Section 2616 (Engine Mechanical - 3.5L): Removal: Camshaft

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ and 2011 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SPECIAL TOOL(S)

Tool, Camshaft Holding
303-1248

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: The engine comes equipped with either a roller primary timing chain or an inverted tooth primary timing chain.

All camshafts

Remove the engine front cover. For additional information, refer to ENGINE FRONT COVER in this service information.

NOTE: Engine equipped with roller timing chain and stamped steel RH timing chain guide shown in illustration, other applications similar.

Fig 1: Locating Timing Marks On Variable Camshaft Timing Assemblies

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and align the timing marks on the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) assemblies as shown in illustration.

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: Locating VCT Housing Bolts - RH
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 3 bolts and the LH VCT housing.

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

Engines equipped with a roller timing chain

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.
Mark the timing chain link that aligns with the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket as shown in illustration.

Fig 8: Aligning Timing Chain Link Mark With Timing Mark On Crankshaft Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the primary timing chain tensioner.

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

Fig 10: Identifying 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 Lower LH Primary Timing Chain Guide And Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the primary timing chain.

Fig 12: Identifying Primary Timing Chain
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Engines equipped with an inverted tooth timing chain

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 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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 16: Locating Bolts And Primary Timing Chain Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the primary timing chain tensioner arm.

Fig 17: Locating Primary Timing Chain Tensioner Arm
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the lower LH primary timing chain guide.

Fig 18: Locating Bolts And Lower LH Primary Timing Chain Guide
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the primary timing chain.

Fig 19: Identifying Primary Timing Chain
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

LH camshafts
Compress the LH secondary timing chain tensioner and install a suitable lockpin to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.

Fig 20: 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.

Fig 21: Locating LH VCT Assembly Bolt And LH Exhaust Camshaft Sprocket Bolt

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

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.

NOTE: When the Camshaft Holding Tool is removed, valve spring pressure will rotate the LH camshafts approximately 3 degrees to a neutral position.

Fig 22: Identifying Camshaft Holding Tool On LH Camshafts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the Camshaft Holding Tool from the LH camshafts.

NOTE: The camshafts must remain in the neutral position during removal or engine damage may occur.

Fig 23: Locating LH Camshafts Neutral Position

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Verify the LH camshafts are in the neutral position.

NOTE: Cylinder head camshaft bearing caps are numbered to verify that they are assembled in their original positions.

Fig 24: Locating LH Camshaft Bearing Caps Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the bolts and the LH camshaft bearing caps.
- Remove the LH camshafts.
RH camshafts
Compress the RH secondary timing chain tensioner and install a suitable lockpin to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.

Fig 25: 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.

Fig 26: Identifying RH VCT Assembly Bolt And RH Exhaust Camshaft Sprocket Bolt

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

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.
Remove the Camshaft Holding Tool from the RH camshafts.

Fig 27: Identifying Camshaft Holding Tool On RH Camshafts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The camshafts must remain in the neutral position during removal or engine damage may occur.

Fig 28: Locating RH Camshafts Neutral Position

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Rotate the RH camshafts counterclockwise to the neutral position.

NOTE: Cylinder head camshaft bearing caps are numbered to verify that they are assembled in their original positions.

Fig 29: Locating RH Camshaft Bearing Caps Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the bolts and the RH camshaft bearing caps.
- Remove the RH camshafts.