Timing Drive Components: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Lincoln MKX and 2010 Ford Edge. 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 may cause engine failure.

NOTE: On early build engines, the timing chain rides on the inner side of the RH timing chain guide. Late build engines are equipped with a different design RH timing chain guide that requires the timing chain to ride on the outer side of the RH timing chain guide. For service, all replacement RH timing chain guides will be the late build design.

All vehicles

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

Fig 1: Identifying Timing Marks Location
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.

Fig 2: Identifying Timing Marks Location
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles

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 LH camshafts.

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

Fig 4: Identifying Camshaft Holding Tool

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

Fig 6: Locating 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.

Fig 7: Marking Timing Chain Link for RH Intake VCT

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Mark the timing chain link that aligns with the timing mark on the LH intake VCT assembly as shown.

Fig 8: Marking Timing Chain Link for LH Intake VCT

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

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

Fig 9: Marking Timing Chain Link for Crankshaft Sprocket

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the 2 bolts and the primary timing chain tensioner.

Fig 10: Locating Primary Timing Chain Tensioner Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the primary timing chain tensioner arm.

Fig 11: Locating Primary Timing Chain Tensioner Arm
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the lower LH primary timing chain guide.

Fig 12: Locating Lower LH Primary Timing Chain Guide Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the primary timing chain.

Fig 13: Locating Primary Timing Chain
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the crankshaft timing chain sprocket.

Fig 14: Locating Crankshaft Timing Chain Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the upper LH primary timing chain guide.

Fig 15: Locating Upper LH Primary Timing Chain Guide With Bolts
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 16: 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 17: Locating Secondary Timing Chain And LH Exhaust Camshaft Sprocket
  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 18: Locating LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt

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 19: 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 20: Locating Secondary Timing Chain And RH Exhaust Camshaft Sprocket
  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 21: Locating RH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the 2 bolts and the RH secondary timing chain tensioner.
Engines equipped with early build RH timing chain guides
Remove the 2 bolts and the RH primary timing chain guide.

Fig 22: Locating RH Primary Timing Chain Guide Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Engines equipped with late build/replacement RH timing chain guides
Remove the 2 bolts and the RH primary timing chain guide.

Fig 23: Locating RH Primary Timing Chain Guide Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.