Timing Drive Components: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

NOTE: During engine repair procedures, cleanliness is extremely important. Any foreign material, including any material created while cleaning gasket surfaces, that enters the oil passages, coolant passages or the oil pan may cause engine failure.

Remove the engine front cover. For additional information, refer to ENGINE FRONT COVER .
Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and align the timing marks on the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) assemblies as shown in illustration.

Fig 1: Locating Timing Marks On Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) Assemblies
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The Camshaft Holding Tool will hold the camshafts in the Top Dead Center (TDC) position.

Fig 2: Identifying Camshaft Holding Tool On Flats Of LH Camshafts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the Camshaft Holding Tool onto the flats of the LH camshafts.

NOTE: The Camshaft Holding Tool will hold the camshafts in the TDC position.

Fig 3: Identifying Camshaft Holding Tool On Flats Of RH Camshafts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the Camshaft Holding Tool onto the flats of the RH camshafts.
Remove the 3 bolts and the RH VCT housing.

Fig 4: Identifying RH VCT Housing Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 3 bolts and the LH VCT housing.

Fig 5: Identifying LH VCT Housing Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The following 3 steps are for primary timing chains when the colored links are not visible.
Mark the timing chain link that aligns with the timing mark on the RH intake VCT assembly as shown in illustration.

Fig 6: Aligning Timing Chain Link Mark With Timing Mark On RH Intake VCT Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Mark the timing chain link that aligns with the timing mark on the LH intake VCT assembly as shown in illustration.

Fig 7: Aligning Timing Chain Link Mark With Timing Mark On LH Intake VCT Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The crankshaft sprocket timing mark should be between the 2 colored links.

Fig 8: Aligning Timing Chain Links Mark With Timing Mark On Crankshaft Sprocket

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Mark the 2 timing chain links that align with the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket as shown in illustration.
Remove the 2 bolts and the primary timing chain tensioner.

Fig 9: Locating Bolts And Primary Timing Chain Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the primary timing chain tensioner arm.

Fig 10: Locating Primary Timing Chain Tensioner Arm
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the lower LH primary timing chain guide.

Fig 11: Locating Bolts And Lower LH Primary Timing Chain Guide
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the primary timing chain.

Fig 12: Locating Primary Timing Chain
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the crankshaft timing chain sprocket.

Fig 13: Locating Crankshaft Timing Chain Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the bolt and the upper LH primary timing chain guide.

Fig 14: Locating Bolt And Upper LH Primary Timing Chain Guide
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Compress the LH secondary timing chain tensioner and install a suitable lockpin to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.

Fig 15: Compressing LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The VCT bolt and the exhaust camshaft bolt must be discarded and new ones installed. However, the exhaust camshaft washer is reusable.

Remove and discard the LH VCT assembly bolt and the LH exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt.
- Remove the LH VCT assembly, secondary timing chain and the LH exhaust camshaft sprocket as an assembly.
  
  Fig 16: Locating VCT Bolt And Exhaust Camshaft Sprocket Bolt
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: It is necessary to tilt the Camshaft Holding Tool toward the rear of the engine to access the rearmost secondary timing chain tensioner bolt.

Fig 17: Locating LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the 2 bolts and the LH secondary timing chain tensioner.
Compress the RH secondary timing chain tensioner and install a suitable lockpin to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.

Fig 18: Compressing RH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The VCT bolt and the exhaust camshaft bolt must be discarded and new ones installed. However, the exhaust camshaft washer is reusable.

Remove and discard the RH VCT assembly bolt and the RH exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt.
- Remove the RH VCT assembly, secondary timing chain and the RH exhaust camshaft sprocket as an assembly.
  
  Fig 19: Locating VCT Assembly Bolt And RH Exhaust Camshaft Sprocket Bolt
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: It is necessary to tilt the Camshaft Holding Tool toward the rear of the engine to access the rearmost secondary timing chain tensioner bolt.

Fig 20: Locating RH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the 2 bolts and the RH secondary timing chain tensioner.
Remove the bolt and the RH timing chain guide.

Fig 21: Locating RH Timing Chain Guide Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.