Ford Explorer Quiz
Powertrain

Removal and Installation - Camshafts

In this manual: Powertrain
General Information — 41Chassis — 173Powertrain — 250Electrical — 303Body and Paint — 331
32steps
~202min
5/5difficulty
2special tools
0102030405075N·mlb·ft
Tightening torque found on this page
Done 0 of 32

Special Service Tools / General Equipment

303-1685
Camshaft Alignment Tool
303-507
Timing Pin, Crankshaft TDC
TKIT-2001N-FLM
TKIT-2001N-RYAD
Feeler gauge

Removal

  1. Position the vehicle in NEUTRAL on the lift.
    Refer to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview (100-02 Jacking and Lifting, Description and Operation).
  2. Relieve the fuel system pressure.
    Refer to: Fuel System Pressure Release (310-00A Fuel System - General Information — 2.3 L EcoBoost (201 kW/273 L hp), General Procedures).
    • If the camshafts are being removed to service other components, remove the timing chain.
      Refer to: Timing Chain (Engine 303-01A — 2.3 L EcoBoost (201 kW/273 L hp), Removal and Installation).
    • If the camshafts are being replaced, remove the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) units.
      Refer to: Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) Unit (Engine 303-01A — 2.3 L EcoBoost (201 kW/273 L hp), Removal and Installation).
  4. Special Service Tool Removal: 303-1685 Camshaft Alignment Tool.
  5. Remove the bolts and the VCT oil control solenoids.
  6. Remove the bolts and the front camshaft cover.

  7. NOTICE: Failure to follow the camshaft loosening procedure may damage the camshafts.

    • Loosen the camshaft bearing caps in sequence, 2 turns at a time, until all tension is released from the camshaft bearing caps. Remove the bolts, caps and camshafts.
    • Inspect the camshaft bores for scratches that can be felt with a finger.

Installation

  1. NOTICE: If any new components (cylinder head, valves, lifters, camshafts) are installed, the valve clearance must be checked. Follow the next 17 steps exactly, otherwise serious engine damage may occur. If original components are installed, valve clearance checking is not required; go to step 18.

    Install the crankshaft bolt and washer, and paint-mark the crankshaft bolt at the 12 o'clock position.
  2. Remove the special service tool: 303-507 Camshaft/Crankshaft TDC Pin.
  3. Using the crankshaft bolt and a washer, rotate the crankshaft clockwise 270 degrees until the paint mark is at the 9 o'clock position.

  4. NOTICE: Failure to follow the camshaft tightening procedure may damage the camshafts.

    • Lubricate the camshafts, camshaft journals and camshaft bearing caps with clean engine oil, then install them.
    • Install the camshaft bearing caps and bolts.
    • Tighten in sequence, 2 turns at a time, in 2 stages.
      Torque:
      Stage 1: 62 lb-in (7 N·m)
      Stage 2: 142 lb-in (16 N·m)

  5. NOTICE: The camshaft seal gaps must be at the 12 o'clock position, otherwise engine damage may occur.

    Inspect and position the camshaft seal gaps at the 12 o'clock position, as shown in the illustration.
  6. Lubricate the camshaft journals with clean engine oil.
  7. Install the camshaft cover and bolts.
    Torque:
    Stage 1: 62 lb-in (7 N·m)
    Stage 2: 142 lb-in (16 N·m)

  8. NOTICE: Do not remove the spark plugs when the engine is hot or cold-soaked. This may cause damage to the spark plug threads or the cylinder head. Make sure the engine is warm (touch-warm to the hand) before removing the spark plugs.

    NOTICE: Dropping a spark plug may cause internal damage to it. If dropped, the spark plug must be discarded. Using a damaged spark plug may cause cylinder misfire, which can result in engine damage.

    Remove the spark plugs.
    1. Using the camshaft flats, rotate the camshaft to place the cam lobe on the base circle so that the lobe points away from the tappet.
    1. Using a feeler gauge, measure the clearance of each valve and record its position.
      Use general equipment: Feeler Gauge
    1. Repeat to measure all cam/tappet clearances.
  10. Valve Lifter Assembly Classification Table
    1. Rating
    1. Identification Mark
    1. Thickness (mm)
    • Intake: 0.25 mm (0.0095 in).
    • Exhaust: 0.36 mm (0.0142 in).
    • Intake: 0.19-0.31 mm (0.0075-0.0122 in).
    • Exhaust: 0.30-0.42 mm (0.0118-0.0165 in).
    Select the tappet size closest to the ideal available tappet thickness and mark the installation location.
  12. Install the spark plugs.
    Torque: 106 lb-in (12 N·m)
  13. Remove the bolts and the front camshaft cover.

  14. NOTICE: Failure to follow the camshaft loosening procedure may damage the camshafts.

    Loosen the camshaft bearing caps in sequence, 2 turns at a time, until all tension is released from the camshaft bearing caps. Remove the bolts, caps and camshafts.
    • Install the special service tool: 303-507 Timing Pin, Crankshaft TDC.
  16. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise 90 degrees until the crankshaft contacts the crankshaft pin.
  17. Replace and lubricate the lifters as necessary. Select the correct lifters when checking valve clearances.

  18. NOTICE: Install the camshafts with the locating slots aligned so the camshaft alignment plate can be installed without rotating the camshafts. Make sure the lobes on the No. 1 cylinder are in the same position as during removal. Rotating the camshafts with the timing chain removed, or installing the camshafts 180 degrees out of position, may cause serious damage to the valves and pistons.

    NOTICE: Failure to follow the camshaft tightening procedure may damage the camshafts.

    • Lubricate the camshaft, camshaft journals and camshaft bearing caps with clean engine oil.
    • Install the camshafts, caps and bolts, and tighten the camshaft bearing cap bolts one turn at a time until hand-tight.
      Torque:
      Stage 1: 62 lb-in (7 N·m)
      Stage 2: 142 lb-in (16 N·m)

  19. NOTICE: The camshaft seal gaps must be at the 12 o'clock position, otherwise engine damage may occur.

    Inspect and position the camshaft seal gaps at the 12 o'clock position, as shown in the illustration.
  20. Lubricate the camshaft journals with clean engine oil.
  21. Install the camshaft cover and bolts.
    Torque:
    Stage 1: 62 lb-in (7 N·m)
    Stage 2: 142 lb-in (16 N·m)
  22. Install the VCT oil control solenoids and bolts.
    Torque: 97 lb-in (11 N·m)

  23. NOTICE: The camshaft alignment tool is for alignment only. Using this tool to prevent engine rotation may result in engine damage.

    Install the special tool into the slots on the rear side of the camshafts.
    Install the special service tool: 303-1685 Camshaft Alignment Tool.
    • If the camshafts were removed to service other components, install the timing chain.
      Refer to: Timing Chain (303-01A Engine — 2.3 L EcoBoost (201 kW/273 L PS), Removal and Installation).
    • If the camshafts were replaced, install the VCT units.
      Refer to: Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) Unit (303-01A Engine — 2.3 L EcoBoost (201 kW/273 L PS), Removal and Installation).
  25. Build up fuel system pressure.
    Refer to: Fuel System Pressure Release (310-00A Fuel System — General Information — 2.3 L EcoBoost (201 kW/273 L PS), General Procedures).

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