NOTE: This repair requires extensive knowledge and experience and is probably best done by a professional ASE certified automotive technician.
The variable valve timing (VVT) camshaft phaser is a sprocket that will alter its position in reference to commands from the PCM for variable valve timing. When this fails, the check engine light is illuminated, the vehicle may run rough, and experience a loss of power along with valve train noise.
This repair should be done by a qualified technician and requires a labor time of, left side or both estimated at 10.2 hrs
Special tools required- Valve Spring Compressor OTC 303-1039 and Timing Chain Wedge OTC 303-1175
Timing chain procedures must be followed exactly or damage to valves and piston will result.
CAUTION: Damage to the phaser sprocket will occur if mishandled or used as a lifting or leveraging device.
1. Position the crankshaft pulley spoke to the 12 o’clock position and the timing mark indentation to the 1 o’clock position.
2. Remove the valve cover.
3. Loosen and back-off the camshaft phaser, sprocket bolt one full turn.
4. Disconnect the camshaft position sensor electrical connector, remove the hold-down bolt and sensor.
Note: If the camshaft lobes are not exactly positioned as shown, the crankshaft will require one full additional rotation.
Right-hand camshaft—-the No. 1 cylinder camshaft exhaust lobe must be coming up on the exhaust stroke. verify by noting the position of the 2 intake camshaft lobes and the exhaust lobe on the No. 1 cylinder.
Left-hand camshaft— the No. 5 cylinder camshaft lobe must be coming up on the exhaust stroke. Verify by noting the position of the 2 intake camshaft lobes and the exhaust lobe on the No. 5 cylinder
5. Remove only the three camshaft roller followers shown in the illustration.
Caution: Do not allow the valve keepers to fall off the valve or they may drop into the cylinder. Roller Followers must be installed in their original locations. It may be necessary to push the valve down while compressing the spring.
After removing the three cam roller followers, rotate the crankshaft clockwise, positioning the crankshaft damper spoke to the 6 o’clock position and the timing mark indentation to the 7 o’clock position.
Timing chain wedge tool
This tool must be installed square to the timing chain and the engine block. Do not remove the tool at any time during servicing. If the tool is removed during assembly, the engine front cover must be removed to retime the engine chain.
6. Scribe marks on camshaft phaser and chain, before removing camshaft.
7. Loosen camshaft bearing cap bolts in sequence. Inspect front thrust bearing cap oil metering groove for foreign debris.
If removing the camshaft do not allow the roller followers to move out of position. All parts removed, bearing caps and rollers need to go back in there original locations.
8. Remove the camshaft phaser. After removing the camshaft phaser sprocket, inspect the sprocket for missing or damaged roll pins. Remove the sprocket from the camshaft, is the location pin deformed or damaged, Replace.
Inspecting the Camshaft Phaser, visually inspect the camshaft phaser and sprocket for squareness. If the trigger wheel or spring is deformed or damaged, install a new camshaft phaser.
When installing the new Camshaft Phaser transfer the original scribe mark to the new camshaft phaser sprocket.
9. Install the camshaft into the camshaft phaser sprocket, lining up the dowel pin and installing the sprocket bolt finger-tight
10. Install the camshaft phaser into position, verify the sprocket and timing chain scribe marks are still in alignment.
11. Lubricate and install the camshaft bearing caps. install the front position cap first, then the remaining caps, installing the bolts loosely.
12. Torque camshaft cap bolts in sequence to 89 Lb-in
13. remove the timing cam wedge tool. Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise half turn, positioning the crankshaft damper spoke at 12 o’clock and the timing mark indentation at 1 o’clock.
verify correct camshaft position-
-Left-hand camshaft position of No. 5 cylinder intake and exhaust lobes
-Right-hand camshaft position of the No. 1 cylinder intake and exhaust camshaft lobes
14. Using the spring compressing tool, install the three originally removed camshaft roller followers
15. Install the CMP sensor and torque bolt to 89 Lb-in. Connect the CMP electrical connector.
16. Use a two-step torque sequence, on the Camshaft Phaser Sprocket Bolt
1. tighten to 30 lb-ft
2. tighten an additional 90 degrees
Replaces Ford part #: 3R2Z-6A257-DA
Application(s):
- Ford Expedition 2005-2011 5.4L V8 24V
- Ford Explorer 2006-2011 4.6L V8 24V
- Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2007-2010 4.6L V8 24V
- Ford F150 2004-2011 5.4L V8 24V
- Ford F150 2009-2011 4.6L V8 24V
- Ford F250 Super Duty 2005-2010 5.4L V8 24V
- Ford F350 Super Duty 2005-2010 5.4L V8 24V
- Ford F450 Super Duty 2005-2010 5.4L V8 24V
- Ford F550 Super Duty 2005-2010 5.4L V8 24V
- Ford Mustang 2005-2010 4.6L V8 24V
- Lincoln Navigator 2005-2011 5.4L V8 24V
- Mercury Mountaineer 2006-2011 4.6L V8 24V