Camshaft - LH: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-150. 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.

Remove the engine front cover. For additional information, refer to ENGINE FRONT COVER .
Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and align the timing marks on the intake Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) assemblies as shown.

Fig 1: Locating Timing Marks On Intake Variable Camshaft Timing Assemblies
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 3 bolts and the LH valve train oil tube.

Fig 2: Locating LH Valve Train Oil Tube And Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The Camshaft Holding Tool will hold the camshafts in the Top Dead Center (TDC) position.

Install the Camshaft Holding Tool onto the flats of the LH camshafts.

Fig 3: Identifying LH Camshaft Holding Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 3 bolts and the RH valve train oil tube.

Fig 4: Locating RH Valve Train Oil Tube And Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The Camshaft Holding Tool will hold the camshafts in the TDC position.

Install the Camshaft Holding Tool onto the flats of the RH camshafts.

Fig 5: Identifying RH Camshaft Holding Tool
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 LH intake VCT assembly as shown.

Fig 6: Locating Timing Mark On LH Intake VCT Assembly And Timing Chain Link
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Mark the timing chain link that aligns with the timing mark on the RH intake VCT assembly as shown.

Fig 7: Locating Timing Mark On RH Intake VCT Assembly And Timing Chain Link
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The crankshaft sprocket timing mark should be between the 2 colored links.

Mark the 2 timing chain links that aligns with the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket as shown.

Fig 8: Locating 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 Bolt
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 Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Removal of the VCT oil control solenoid will aid in the removal of the primary timing chain.

NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the removal of the VCT oil control solenoid.

NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

Remove the bolt and the LH intake VCT oil control solenoid.

Fig 12: Locating LH Intake VCT Oil Control Solenoid And Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Removal of the VCT oil control solenoid will aid in the removal of the primary timing chain.

NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the removal of the VCT oil control solenoid.

NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

Remove the bolt and the RH intake VCT oil control solenoid.

Fig 13: Locating RH Intake VCT Oil Control Solenoid And Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the primary timing chain.

Fig 14: Identifying Primary Timing Chain
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The 2 VCT oil control solenoids are removed for clarity.

NOTE: The Secondary Chain Hold Down is inserted through a hole in the top of the mega cap.

Compress the LH secondary timing chain tensioner and install the Secondary Chain Hold Down in the hole on the rear of the secondary timing chain tensioner guide and let it hold against the mega cap to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.

Fig 15: Compressing LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove and discard the 2 LH VCT assembly bolts.

Fig 16: Locating LH VCT Assembly Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 LH VCT assemblies and secondary timing chain.
- Remove the Secondary Chain Hold Down.
  
  Fig 17: Locating LH VCT Assemblies And Secondary Timing Chain
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: When the Camshaft Holding Tool is removed, valve spring pressure may rotate the LH camshafts approximately 3 degrees to a neutral position.

Remove the Camshaft Holding Tool from the LH camshafts.

Fig 18: Identifying Camshaft Holding Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Cylinder head camshaft bearing caps are numbered to verify that they are assembled in their original positions.

NOTE: Mark the exhaust and intake camshafts for installation into their original locations.

Remove the 12 bolts, 6 camshaft caps, mega cap and the LH camshafts.

Fig 19: Locating Bolts, Camshaft Caps, Mega Cap Of LH Camshafts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.