Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Lincoln MKZ 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.

All camshafts

Remove the engine front cover. For additional information, refer to Removal and Installation .
Engines equipped with early build RH timing chain guides
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)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Engines equipped with late build/replacement RH timing chain guides
Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and align the timing marks on the VCT assemblies as shown in illustration.

Fig 2: Locating Timing Marks On Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) Assemblies
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles
Install the Camshaft Holding Tool onto the flats of the LH camshafts.
NOTE: The Camshaft Holding Tool will hold the camshafts in the Top Dead Center (TDC) position.

Fig 3: Identifying Camshaft Holding Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the Camshaft Holding Tool onto the flats of the RH camshafts.
NOTE: The Camshaft Holding Tool will hold the camshafts in the TDC position.

Fig 4: Installing Camshaft Holding Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 3 bolts and the RH VCT housing.

Fig 5: Locating VCT Housing Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 3 bolts and the LH VCT housing.

Fig 6: Locating VCT Housing Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the primary timing chain tensioner.

Fig 7: Locating Primary Timing Chain Tensioner Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the primary timing chain tensioner arm.

Fig 8: Locating Primary Timing Chain Tensioner Arm
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the lower LH primary timing chain guide.

Fig 9: Locating Lower LH Primary Timing Chain Guide & Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the primary timing chain.

Fig 10: Locating 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 11: Compressing LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner
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: The VCT bolt and the exhaust camshaft bolt must be discarded and new ones installed. However, the exhaust camshaft washer is reusable.

Fig 12: Locating VCT Bolt & Exhaust Camshaft Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the Camshaft Holding Tool from the LH camshafts.
NOTE: When the Camshaft Holding Tool is removed, valve spring pressure will rotate the LH camshafts approximately 3 degrees to a neutral position.

Fig 13: Identifying Camshaft Holding Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Verify the LH camshafts are in the neutral position.
NOTE: The camshafts must remain in the neutral position during removal or engine damage may occur.

Fig 14: Positioning Camshafts Onto LH Cylinder Head In Neutral Position
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the bolts and the LH camshaft bearing caps.
- Remove the LH camshafts.
NOTE: Cylinder head camshaft bearing caps are numbered to verify that they are assembled in their original positions.

Fig 15: Locating LH Camshaft Bearing Caps Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

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

Fig 16: Compressing RH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner
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.
NOTE: The VCT bolt and the exhaust camshaft bolt must be discarded and new ones installed. However, the exhaust camshaft washer is reusable.

Fig 17: Locating VCT Assembly Bolt & RH Exhaust Camshaft Sprocket Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the Camshaft Holding Tool from the RH camshafts.

Fig 18: Identifying Camshaft Holding Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Rotate the RH camshafts counterclockwise to the neutral position.
NOTE: The camshafts must remain in the neutral position during removal or engine damage may occur.

Fig 19: Positioning Of Camshafts In Neutral Position
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the bolts and the RH camshaft bearing caps.
- Remove the RH camshafts.
NOTE: Cylinder head camshaft bearing caps are numbered to verify that they are assembled in their original positions.

Fig 20: Locating RH Camshaft Bearing Caps And Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.