Camshaft Phaser and Sprocket: Removal

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

LH camshaft phaser and sprocket

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING article. A video version of this procedure is available on-line.
Remove the LH Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) oil control solenoid. For additional information, refer to ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - 3.0L (4V) -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Remove the LH Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor. For additional information, refer to ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - 3.0L (4V) -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Remove the 4 screws and position the RH fender splash shield aside.

Fig 1: Locating RH Fender Splash Shield Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 6 pin-type retainers and the RH splash shield.

Fig 2: Locating Pin-Type Retainers And RH Splash Shield
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The camshafts must be in the neutral position before removing the bearing caps or damage to the engine may occur.

NOTE: The engine front cover is removed for clarity.

Fig 3: Identifying LH Camshafts Are In Neutral Position

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Rotate the crankshaft until the LH camshafts are in the neutral position as shown in the illustration.

NOTE: The Timing Chain Locking Tool must be installed square to the timing chain and the engine block or damage may result.

NOTE: The Timing Chain Locking Tool will lock the timing chain in place.

NOTE: The engine front cover is removed for clarity.

Fig 4: Identifying Timing Chain Locking Tool In LH Timing Chain

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the Timing Chain Locking Tool in the LH timing chain as shown in the illustration.

NOTE: Do not remove the Timing Chain Locking Tool at any time during assembly. If the Timing Chain Locking Tool is removed or out of placement, the engine front cover must be removed and the engine must be retimed. For additional information, refer to TIMING DRIVE COMPONENTS in this service information.

NOTE: The timing chain must be installed in its original position onto the camshaft phaser and sprocket and exhaust camshaft using the marks, or damage to valves and pistons will result.

Fig 5: Marking Timing Chain Links And LH Camshaft Phaser And Sprocket And Exhaust Camshaft Gear

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Mark the timing chain links and LH camshaft phaser and sprocket and exhaust camshaft gear as shown in the illustration for installation.
Loosen the intake camshaft bolts evenly in the sequence shown in the illustration.

Fig 6: Identifying Intake Camshaft Bolts Loosening Sequence
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the intake camshaft bearing thrust cap.

Fig 7: Locating Bolts And Intake Camshaft Bearing Thrust Cap
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Do not allow the camshaft to rotate from the neutral position while removing the camshaft phaser and sprocket or damage to the engine may occur.

NOTE: Only use hand tools to remove the camshaft phaser and sprocket bolts or damage may occur to the camshaft or camshaft phaser and sprocket.

NOTE: Install a 3/8-in ratchet and extension into the D-slot on the rear of the LH intake camshaft to hold the camshaft in place for removal of the camshaft phaser and sprocket bolts.

Fig 8: Removing Camshaft Phaser And Sprocket Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Loosen the 3 bolts for the LH camshaft phaser and sprocket.
- Tighten to 18 Nm (159 lb-in).

NOTE: Damage to the camshaft phaser and sprocket assembly will occur if mishandled or used as a lifting or leveraging device.

NOTE: The camshaft will move and needs to be positioned towards the rear of the engine.

Fig 9: Pressing LH Camshaft Phaser And Sprocket Bolts Towards Rear Of Engine

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Using your hands, press the LH camshaft phaser and sprocket bolts towards the rear of the engine while using a rocking motion to release the LH camshaft phaser and sprocket from the camshaft.
- Once the LH camshaft phaser and sprocket has separated from the camshaft, remove the timing chain from the LH camshaft phaser and sprocket and remove.
RH camshaft phaser and sprocket
Remove the RH VCT oil control solenoid. For additional information, refer to ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - 3.0L (4V) -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Remove the RH CMP sensor. For additional information, refer to ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - 3.0L (4V) -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Remove the 4 screws and position the RH fender splash shield aside.

Fig 10: Locating RH Fender Splash Shield Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 6 pin-type retainers and the RH splash shield.

Fig 11: Locating Pin-Type Retainers And RH Splash Shield
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The camshafts must be in the neutral position before removing the bearing caps or damage to the engine may occur.

NOTE: The engine front cover is removed for clarity.

Fig 12: Identifying RH Camshafts Are In Neutral Position

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Rotate the crankshaft until the RH camshafts are in the neutral position as shown in the illustration.

NOTE: The Timing Chain Locking Tool must be installed square to the timing chain and the engine block or damage may result.

NOTE: The Timing Chain Locking Tool will lock the timing chain in place.

NOTE: The engine front cover is removed for clarity.

Fig 13: Installing Timing Chain Locking Tool In RH Timing Chain

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the Timing Chain Locking Tool in the RH timing chain as shown in the illustration.

NOTE: Do not remove the Timing Chain Locking Tool at any time. If the Timing Chain Locking Tool is removed or out of placement, the engine front cover must be removed and the engine must be retimed. For additional information, refer to TIMING DRIVE COMPONENTS in this service information.

NOTE: The timing chain must be installed in its original position onto the camshaft phaser and sprocket and exhaust camshaft gear using the marks, or damage to valves and pistons will result.

Fig 14: Marking Timing Chain Links And RH Camshaft Phaser And Sprocket And Exhaust Camshaft Gear

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Mark the timing chain links and RH camshaft phaser and sprocket and exhaust camshaft gear as shown in the illustration for installation.
Loosen the intake camshaft bolts evenly in the sequence shown in the illustration.

Fig 15: Identifying Intake Camshaft Bolts Loosening Sequence
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the intake camshaft bearing thrust cap.

Fig 16: Locating Bolts And Intake Camshaft Bearing Thrust Cap
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Do not allow the camshaft to rotate from the neutral position while removing the camshaft phaser and sprocket or damage to the engine may occur.

NOTE: Only use hand tools to remove the camshaft phaser and sprocket bolt or damage may occur to the camshaft or camshaft phaser and sprocket.

NOTE: Install a 3/8-in ratchet and extension into the D-slot on the rear of the RH intake camshaft to hold the camshaft in place for removal of the camshaft phaser and sprocket bolts.

NOTE: The engine front cover is removed for clarity.

Fig 17: Remove/Install Camshaft Phaser And Sprocket Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Loosen the 3 bolts for the RH camshaft phaser and sprocket.
- Tighten to 18 Nm (159 lb-in).

NOTE: Damage to the camshaft phaser and sprocket assembly will occur if mishandled or used as a lifting or leveraging device.

NOTE: The camshaft will move and needs to be positioned towards the rear of the engine.

Fig 18: Pressing RH Camshaft Phaser And Sprocket Bolts Towards Rear Of Engine

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Using your hands, press the RH camshaft phaser and sprocket bolts towards the rear of the engine while using a rocking motion to release the RH camshaft phaser and sprocket from the camshaft.
- Once the RH camshaft phaser and sprocket has separated from the camshaft, remove the timing chain from the RH camshaft phaser and sprocket and remove.