Engine Front Cover: Installation

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: The Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) variable force solenoid pins must be fully depressed to avoid interference with the VCT valve tips when installing the engine front cover. Failure to follow these instructions can result in damage to the engine.

NOTE: LH shown in illustration, RH similar.

Fully depress the VCT variable force solenoid pins.

Fig 1: Locating VCT Variable Force Solenoid Pins
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The engine front cover must be installed and all fasteners final tightened within 5 minutes of applying the sealer. If this cannot be accomplished, install the engine front cover and tighten fasteners 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 to 8 Nm (71 lb-in) within 5 minutes of applying the sealer. All of the fasteners must then be final tightened within 1 hour of applying the sealer. If this time limit is exceeded, all sealant must be removed and the sealing area cleaned. To clean the sealing area, use silicone gasket remover and metal surface prep. Follow the directions on the packaging. Failure to follow this procedure can cause future oil leakage.

Apply a bead of silicone gasket and sealant to the cylinder head-to-cylinder block joints and the oil pan-to-cylinder block joints as illustrated.

Fig 2: Locating Sealant Applied To Cylinder Head-To-Cylinder Block Joints And Oil Pan-To-Cylinder Block Joints
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Make sure that the engine front cover gaskets are in place on the engine front cover before installation.

Using new gaskets, position the engine front cover onto the dowels.
- Install the 13 engine front cover bolts, 2 stud bolts, the 2 oil pan-to-engine front cover bolts and the 2 oil pan-to-engine front cover stud bolts finger-tight.
  
  Fig 3: Installing Engine Front Cover
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The engine front cover must be installed and all fasteners final tightened within 5 minutes of applying the sealer. If this cannot be accomplished, install the engine front cover and tighten fasteners 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 to 8 Nm (71 lb-in) within 5 minutes of applying the sealer. All of the fasteners must then be final tightened within 1 hour of applying the sealer. If this time limit is exceeded, all sealant must be removed and the sealing area cleaned. To clean the sealing area, use silicone gasket remover and metal surface prep. Follow the directions on the packaging. Failure to follow this procedure can cause future oil leakage.

Tighten the bolts in the sequence shown in illustration in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten bolts 1-15 to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft) and bolts 16-19 to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten bolts 1-15 an additional 60 degrees and bolts 16-19 an additional 45 degrees.
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Engine Front Cover Bolts Tightening Sequence
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using a 10 mm Hex Bit, rotate the engine front cover jackscrew into contact with the oil filter adapter to 5 Nm (44 lb-in).

Fig 5: Rotating Engine Front Cover Jackscrew Using Hex Bit
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the engine front cover-to-oil filter adapter bolt and tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft) plus an additional 60 degrees.

Fig 6: Locating Engine Front Cover-To-Oil Filter Adapter Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the wiring harness and install the wiring harness retainer to the oil pan stud bolt.

Fig 7: Locating Wiring Harness Retainer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Attach the starter motor wiring harness retainer to the oil pan.

Fig 8: Locating Starter Motor Wiring Harness Retainer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the transmission cooler line bracket and the nut to the engine front cover stud bolt.
- Tighten to 13 Nm (115 lb-in).
  
  Fig 9: Locating Nut And Transmission Cooler Tube Bracket
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the oil drain gutter and the 3 bolts.
- Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
  
  Fig 10: Locating Oil Drain Gutter And Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the skid plate and the 4 bolts.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
NOTE: Lubricate the engine front cover bore and the crankshaft front oil seal inner lip with clean engine oil.

Using the Front Crank Seal and Damper Installer and the Front Cover Oil Seal Installer (plate only), install the crankshaft front oil seal.

Fig 11: Installing Crankshaft Front Oil Seal
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: If not secured within 5 minutes, the sealant must be removed and the sealing area cleaned with silicone gasket remover and metal surface prep. Failure to follow this procedure can cause future oil leakage.

Apply silicone gasket and sealant to the Woodruff key slot in the crankshaft pulley.

Fig 12: Locating Woodruff Key Slot In Crankshaft Pulley
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Lubricate the crankshaft pulley sealing surface with clean engine oil prior to installation.

Fig 13: Locating Crankshaft Pulley Sealing Surface
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using the Front Crank Seal and Damper Installer and the Front Cover Oil Seal Installer (plate only), install the crankshaft pulley.

Fig 14: Installing Crankshaft Pulley Using Front Crank Seal And Damper Installer And Front Cover Oil Seal Installer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using the Strap Wrench, install a new crankshaft pulley bolt and the original washer, tighten the bolt in 4 stages:
- Stage 1: Tighten to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Loosen 360 degrees.
- Stage 3: Tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).
- Stage 4: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.
  
  Fig 15: Installing Crankshaft Pulley Bolt Using Strap Wrench
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the generator and the 2 bolts.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 16: Locating Bolts And Generator
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the accessory drive belt tensioner and bolt.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 17: Locating Accessory Drive Belt Tensioner Bolt
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Attach the wiring harness retainer to the engine front cover stud bolt.

Fig 18: Locating Wiring Harness Retainer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the ground wire and nut to the engine front cover stud bolt.
- Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
  
  Fig 19: Locating Nut And Engine Front Cover Stud Bolt Ground Wire
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the throttle body and EVAP purge valve electrical connectors.

Fig 20: Locating Throttle Body And Evaporative Emission Purge Valve Electrical Connectors
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Lubricate the new coolant pump O-ring seal with clean engine coolant.

Using a new O-ring seal, install the coolant pump and the 4 bolts.
- Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in) plus an additional 60 degrees.
  
  Fig 21: Locating Coolant Pump Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the coolant pump pulley and the 4 bolts.

Fig 22: Locating Coolant Pump Pulley Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the heater hose.

Fig 23: Locating Heater Hose
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Lubricate the new thermostat housing O-ring seal with clean engine coolant.

Using a new thermostat housing O-ring seal, install the upper radiator hose T-connector/thermostat housing assembly and clamp.

Fig 24: Locating Clamp And Upper Radiator Hose T-Connector/Thermostat Housing Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the 2 thermostat housing bolts.
- Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
  
  Fig 25: Locating Thermostat Housing Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the degas coolant hose and clamp.

Fig 26: Locating Clamp And Degas Coolant Hose
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the lower radiator hose and clamp to the thermostat housing assembly.

Fig 27: Locating Thermostat Housing Assembly Lower Radiator Hose And Clamp
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the accessory drive and A/C compressor belts. For additional information, refer to ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT .
Tighten the 4 coolant pump pulley bolts to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).

Fig 28: Locating Coolant Pump Pulley Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the RH and LH valve covers. For additional information, refer to VALVE COVER - RH and VALVE COVER - LH .
Fill the crankcase with clean engine oil.
Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer Section 414-01.
Fill and bleed the engine cooling system. For additional information, refer to ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM .
After completing the repairs, use the scan tool to perform the Misfire Monitor Neutral Profile Correction procedure following the on-screen instructions.