Timing chain cover — removal and installation Ford F150
Warning: Wait until the engine is completely cool before beginning this procedure.
Note: The timing chain cover is also referred to as the engine front cover.
Removal
1. Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal (see Engine electrical systems).
2. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands, then remove the skid plates and splash shields, if equipped.
3. Drain the engine oil and remove the oil filter (see Tune-up and routine maintenance).
4. Drain the cooling system (see Tune-up and routine maintenance).
5. Remove the expansion tank (see Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems).
6. Remove the drivebelts (see Tune-up and routine maintenance), the drivebelt idler pulleys from the timing chain cover and the water pump pulley (see Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems).
7. Remove the crankshaft pulley and front oil seal (see Crankshaft pulley and front oil seal – removal and installation).
8. Remove both valve covers (see Valve covers – removal and installation).
9. Remove the fasteners for the transmission cooler line brackets and secure the cooler lines out of the way.
10. Disconnect the EVAP canister purge valve electrical connector (see Emissions and engine control systems). Remove the nut from the ground strap stud and disconnect the ground strap, then remove the harness retainers along the perimeter of the cover and secure the harness out of the way.
11. Remove the alternator (see Engine electrical systems).
12. Remove the thermostat housing and water pump (see Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems).
13. Remove the throttle body (see Fuel and exhaust systems).
14. Disconnect the wiring harness retainers attached to the oil pan rail and move the harnesses out of the way.
15. Remove the four oil pan-to-timing chain cover bolts (see Oil pan – removal and installation).
Note: Two of the fasteners are stud bolts; be sure to note their locations.
Timing chain cover bolt tightening sequence — Bolt A is the location of the lack screw and oil filter adapter bolt
16. Remove the engine oil filter adapter bolt from the front cover («A» in illustration). With the adapter bolt removed, use a 10 mm hex bit and remove the oil filter jack screw from the same hole location.
17. Remove the timing chain cover-toengine block bolts. Note the locations of studs and different-length bolts so they can be reinstalled in their original locations.
Separate the chain cover the engine, a soft-faced if necessary break the seal
18. Separate the timing chain cover from the engine block. If it’s stuck, tap it gently with a soft-face hammer to break the gasket bond.
Caution: DO NOT use excessive force or you may crack the cover. If the cover is difficult to remove, make sure all of the bolts and studs have been removed.
19. Remove the timing chain cover-to-cylinder block dowels.
Installation
20. Clean the mating surfaces of the timing chain cover, engine block and cylinder heads to remove all traces of old gasket material, oil and dirt.
Caution: Be careful when cleaning any of the aluminum components. Use of a metal scraper could cause scratches or gouges that could lead to an oil leak later.
21. Insert the front cover dowels into the cylinder block.
Install the new gaskets into the grooves in the back of the timing chain cover
22. Install new gaskets into the grooves of the timing chain cover.
Apply a bead of RTV sealant to the mating junctions of the oil pan-to-engine block and cylinder head-to-engine block
23. Apply a 1/8-inch bead of RTV sealant to the junctions of the oil pan-to-engine block and the cylinder head-to-engine block (see illustration). Apply a small dab of RTV where the timing chain cover and engine block meet, and where the timing chain cover and cylinder heads meet at the valve cover surfaces.
24. Lubricate the timing chains and the lip of the crankshaft front oil seal with clean engine oil.
25. From the back side of the cover, locate the VCT pins and depress them until they are flush with the cover.
Warning: The VCT variable force solenoid pins must be fully depressed to avoid interference with the VCT valve tips. If the tips are not depressed, severe engine damage can occur.
Timing chain cover bolt tightening sequence — Bolt A is the location of the lack screw and oil filter adapter bolt
26. Install the timing chain cover on the engine, within five minutes of applying the RTV sealant. Position the bottom/front edge of the timing chain cover flush with the front edge of the oil pan and tilt the top of the cover into place against the engine. Do not press the cover straight in against the engine or the sealant may be scraped off the front of the oil pan and cause a leak. Tighten the timing chain cover-to-engine block bolts and cover-to-oil pan bolts in the recommended sequence (see illustration) to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
27. Install the remaining parts in the reverse order of removal.
28. Add the proper type and quantity of engine oil and refill the cooling system (see Tune-up and routine maintenance). Run the engine and check for leaks.