Camshaft R&R

This procedure covers removal and replacement of the camshafts on the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, including timing chain service and valve train disassembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Camshaft(s) - bank specific × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gaskets (left and right) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing chain tensioners (primary and secondary) × 3 — Use OEM specification
• VVT solenoid O-rings × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Camshaft position sensor O-rings × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil and filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Coolant (as needed for topping off) × 1 — Motorcraft Orange

Fluids

• Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 6 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 including intercooler piping
4. Drain engine oil and coolant into appropriate containers
5. Remove radiator upper hose and coolant expansion tank for access
6. Support engine from above using engine support fixture or carefully positioned hoist
7. Label all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and components with tape for correct reassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove Valve Covers and Accessories
   Disconnect ignition coils and fuel injector harness connectors. Remove ignition coils. Disconnect VVT solenoid connectors and camshaft position sensor connectors on both banks. Remove PCV hoses and breather tubes. Remove valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence and carefully lift off valve covers. Inspect gasket surfaces for damage.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove Front Engine Accessories and Harmonic Balancer
   Remove serpentine belt. Remove power steering pump and set aside without disconnecting lines. Remove AC compressor mounting bolts and secure compressor out of the way. Use harmonic balancer puller to remove crankshaft pulley/harmonic balancer. Do not use impact method unless absolutely necessary as this can damage the crankshaft.
   Torque spec

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

   Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove Timing Cover
   Remove crankshaft position sensor. Disconnect any remaining sensors or wiring attached to timing cover. Remove timing cover bolts noting locations of different size bolts (8mm and 10mm). Carefully separate timing cover from engine block using plastic pry tools if needed. Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly.
   ⚠Do not damage timing cover mating surfaces. Any nicks or gouges will cause oil leaks.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)

   Crankshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Lock Timing Components and Mark Timing
   Rotate crankshaft to TDC position for cylinder #1 (crankshaft keyway at 12 o'clock). Verify all four camshaft timing marks align with their respective marks on cylinder heads and cam caps. Take clear photographs of timing mark alignment. Install timing chain locking pins or suitable equivalent through holes in camshaft phasers to lock timing position. Mark timing chain to all sprockets with paint pen.
   ⚠️Verify timing marks multiple times before proceeding. Incorrect timing will destroy engine on startup.
5. 5

   Remove Timing Chain Tensioners and Guides
   Remove both primary timing chain tensioners by first removing bolts. Remove secondary timing chain tensioners (one per bank). Note orientation and position of all timing chain guides. Remove timing chain guide bolts and guides. Keep all components organized by bank and position.
   ⚠Timing chain tensioners are spring-loaded. Control removal to prevent them from launching.
   Torque spec

   Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

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

   Remove Camshaft Phasers and Timing Chains
   Hold each camshaft stationary using wrench on hex section near rear of cam. Remove cam phaser bolts from all four camshafts. Carefully lift cam phasers off camshaft snouts. Remove primary timing chains and secondary timing chains, keeping chains separated and labeled by bank. Remove timing chain idler sprocket if required for access.
   Torque spec

   Cam Phaser Bolt65 Nm (48 lb-ft)

   Timing Chain Idler Sprocket25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove Rocker Arms and VVT Solenoids
   Remove VVT solenoids from cylinder heads. Remove rocker arm shaft bolts in reverse tightening sequence working from outside toward center. Carefully lift rocker arm shafts with rocker arms attached as an assembly. Place on clean workspace and photograph orientation. Mark rocker arm positions if disassembling.
   ℹ️Rocker arms and shafts must be reinstalled in exact same positions. Keep organized.
   Torque spec

   VVT Solenoid Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

   Rocker Arm Shaft Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove Camshaft Position Sensors and Bearing Caps
   Remove camshaft position sensors from rear of cylinder heads. Remove camshaft bearing cap bolts in reverse tightening sequence (from outside toward center). Caps are numbered and must be returned to original positions. Gradually loosen bolts in multiple passes to prevent cam distortion. Lift bearing caps off and place in order.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

   Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts9 Nm (7 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove Camshafts and Inspect
   Carefully lift camshafts straight up and out of cylinder heads. Keep intake and exhaust camshafts separated and labeled by bank. Inspect camshaft lobes for scoring, pitting, or wear. Inspect bearing journals for damage. Measure cam lobe height and journal diameter with micrometer and compare to specifications. Inspect bearing cap journals in cylinder head for damage or scoring.
   ℹ️Do not mix camshafts between banks or intake/exhaust positions. Each cam is machined for its specific location.
10. 10

    Clean and Prepare for Installation
    Thoroughly clean all camshaft bearing surfaces in cylinder heads using lint-free towels and appropriate solvent. Clean new or replacement camshaft bearing journals. Inspect new camshafts for any shipping damage. Lubricate all camshaft bearing journals and lobes with clean engine assembly lube or fresh engine oil. Apply oil to bearing cap journals in cylinder head.
    ⚠Any debris left in bearing surfaces will cause immediate cam seizure. Cleanliness is critical.
11. 11

    Install Camshafts and Bearing Caps
    Carefully lower camshafts into their respective positions in cylinder heads, ensuring intake and exhaust cams are in correct locations. Position camshaft bearing caps in their numbered positions with arrows pointing toward front of engine. Install bearing cap bolts finger tight. Tighten camshaft bearing cap bolts in sequence from center caps outward in at least 3 passes to final torque specification. Rotate camshafts by hand to verify free movement.
    ⚠Tightening bearing caps out of sequence or in single pass will bend camshaft and cause binding.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts9 Nm (7 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install Camshaft Position Sensors and Rocker Arms
    Install camshaft position sensors with new O-rings to rear of cylinder heads. Install rocker arm shaft assemblies in their original positions. Ensure rocker arms align properly with valve stem tips. Tighten rocker arm shaft bolts evenly in sequence from center outward. Verify all rocker arms move freely and contact valve stems properly.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

    Rocker Arm Shaft Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install VVT Solenoids and Cam Phasers
    Install VVT solenoids with new O-rings into cylinder heads. Rotate camshafts to align timing marks with marks on cylinder heads. Install cam phasers onto camshaft snouts ensuring alignment dowels engage properly. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to cam phaser bolts. Hold each camshaft stationary using wrench on hex section and tighten phaser bolts to specification.
    ⚠Cam phasers must be fully seated before tightening bolts. Partial engagement will strip threads.
    Torque spec

    VVT Solenoid Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

    Cam Phaser Bolt65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install Timing Chains and Components
    Verify crankshaft is still at TDC and all camshaft timing marks are aligned. Install timing chain idler sprocket if removed. Route primary timing chains over crankshaft sprocket and cam phasers according to timing marks made during removal. Install secondary timing chains. Install timing chain guides and tighten guide bolts. Compress timing chain tensioners and install retaining pins. Install tensioners and tighten bolts. Carefully remove tensioner retaining pins to activate tensioners. Rotate crankshaft two complete revolutions by hand and verify all timing marks realign perfectly.
    ⚠️If timing marks do not realign after two crankshaft revolutions, timing is incorrect. Do not proceed.
    Torque spec

    Timing Chain Idler Sprocket25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Install Timing Cover and Reassemble Engine
    Install new timing cover gasket and position timing cover onto engine block. Install timing cover bolts in sequence, tightening 8mm bolts first followed by 10mm bolts. Install crankshaft position sensor. Install harmonic balancer onto crankshaft and tighten bolt to specification. Reinstall AC compressor and power steering pump. Install serpentine belt. Install valve covers with new gaskets, tightening bolts in sequence from center outward. Reinstall ignition coils, reconnect all sensors, and install PCV system. Reinstall air intake system and engine cover.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)

    Crankshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

    Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Refill engine with 6 quarts of Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic engine oil using new oil filter
2. Refill cooling system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant to proper level
3. Reconnect negative battery cable
4. Perform crankshaft position sensor relearn procedure using scan tool if required
5. Double-check all electrical connections, hoses, and hardware are properly installed

Verification

• Start engine and verify it runs smoothly without unusual noises, rattles, or knocking
• Monitor oil pressure gauge to ensure proper pressure is achieved within 5 seconds
• Check for oil leaks around valve covers and timing cover while engine is running
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify cooling system is functioning properly
• Perform road test and verify normal acceleration, idle quality, and absence of check engine light
• Use scan tool to verify all camshaft position sensors are reading correctly and VVT system is operating
• Recheck oil level after test drive and top off if needed
• Inspect all work areas for any leaks or loose components after 100 miles of operation

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