In-Vehicle Repair: Camshafts: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Milan and 2010 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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 can cause engine failure.

NOTE: Do not rotate the camshafts or crankshaft unless instructed to do so in this procedure. Rotating the camshafts or crankshaft with timing components loosened or removed can cause serious damage to the valves or pistons.

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
Remove the accessory drive belt. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Remove the front RH wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL .
If equipped, remove the 7 screws and the underbody cover.

Fig 1: Locating Underbody Cover And Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) solenoid. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Check the valve clearance. For additional information, refer to VALVE CLEARANCE CHECK .
Using the crankshaft pulley bolt, turn the crankshaft clockwise to position the No. 1 piston at Top Dead Center (TDC).
- The hole in the crankshaft pulley should be in the 6 o'clock position.
NOTE: Failure to position the No. 1 piston at Top Dead Center (TDC) can result in damage to the engine. Turn the engine in the normal direction of rotation only.

Fig 2: Locating Crankshaft Pulley Hole
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the Camshaft Alignment Plate in the slots on the rear of both camshafts.
NOTE: The Camshaft Alignment Plate is for camshaft alignment only. Using this tool to prevent engine rotation can result in engine damage.

NOTE: The camshaft timing slots are offset. If the Camshaft Alignment Plate cannot be installed, rotate the crankshaft one complete revolution clockwise to correctly position the camshafts.

Fig 3: Identifying Camshaft Alignment Plate
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the engine plug bolt.

Fig 4: Locating Engine Plug Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg.
NOTE: The Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg will contact the crankshaft and prevent it from turning past TDC . However, the crankshaft can still be rotated in the counterclockwise direction. The crankshaft must remain at the TDC position during the camshaft removal and installation.

Fig 5: Installing Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install a standard 6 mm x 18 mm bolt through the crankshaft pulley and thread it into the front cover.
NOTE: Only hand-tighten the bolt or damage to the front cover can occur.

Fig 6: Locating Crankshaft Pulley Hole Bolt (6 mm x 18 mm)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the lower timing hole plug from the engine front cover.

Fig 7: Locating Lower Timing Hole Plug
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the upper timing hole plug from the engine front cover.

Fig 8: Locating Upper Front Cover Timing Hole Plug
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Reposition the Camshaft Alignment Plate to the slot on the rear of the intake camshaft only.

Fig 9: Identifying Camshaft Alignment Plate
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using a small pick tool, release the timing chain tensioner ratchet through the lower front cover timing hole.
- Have an assistant rotate the exhaust camshaft clockwise (using the flats of the camshaft) to collapse the timing chain tensioner plunger.
- Insert the M6 x 30 mm bolt into the upper front cover timing hole to hold the tensioner arm in the retracted position.
NOTE: Releasing the ratcheting mechanism in the timing chain tensioner allows the plunger to collapse and create slack in the timing chain. Installing the M6 x 30 mm bolt into the upper front cover timing hole will lock the tensioner arm in a retracted position and allow enough slack in the timing chain for removal of the exhaust camshaft gear.

Fig 10: Releasing Timing Chain Tensioner Ratchet Through Lower Front Cover Timing Hole
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using the flats on the camshaft to prevent camshaft rotation, remove the bolt and the exhaust camshaft drive gear.

Fig 11: Locating Flats On Camshaft To Prevent Camshaft Rotation
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the Camshaft Alignment Plate.

Fig 12: Identifying Camshaft Alignment Plate
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the timing chain from the intake camshaft drive gear.

Fig 13: Locating Timing Chain On Camshaft Phaser & Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Mark the position of the camshaft lobes on the No. 1 cylinder for installation reference.

Fig 14: Identifying Camshaft Lobes Position On No. 1 Cylinder
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the camshafts from the engine.
- Loosen the camshaft bearing cap bolts, in the sequence shown below, one turn at a time until all tension is released from the camshaft bearing caps.
- Remove the bolts and the camshaft bearing caps.
- Remove the camshafts.
NOTE: Failure to follow the camshaft loosening procedure can result in damage to the camshafts.

NOTE: Mark the location and orientation of each camshaft bearing cap.

Fig 15: Identifying Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolt Loosening Sequence
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
If removal of the camshaft phaser and sprocket is necessary, mark the sprocket and camshaft for reference during installation.
- If necessary, place the camshaft in a soft-jawed vise. Remove the bolt and the camshaft phaser and sprocket.