittings.
3. 3

   Disconnect wiring harness brackets
   Remove any wiring harness brackets or clips attached to the valve cover studs. Note their positions for reinstallation. On some models, a ground wire may be attached to one of the valve cover bolts - mark its location.
4. 4

   Remove valve cover bolts
   Remove all thirteen 10mm valve cover bolts in a crisscross pattern starting from the outside edges and working toward the center. Keep bolts organized as some may have different lengths. Carefully lift the valve cover straight up to avoid damaging the gasket surface. If stuck, gently tap with a rubber mallet - do not pry.
5. 5

   Remove old valve cover gasket
   Remove the old valve cover gasket from both the valve cover and cylinder head surfaces. Use a plastic gasket scraper to carefully clean all gasket material from both mating surfaces. Clean surfaces thoroughly with brake cleaner and wipe dry with shop rags. Inspect for any damage or warping.
   ⚠Do not use metal scrapers on aluminum surfaces as this will cause damage and potential oil leaks.
   Torque spec

   Gasket Surface Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Locate and access camshaft position sensor
   With the valve cover removed, locate the camshaft position sensor mounted on the front of the cylinder head, near the timing chain area. The sensor will have an electrical connector attached. Press the release tab on the electrical connector and carefully disconnect it from the sensor.
7. 7

   Remove camshaft position sensor
   Remove the single 10mm bolt securing the camshaft position sensor to the cylinder head. Carefully wiggle and pull the sensor straight out from the head. There may be an O-ring seal on the sensor - ensure it comes out with the sensor and does not remain in the bore.
8. 8

   Prepare and install new sensor
   Inspect the new camshaft position sensor to ensure it has a new O-ring installed. Lightly lubricate the O-ring with clean engine oil. Insert the new sensor straight into the bore in the cylinder head, ensuring proper alignment with the mounting hole. Push firmly until fully seated.
9. 9

   Secure camshaft position sensor
   Install the camshaft position sensor retaining bolt and tighten to specification using a torque wrench. Reconnect the electrical connector to the sensor, ensuring it clicks firmly into place.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install new valve cover gasket
    Position the new valve cover gasket onto the valve cover. Most gaskets have integrated grommets that snap into the valve cover bolt holes to hold the gasket in place during installation. Ensure all grommets are properly seated and the gasket is positioned correctly around the entire perimeter.
11. 11

    Reinstall valve cover
    Carefully lower the valve cover with new gasket onto the cylinder head, ensuring proper alignment with all bolt holes. Start all thirteen valve cover bolts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Tighten the valve cover bolts in the specified sequence (center outward pattern) to the proper torque specification.
    ⚠Follow the factory tightening sequence to prevent gasket damage and ensure even sealing. Tighten in multiple passes if necessary, working up to final torque.
    Torque spec

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

    Reconnect PCV and breather system
    Reconnect the PCV hose to the valve cover fitting, ensuring it clicks or seats fully. Reconnect any breather hoses that were removed. Reinstall any wiring harness brackets or ground wires to their original positions on the valve cover studs.
13. 13

    Reinstall ignition coils
    Apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the inside of each ignition coil boot. Install each ignition coil back into its original position in the valve cover, pushing down firmly until fully seated. Install and hand-tighten the 8mm retaining bolt for each coil. Reconnect all ignition coil electrical connectors, ensuring they click into place.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the engine cover by aligning the rear tabs first, then pressing down on the front until it clicks into place
2. Reconnect the negative battery cable
3. Double-check that all electrical connectors are fully seated and all hoses are properly reconnected

Verification

• Start the engine and verify it runs smoothly without misfires or rough idle
• Check for any oil leaks around the valve cover perimeter while engine is running
• Use an OBD-II scanner to verify the camshaft position sensor code has cleared and no new codes are present
• Perform a test drive to confirm proper engine operation under various loads
• Recheck valve cover for leaks after the engine has reached operating temperature and cooled down

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

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