Valve Cover Gasket - Single

This procedure covers replacement of a single valve cover gasket on the 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, including removal of ignition coils, spark plugs, and associated components.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Valve cover gasket (driver or passenger side) × 1 — Use OEM Ford or equivalent
• Spark plug tube seals × 4 — Set of 4 per side
• Valve cover bolt grommets × 10 — Typically included with gasket kit

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine to cool completely (minimum 2 hours)
3. Disconnect negative battery terminal to prevent accidental starter engagement
4. Ensure adequate lighting and access to the engine bay
5. Have oil absorbent material ready in case of minor spillage

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove engine cover and air intake components
   Remove the plastic engine cover by pulling upward on the four corners to release the grommets. If working on the passenger side, disconnect the air intake tube from the throttle body by loosening the clamp and removing any electrical connectors attached to the intake system. Move components aside for access.
2. 2

   Disconnect electrical connectors
   Locate all electrical connectors on the valve cover being serviced. This includes the ignition coil connectors (4 per side) and any sensors mounted on or near the valve cover. Press the release tabs and carefully disconnect each connector. Note the routing of wiring harnesses for reinstallation.
3. 3

   Remove ignition coils
   Remove the bolt securing each ignition coil using a 8mm socket. There are four coils per valve cover. Carefully pull each coil straight up with a twisting motion to break the seal. Inspect the coil boots for damage or oil contamination.
   ⚠Do not pull on the wiring harness to remove coils. Use only the coil body to avoid damaging connectors.
4. 4

   Remove spark plugs
   Using a spark plug socket with extension, remove all four spark plugs from the cylinder head. Keep plugs in order if you plan to inspect them. Check for oil in the spark plug wells, which indicates failed tube seals. Use compressed air or a clean rag to remove any debris from the spark plug tubes before proceeding.
   ⚠Do not allow debris to fall into the open spark plug holes. Cover them with clean rags if stopping work.
5. 5

   Disconnect PCV and breather hoses
   Locate the PCV hose and any breather hoses connected to the valve cover. On the passenger side, disconnect the PCV hose from the valve cover. On the driver side, disconnect the breather tube. Use a twisting motion to break the seal before pulling to prevent damage to the fittings.
6. 6

   Remove valve cover bolts
   Using a 10mm socket, remove all valve cover bolts in a reverse pattern from the center outward. There are typically 10 bolts per cover. Keep bolts organized as they may have different lengths. Note the locations of any stud bolts versus regular bolts.
   ℹ️Some bolts may have integrated grommets or seals. Inspect and replace if damaged or flattened.
7. 7

   Remove valve cover
   Gently tap the valve cover with a rubber mallet to break the gasket seal. Carefully lift the valve cover straight up to avoid disturbing the spark plug tube seals if they are not being replaced. If tube seals come out with the cover, they must be replaced.
8. 8

   Remove old spark plug tube seals
   Using a spark plug tube seal removal tool or needle-nose pliers, carefully extract all four spark plug tube seals from the cylinder head. These are press-fit and may require some effort. Inspect the tubes in the head for any damage or debris.
9. 9

   Clean mating surfaces
   Using a plastic gasket scraper and brake cleaner, thoroughly clean the valve cover and cylinder head mating surfaces. Remove all old gasket material and oil residue. The surfaces must be completely clean and dry for proper gasket sealing. Inspect both surfaces for warping or damage. Stuff clean rags into the valve train area to prevent debris from entering the engine.
   ⚠Never use metal scrapers or abrasive pads on aluminum surfaces. Scratches and gouges will prevent proper sealing.
10. 10

    Install new spark plug tube seals
    Lightly oil the outer diameter of the new spark plug tube seals with clean engine oil. Position each seal squarely over its tube in the cylinder head. Using a spark plug tube seal installer or a deep socket of appropriate size, press each seal firmly into place until it bottoms out. Ensure seals are fully seated and level.
    Torque spec

    Spark Plug Tube Seals12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install new valve cover gasket
    Position the new valve cover gasket onto the valve cover (not the head). Ensure the gasket is properly seated in the valve cover groove and all bolt holes are aligned. Install new valve cover bolt grommets if included with the gasket kit. Do not use any sealant or RTV unless specifically required by the gasket manufacturer.
    ℹ️Most modern Coyote valve cover gaskets do not require additional sealant. Follow gasket manufacturer instructions.
12. 12

    Install valve cover
    Carefully position the valve cover with gasket onto the cylinder head, aligning all bolt holes and ensuring the spark plug tube seals mate properly with the cover. Start all valve cover bolts by hand to ensure proper threading. Tighten the bolts in a spiral pattern from the center outward in two stages: first to 5 ft-lb, then to final specification of 7 ft-lb (10 Nm).
    ⚠Do not over-tighten valve cover bolts. Excessive torque will distort the cover and cause oil leaks.
    Torque spec

    Valve Cover Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall spark plugs
    Apply a small amount of anti-seize compound to the spark plug threads (avoid getting any on the electrodes). Thread each spark plug by hand to prevent cross-threading, then tighten to specification using the torque wrench. For aluminum heads, the torque specification is 15 ft-lb (20 Nm).
    ⚠Cross-threading spark plugs in aluminum heads will cause expensive damage. Always start threads by hand.
14. 14

    Reinstall ignition coils
    Apply a thin coat of dielectric grease to the inside of each ignition coil boot. Push each coil firmly into its spark plug tube until it seats completely. Install and tighten the ignition coil bolts to 6 ft-lb (8 Nm). Reconnect all ignition coil electrical connectors with a firm push until they click into place.
15. 15

    Reconnect hoses and final assembly
    Reconnect the PCV hose and breather tubes to the valve cover, ensuring they are fully seated. Reconnect any other electrical connectors that were disconnected. If the air intake was removed, reinstall it and tighten all clamps. Reinstall the engine cover by pressing firmly on each mounting point. Reconnect the negative battery terminal.

Reassembly

1. Double-check that all electrical connectors are firmly seated and locked
2. Verify all vacuum and breather hoses are properly connected
3. Ensure no tools or rags were left in the engine bay
4. Confirm valve cover bolts were torqued in proper sequence to specification

Verification

• Start the engine and allow it to idle for several minutes while checking for oil leaks around the valve cover perimeter
• Check for any unusual noises or misfires that could indicate improperly seated ignition coils
• Verify that no check engine lights or misfire codes are present after test drive
• After the first heat cycle, re-check valve cover bolts for proper torque and re-inspect for leaks after 50-100 miles of operation

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