engine
Oil Pump
for 2021 Ford F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost · 4WD
Difficulty
Expert
Time
7.2 h
Tools
11
Steps
14
This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the oil pump on a 2021-2024 Ford F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, requiring front engine accessory removal and timing cover access.
Warnings
⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.
⚠️Allow engine to cool completely before beginning work. Hot oil and coolant can cause severe burns.
⚠The 3.5L EcoBoost is an interference engine. Incorrect timing chain alignment will cause catastrophic engine damage.
⚠Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes before beginning work to allow airbag system capacitors to discharge.
ℹ️This procedure requires engine support from above. Do not remove engine mounts without proper support in place.
Tools required
Torque wrench (10-60 Nm range)Essential
Socket set (metric)Essential
Engine hoist or support fixtureEssential
Oil drain pan (minimum 8 quart capacity)Essential
Crankshaft holding toolEssential
Timing chain alignment toolsEssential
Gasket scraper (plastic)
Brake cleaner and shop towels
Pry bar (plastic)
Jack and jack standsEssential
Oil filter wrench
Parts
- Oil pump assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil pump pickup tube O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil filter × 1 — Motorcraft FL-500S or equivalent
- Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Crankshaft front seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
- RTV silicone sealant × 1 — Motorcraft TA-357 or equivalent
Fluids
- Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 6 qt
- Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 2 qt
Preparation
- Ensure engine is completely cool to the touch
- Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes
- Raise vehicle on lift or secure on jack stands at all four corners
- Remove engine splash shield and underbody panels
- Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter
- Drain coolant from radiator and engine block
- Install engine support fixture or hoist to support engine weight
- Remove front wheels if additional access is needed
- Document all electrical connector positions with photos before disconnecting
Procedure
- 1Remove engine accessories and front coversRemove the serpentine belt, alternator, A/C compressor (do not disconnect refrigerant lines, support aside), power steering pump, and engine mount brackets. Label all electrical connectors during removal. Remove the crankshaft pulley using a holding tool to prevent rotation.Torque specMounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)Electrical Connector Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
- 2Support engine and remove front engine mountWith engine support fixture in place and taking the weight, remove the passenger side engine mount completely. This provides necessary access to the timing cover. Verify engine is stable and properly supported before proceeding.
- 3Remove timing coverRemove all timing cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence. The 3.5L EcoBoost has multiple bolt lengths and types - keep organized. Carefully separate timing cover from engine block using plastic pry tools only. Do not damage aluminum mating surfaces.⚠Aluminum timing cover is easily damaged. Never use metal pry bars on mating surfaces.Torque specCover Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
- 4Verify and mark timing chain alignmentRotate crankshaft to Top Dead Center (TDC) cylinder #1. Verify all timing marks on camshaft sprockets and crankshaft sprocket align with their corresponding marks. Use paint pen to mark chain-to-sprocket relationship on both camshaft sprockets and crankshaft sprocket. Take multiple reference photos.⚠️Failure to properly mark and maintain timing alignment will result in valve-to-piston contact and complete engine failure.
- 5Remove oil panRemove all oil pan bolts in a crisscross pattern starting from the outside and working inward. Carefully break the seal using a plastic gasket scraper and remove oil pan. Clean all old gasket material from pan and engine block mating surfaces with plastic scraper and brake cleaner.⚠Do not pry on oil pan between mating surfaces. Damage to sealing surface will cause oil leaks.Torque specOil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 6Remove oil pump pickup tubeRemove the oil pump pickup tube mounting bolts and carefully extract the pickup tube from the oil pump housing. Inspect pickup tube screen for debris or damage. Discard O-ring seal.Torque specOil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 7Remove oil pump assemblyRemove all oil pump mounting bolts. The oil pump is driven by the crankshaft and will slide forward off the crankshaft snout. Carefully work the pump free, ensuring the inner rotor comes out with the pump assembly. Inspect crankshaft surface for scoring or damage.ℹ️The oil pump inner rotor is keyed to the crankshaft. Note orientation before removal.Torque specOil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 8Clean all mating surfacesThoroughly clean all gasket mating surfaces on the engine block, timing cover mounting surface, and oil pan rail using plastic scrapers and brake cleaner. Ensure no gasket material, RTV, or debris remains. Wipe surfaces clean with lint-free shop towels and allow to dry completely.ℹ️Any debris left on sealing surfaces will compromise gasket seal and cause leaks.Torque specGasket Surface Bolts23 Nm (17 lb-ft)
- 9Install new oil pumpVerify new oil pump rotates freely by hand. Lubricate the oil pump inner rotor and crankshaft snout with clean engine oil. Align the inner rotor with the crankshaft keyway and carefully slide the oil pump onto the crankshaft, ensuring proper engagement. Install oil pump bolts and torque in a crisscross pattern.⚠Do not force oil pump onto crankshaft. Inner rotor must align with keyway smoothly.Torque specOil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 10Install oil pump pickup tubeInstall new O-ring on oil pump pickup tube, lubricated with clean engine oil. Insert pickup tube into oil pump housing and install mounting bolts. Torque bolts to specification. Verify pickup tube is properly seated and positioned correctly in relation to eventual oil pan installation.Torque specOil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 11Install oil pan with new gasketPosition new oil pan gasket on engine block. Apply small dabs of RTV sealant at front cover-to-block and rear main seal-to-block junctions. Position oil pan and install all bolts hand-tight. Torque oil pan bolts in a crisscross pattern from center outward to specification.Torque specOil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)Gasket Bolts23 Nm (17 lb-ft)
- 12Verify timing alignment and install timing coverRe-verify all timing marks are still properly aligned with reference marks made earlier. Install new crankshaft front seal in timing cover. Apply thin bead of RTV to timing cover where specified in service manual. Position timing cover carefully over crankshaft and against engine block. Install timing cover bolts in proper sequence starting with 8mm bolts and torque to specification.⚠Verify timing marks one final time before installing cover. This is your last opportunity to prevent timing-related engine damage.Torque specCover Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
- 13Reinstall front engine componentsReinstall crankshaft pulley and torque to specification. Reinstall engine mount, power steering pump, A/C compressor, alternator, and all brackets in reverse order of removal. Reconnect all electrical connectors per documentation photos. Install new serpentine belt and verify proper routing.Torque specMounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)Electrical Connector Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
- 14Refill fluids and perform final checksInstall new oil drain plug with new crush washer and torque to specification. Install new oil filter. Refill engine with 6 quarts of Motorcraft 0W-20 full synthetic oil. Refill coolant system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant to proper level. Reinstall all underbody panels and splash shields. Reconnect negative battery cable.Torque specOil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Double-check that all electrical connectors are properly seated and locked
- Verify serpentine belt routing is correct and belt is properly tensioned
- Ensure all drain plugs and fill caps are properly installed and tightened
- Verify no tools or shop towels were left in engine compartment
- Check that engine support fixture has been removed before starting
Verification
- Start engine and verify oil pressure builds within 5 seconds on instrument cluster
- Listen for any unusual noises from front of engine during startup
- Allow engine to reach operating temperature and inspect for oil leaks at pan, timing cover, and pump areas
- Verify no coolant leaks at timing cover
- Check oil level on dipstick and adjust if necessary after engine reaches operating temperature
- Test drive vehicle and monitor oil pressure gauge under various loads and RPM ranges
- Perform final inspection after test drive for any new leaks or concerns