Timing Drive Components: 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.

All engines

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 Bolts And LH Valve Train Oil Tube
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 Bolts And RH Valve Train Oil Tube
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 that 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 align with the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket as shown.

Fig 8: Locating Crankshaft Sprocket Timing Mark
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the primary timing chain tensioner.

Fig 9: Locating Primary Timing Chain Tensioner 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 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 Bolt And LH Intake VCT Oil Control Solenoid
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 Bolt And RH Intake VCT Oil Control Solenoid
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the primary timing chain.

Fig 14: Identifying Primary Timing Chain
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the crankshaft timing chain sprocket.

Fig 15: Locating Crankshaft Timing Chain Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Do not use power tools to remove the bolt or damage to the LH primary timing chain guide may occur.

Remove the bolt and the upper LH primary timing chain guide.

Fig 16: Locating Upper LH Primary Timing Chain Guide And Bolt
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 17: Compressing LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove and discard the 2 LH VCT assembly bolts.

Fig 18: Locating LH VCT Assembly Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 LH VCT assemblies and secondary timing chain.

Fig 19: Locating LH VCT Assemblies And Secondary 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 RH 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 20: Locating Secondary Chain Hold Down And Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner Guide
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove and discard the 2 RH VCT assembly bolts.

Fig 21: Locating RH VCT Assembly Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 RH VCT assemblies and secondary timing chain.

Fig 22: Locating RH VCT Assemblies And Secondary Timing Chain
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Do not use power tools to remove the bolt or damage to the RH primary timing chain guide may occur.

Remove the bolt and the RH primary timing chain guide.

Fig 23: Locating RH Primary Timing Chain Guide And Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 9 bolts and the channel cover plate.
- Discard the gaskets.
  
  Fig 24: Locating Channel Cover Plate Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  
  Engines with secondary timing chain tensioner removed
  
  NOTE: The following steps are only for the replacement of the secondary timing chain tensioners. Do not reuse the secondary timing chain tensioners if removed, or damage to the engine may occur.
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 LH exhaust VCT oil control solenoid.

Fig 25: Locating LH Exhaust VCT Oil Control Solenoid
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the LH secondary timing chain tensioner shoe.

Fig 26: Locating LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner Shoe
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the LH secondary timing chain tensioner by pushing up from the bottom and remove.

Fig 27: Removing LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner By Pushing Up From Bottom
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
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 RH exhaust VCT oil control solenoid.

Fig 28: Locating RH Exhaust VCT Oil Control Solenoid
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the RH secondary timing chain tensioner shoe.

Fig 29: Locating RH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner Shoe
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the RH secondary timing chain tensioner by pushing up from the bottom and remove.

Fig 30: Removing RH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner By Pushing Up From Bottom
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.