Replace the front crankshaft main seal on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5.0L Coyote V8 engine by removing the front timing cover and crankshaft pulley.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM Ford specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM Ford specification
• Engine oil filter × 1 — Motorcraft FL-500S or equivalent
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM Ford specification
• RTV silicone gasket maker × 1 — Motorcraft TA-31 or equivalent
• Coolant (if needed for top-off) × 1 — Motorcraft Orange Coolant

Fluids

• Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 7.5 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cool
2. Disconnect negative battery cable
3. Raise and secure vehicle on jack stands
4. Remove engine skid plate if equipped
5. Place drain pans under vehicle for oil and coolant

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain fluids and remove accessories
   Drain engine oil and coolant. Remove oil drain plug and allow oil to drain completely. Drain coolant from radiator drain valve. Remove the serpentine belt by rotating the tensioner clockwise. Remove the engine cooling fan assembly by disconnecting electrical connectors and removing mounting bolts. Remove the radiator upper hose and position aside.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove air intake and accessory components
   Remove the air intake tube and air filter housing. Disconnect any electrical connectors from sensors mounted on or near the timing cover. Remove the power steering pump mounting bolts and secure the pump aside without disconnecting hydraulic lines. Remove the alternator mounting bolts and position alternator aside, keeping electrical connections attached if possible.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove crankshaft pulley
   Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt using a breaker bar or impact wrench. Hold the crankshaft from rotating by placing the transmission in gear (manual) or using a strap wrench on the pulley. Once the bolt is removed, use a harmonic balancer puller to remove the crankshaft pulley from the crankshaft snout. Do not pry or hammer on the pulley as this can damage the crankshaft.
   ⚠Never use a jaw-type puller on the outer edge of the harmonic balancer. Use only a puller that bolts to the center hub.
   Torque spec

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove front oil pan bolts
   Remove only the front section oil pan bolts that secure the pan to the timing cover. There is no need to remove the entire oil pan for this procedure. Remove approximately 8-10 front bolts and slightly lower the front edge of the pan to provide clearance for timing cover removal.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect remaining timing cover connections
   Disconnect the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor electrical connector and remove the sensor mounting bolt. Remove any remaining electrical connectors, coolant hoses, or brackets attached to the timing cover. Label all connections for reassembly.
   Torque spec

   Sensor Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)

   Electrical Connector Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove timing cover bolts
   Remove all timing cover bolts. There are multiple bolt sizes: 8mm and 10mm bolts. Keep bolts organized by size and location. Note that some bolts may be hidden behind wiring harnesses or brackets. Carefully inspect the entire perimeter of the timing cover to ensure all fasteners are removed.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove timing cover
   Carefully pry the timing cover away from the engine block using a plastic pry tool at designated pry points. Do not pry against machined sealing surfaces. The cover may be sealed with RTV silicone and require gentle persuasion. Once loose, remove the timing cover completely and set aside on a clean workspace.
8. 8

   Remove old front main seal
   Using a seal removal tool or seal pick, carefully pry out the old front crankshaft seal from the timing cover. Work around the perimeter of the seal to avoid damaging the seal bore in the timing cover. Clean the seal bore thoroughly with a lint-free cloth and inspect for any damage or scoring.
   ⚠Do not scratch or gouge the seal bore surface as this will cause the new seal to leak.
9. 9

   Install new front main seal
   Lightly coat the outer edge of the new seal with clean engine oil. Position the seal squarely in the timing cover bore with the spring side facing inward (toward the engine). Use a front seal installation tool or appropriately sized socket to drive the seal evenly into the bore until it is fully seated and flush with the cover surface. Ensure the seal is not cocked or damaged during installation.
10. 10

    Clean and prepare timing cover mating surfaces
    Remove all old gasket material and RTV silicone from both the timing cover and engine block mating surfaces using a plastic gasket scraper. Clean surfaces with brake cleaner or gasket remover and wipe dry with a lint-free cloth. Inspect the crankshaft seal surface (snout) for any scoring, grooves, or damage. Clean and polish if necessary.
    ℹ️Any imperfections on the crankshaft seal surface will cause premature seal failure and leaks.
11. 11

    Install timing cover with new gasket
    Install the new timing cover gasket onto the engine block, aligning all bolt holes. Apply a small bead of RTV silicone at the junction where the oil pan meets the engine block (front corners). Position the timing cover onto the engine block, ensuring proper alignment with dowel pins. Hand-start all timing cover bolts before tightening.
    Torque spec

    Gasket Surface Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Torque timing cover bolts
    Tighten timing cover bolts in a crisscross pattern starting from the center and working outward. Torque 8mm bolts to specification first, then torque 10mm bolts to their specification. Follow the tightening sequence if available in the service manual to ensure even gasket compression and proper sealing.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall crankshaft pulley and front oil pan bolts
    Lightly oil the crankshaft snout and the inner lip of the new front seal. Carefully slide the harmonic balancer onto the crankshaft, ensuring it does not damage the new seal. Install the crankshaft pulley bolt and torque to specification (may require impact wrench). Reinstall the front oil pan bolts and torque to specification.
    ⚠Verify if the harmonic balancer bolt is torque-to-yield and requires replacement before reusing.
    Torque spec

    Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

    Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall sensors and accessories
    Reinstall the crankshaft position sensor and torque mounting bolt to specification. Reconnect all electrical connectors. Reinstall the alternator and power steering pump, torquing mounting bolts to specification. Reinstall radiator hose, cooling fan assembly, and serpentine belt. Reinstall air intake components.
    Torque spec

    Sensor Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)

    Electrical Connector Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Refill fluids and final checks
    Install new oil drain plug crush washer and torque drain plug to specification. Install new oil filter. Refill engine with 7.5 quarts of Motorcraft 0W-20 full synthetic oil. Refill cooling system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant to proper level. Reconnect negative battery cable. Lower vehicle from jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all electrical connectors are properly seated and secured
2. Verify serpentine belt is properly routed and tensioned
3. Double-check that all bolts have been torqued to specification
4. Ensure no tools or rags have been left in the engine compartment

Verification

• Start the engine and allow it to reach operating temperature while monitoring for leaks around the timing cover and front seal area
• Check oil pressure gauge for normal readings
• Inspect for any coolant leaks around timing cover and hose connections
• Verify no unusual noises from the front of the engine
• After initial run, shut off engine, wait 5 minutes, and recheck oil level
• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle for any oil drips after the first drive cycle

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