This procedure replaces all valve springs on the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, requiring removal of camshafts and related components from both cylinder banks.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Valve springs (set of 24) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve stem seals (set of 24) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gaskets (left and right) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Spark plug tube seals × 6 — Use OEM specification
• Camshaft cap bolts × 24 — Use OEM specification
• VCT solenoid O-rings × 4 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 10 minutes for airbag system capacitors to discharge
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on retaining clips
4. Drain cooling system partially to below intake manifold level
5. Remove air intake system including air filter housing and turbocharger intake tubes
6. Disconnect intercooler system pipes from both turbochargers
7. Label and disconnect all electrical connectors on both valve covers including ignition coils and VCT solenoids
8. Remove ignition coils from all six cylinders
9. Mark all vacuum lines and emissions hoses for reinstallation
10. Photograph timing marks and component positions for reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove spark plugs and valve covers
   Remove all six spark plugs and store in order. Remove valve cover bolts following reverse of tightening sequence (start from outer bolts working inward). Carefully lift valve covers away from cylinder heads. Inspect gasket surfaces for damage.
   Torque spec

   Spark Plugs - Aluminum Head20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

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

   Position engine to TDC cylinder 1
   Rotate crankshaft clockwise using breaker bar on crankshaft pulley bolt until cylinder 1 is at top dead center on compression stroke. Verify timing marks on camshaft sprockets align with timing marks on cylinder head. Install crankshaft holding tool to prevent rotation.
3. 3

   Mark and remove camshaft components
   Using a paint marker, number each camshaft cap with its position (1-6 for each camshaft) and mark orientation arrows pointing toward front of engine. The caps are machined as matched sets and MUST return to exact original positions. Photograph cap positions. Remove VCT solenoids from all four camshafts.
   ⚠Camshaft caps are not interchangeable between positions. Mixing cap positions will cause bearing failure.
   Torque spec

   Sensor Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Loosen camshaft cap bolts
   Working on the right bank first, loosen camshaft cap bolts in reverse sequence (outside to center) in multiple passes, no more than 2 turns per pass. This allows camshaft spring pressure to release gradually. Once all bolts are loose, remove bolts completely and store with their respective caps.
   ⚠Loosening cap bolts too quickly can cause caps to crack or camshafts to bend from valve spring pressure.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove camshafts and rocker arms
   Carefully lift intake and exhaust camshafts from the right cylinder head. Mark camshafts INTAKE/EXHAUST and RIGHT BANK. Remove rocker arms and hydraulic lash adjusters, keeping them in order using a labeled organizer tray. These must return to their original positions.
6. 6

   Compress valve springs and remove keepers
   Starting with cylinder 1 right bank, install valve spring compressor tool on intake valve. Compress spring carefully until keepers are unloaded. Using magnetic pickup or small screwdriver, carefully remove both valve keepers. Place keepers in labeled container. Release spring pressure slowly and remove retainer and spring. Repeat for exhaust valve. Work through all cylinders on right bank.
   ⚠️Valve spring keepers will launch if spring is released suddenly. Keep face away from spring compressor and work deliberately.
7. 7

   Replace valve stem seals and springs on right bank
   Remove old valve stem seals using seal removal tool or pliers. Install new valve stem seals on each valve guide, tapping gently into place with seal installation tool or deep socket. Install new valve springs with closer-wound coils toward cylinder head. Install spring retainers. Compress spring and carefully install keepers using magnetic tool, ensuring keepers seat fully in valve stem groove. Tap valve stem lightly with plastic mallet to verify keepers are seated. Repeat for all 12 valves on right bank.
   ⚠Verify keepers are fully seated before releasing spring pressure. Partially seated keepers will drop valve into cylinder.
8. 8

   Reinstall right bank camshafts
   Lubricate all camshaft journals and lobes with fresh engine oil. Install hydraulic lash adjusters in original positions. Install rocker arms in original positions. Place intake and exhaust camshafts on cylinder head in correct positions, verifying timing marks. Apply small amount of engine oil to camshaft cap bearing surfaces. Install camshaft caps in exact original positions and orientations following your markings.
9. 9

   Torque right bank camshaft caps
   Install new camshaft cap bolts. Tighten bolts in multiple passes working from center caps outward to outside caps. First pass: finger tight. Second pass: 7 Nm. Third pass: final torque of 14 Nm. Verify camshafts rotate smoothly by hand after torquing.
   ⚠Tightening camshaft caps out of sequence or too quickly will cause binding and potential bearing damage.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Repeat procedure for left bank
    Perform steps 4-9 for the left cylinder bank, removing camshaft caps, camshafts, rocker arms, replacing all valve springs and stem seals, then reinstalling components. Maintain same careful organization and torque sequences.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Verify timing alignment
    With all camshafts installed, verify timing marks on all four camshaft sprockets align with cylinder head timing marks with engine at TDC cylinder 1. Install camshaft alignment tools if available to verify correct position. Remove crankshaft holding tool.
    ⚠️Incorrect timing will cause piston-to-valve contact and catastrophic engine damage on startup.
12. 12

    Install VCT solenoids and valve covers
    Install new O-rings on VCT solenoids and install solenoids on all four camshafts. Clean valve cover and cylinder head gasket surfaces thoroughly with plastic scraper. Install new valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals. Position valve covers and install bolts. Torque valve cover bolts in sequence from center outward.
    Torque spec

    Sensor Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Cover Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install spark plugs and reconnect components
    Apply small amount of anti-seize compound to spark plug threads. Install spark plugs and torque to specification. Install ignition coils. Reconnect all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and emissions hoses according to labels and photos. Reinstall intercooler pipes and air intake system.
    Torque spec

    Spark Plugs - Aluminum Head20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

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

    Refill cooling system and check oil level
    Refill cooling system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant to proper level. Check engine oil level and top off with Motorcraft 0W-20 if needed after valve spring work. Reconnect battery negative terminal.

Reassembly

1. Double-check that all camshaft caps were reinstalled in original marked positions
2. Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
3. Confirm no tools or parts are left in engine compartment
4. Ensure all valve cover bolts are torqued in proper sequence

Verification

• Perform leak-down test on all cylinders to verify valve sealing (should be less than 10% leakage)
• Start engine and listen for unusual valvetrain noise - should be smooth with no ticking or knocking
• Verify engine runs smoothly at idle with no misfires using scan tool
• Check for oil leaks around valve covers after 10 minutes of running
• Monitor coolant level and check for leaks
• Test drive vehicle and verify normal power delivery and no check engine lights
• Verify VCT system operation by checking cam timing values with scan tool at various RPMs

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