This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) actuators (cam phasers) on the 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, requiring timing cover removal and timing chain access.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• VVT actuator (cam phaser) - intake × 1 — Motorcraft 3R2Z-6A257-DA or equivalent
• VVT actuator (cam phaser) - exhaust × 1 — Motorcraft 3R2Z-6A257-DA or equivalent
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gaskets × 2 — Use OEM specification
• VVT solenoid O-rings × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft front seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• RTV silicone sealant × 1 — Motorcraft TA-31 or equivalent

Fluids

• Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 7.5 qt
• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 2 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold before beginning work
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes for system capacitor discharge
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on all four corners
4. Drain engine oil completely into appropriate container
5. Drain coolant from radiator petcock and lower radiator hose
6. Place vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
7. Document any DTCs with scan tool before beginning work

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove accessory drive belt and components
   Rotate belt tensioner clockwise using a 1/2 inch breaker bar and remove serpentine belt. Remove alternator mounting bolts and position alternator aside without disconnecting wiring. Remove power steering pump mounting bolts and position aside without disconnecting lines. Remove A/C compressor mounting bolts and secure compressor to frame without disconnecting refrigerant lines.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove crankshaft pulley
   Remove the four bolts securing the crankshaft pulley to the harmonic balancer. Use crankshaft holding tool or have assistant hold breaker bar against frame to prevent rotation. Remove center crankshaft bolt (this is often a torque-to-yield bolt). Remove harmonic balancer using puller if necessary - do not pry or hammer.
   ⚠Do not use impact tools on crankshaft bolt without verifying it is not a torque-to-yield fastener. Check service information for your specific model year.
   Torque spec

   Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove valve covers
   Disconnect ignition coil electrical connectors on both banks. Remove coil mounting bolts and pull coils from spark plug wells. Label coil positions for reinstallation. Disconnect PCV hoses and breather tubes from valve covers. Remove valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (work from outside toward center). Carefully lift valve covers off - they may be sealed with RTV.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove timing cover
   Disconnect VVT solenoid electrical connectors on all four solenoids (two per bank). Remove water pump pulley bolts. Remove coolant bypass tube and thermostat housing if obstructing access. Remove all timing cover bolts (there are approximately 15-18 bolts of varying lengths - note locations). Use plastic scraper to carefully separate timing cover from block. Remove old gasket material from both surfaces.
   ⚠Timing cover bolts are different lengths. Tag or photograph bolt positions during removal to ensure correct reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

   VVT Solenoid Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Verify and document timing alignment
   Rotate crankshaft clockwise using socket on crankshaft snout until timing marks align: crankshaft keyway at 12 o'clock, both camshaft keyways pointing inward toward center of engine. Take multiple clear photos of chain alignment marks on camshaft and crankshaft sprockets. Install timing pins through cylinder heads into camshaft slots to lock camshafts in TDC position. Verify crankshaft is at TDC cylinder 1 by checking piston position through spark plug hole if necessary.
6. 6

   Remove timing chain tensioners
   Compress timing chain tensioners using small screwdriver through oil feed hole and insert retaining pin or paperclip to hold in compressed position. Remove tensioner mounting bolts. Remove both left and right bank tensioners. Remove timing chain guides if accessing rear cam phasers. Note position of chain guides for reinstallation.
   ⚠Tensioners are spring-loaded. Ensure they are fully compressed and pinned before removing bolts.
   Torque spec

   Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove VVT actuators (cam phasers)
   Hold camshaft steady using wrench on camshaft hex (located behind the cam phaser). Remove cam phaser mounting bolt. The intake cam phasers are on the forward position, exhaust on the rear position of each cylinder head. Carefully pull cam phaser off camshaft while supporting timing chain. Use zip ties or wire to support timing chain to prevent it from falling into timing cover cavity. Mark and remove both intake and exhaust phasers from affected bank(s).
   ⚠Do not allow timing chain to fall into engine. Secure chain with wire or zip ties during phaser removal.
   ℹ️If replacing phasers on both banks, complete one bank entirely before starting the second to avoid confusion.
   Torque spec

   Cam Phaser Bolt65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Inspect and prepare new VVT actuators
   Inspect new cam phasers to ensure they are in the locked (park) position - they should not rotate freely. If not locked, follow manufacturer instructions to lock them. Inspect timing chain for wear, stretching, or damage - replace if any issues found. Inspect camshaft and crankshaft sprockets for wear. Clean camshaft mounting surfaces thoroughly with clean shop towels and brake cleaner.
9. 9

   Install new VVT actuators
   Apply medium-strength threadlocker to cam phaser bolt threads. Align timing chain with marks on new cam phaser. Slide cam phaser onto camshaft while holding timing chain in position. Ensure camshaft dowel pin engages phaser properly. Hold camshaft steady with wrench on hex and hand-thread cam phaser bolt. Torque cam phaser bolt to specification while holding camshaft stationary. Repeat for all cam phasers being replaced. Verify all timing marks are still aligned after installation.
   ⚠Threadlocker must be applied to cam phaser bolts as specified to prevent loosening.
   Torque spec

   Cam Phaser Bolt65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall timing chain tensioners and guides
    Install timing chain guides in original positions. Install timing chain tensioners with retaining pins still in place to keep them compressed. Torque tensioner bolts to specification. Verify timing alignment one final time before removing timing pins from camshafts. Remove retaining pins from tensioners to apply tension to chain. Manually rotate crankshaft two complete revolutions clockwise and verify timing marks realign properly.
    ⚠️This is the critical verification step. If timing marks do not realign after two full rotations, do not proceed. Disassemble and correct timing alignment.
    Torque spec

    Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install timing cover
    Clean all gasket surfaces on engine block and timing cover thoroughly with plastic scraper and brake cleaner. Apply small beads of RTV silicone to corners where oil pan meets engine block (approximately 5mm bead). Install new timing cover gasket - do not use additional RTV unless specified. Position timing cover carefully and install all bolts hand-tight first. Torque timing cover bolts in sequence (typically start at center and work outward in crisscross pattern) to specification. Install new crankshaft front seal if removed.
    ℹ️Allow RTV to cure for at least 30 minutes before adding fluids or starting engine.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall crankshaft pulley and accessories
    Install harmonic balancer onto crankshaft - it should slide on smoothly. Install crankshaft pulley and torque center bolt to specification (verify if torque-to-yield or reusable). Install crankshaft pulley mounting bolts if equipped. Reinstall A/C compressor, power steering pump, and alternator. Torque all mounting bolts to specification. Reinstall serpentine belt by rotating tensioner and routing belt per underhood diagram.
    Torque spec

    Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall valve covers
    Install new valve cover gaskets - ensure they seat properly in valve cover grooves. Apply small dab of RTV at front corners where timing cover meets cylinder head if specified. Position valve covers and install bolts hand-tight. Torque valve cover bolts in sequence (typically start at center and alternate side-to-side working outward) to specification. Do not overtighten. Reinstall ignition coils in original positions and torque mounting bolts. Connect coil electrical connectors. Reconnect PCV and breather hoses.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

    Electrical Connector Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Refill fluids and final checks
    Refill engine with 7.5 quarts of Motorcraft 0W-20 full synthetic oil. Refill coolant system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant (approximately 16 quarts total system capacity - you may have lost 2 quarts during this procedure). Reconnect negative battery cable. Double-check that all electrical connections have been reconnected. Verify no tools or parts have been left in engine bay.

Reassembly

1. All fasteners should be torqued in the sequences specified, typically working from center outward
2. Replace all gaskets and seals - do not reuse old timing cover or valve cover gaskets
3. New cam phaser bolts are recommended if they are torque-to-yield - verify with service information
4. Timing alignment is critical - never proceed if marks do not align properly after test rotation

Verification

• Start engine and verify it runs smoothly without unusual noises such as rattling or knocking from timing chain area
• Check for oil leaks at valve covers and timing cover after engine reaches operating temperature
• Check for coolant leaks at timing cover and water pump connections
• Verify check engine light does not illuminate and scan for VVT-related codes (P0010, P0011, P0020, P0021, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019)
• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth acceleration and proper engine response
• Monitor oil pressure gauge during test drive - should remain in normal range
• Recheck oil and coolant levels after test drive and top off if necessary
• Clear any adaptive timing values using scan tool and allow PCM to relearn VVT parameters through several drive cycles

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