Replacing timing cover
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 124
Likes: 8
From: Michigan
Replacing timing cover
2009 F150 Screw 4.6l 3v 133k miles
So I broke a boss for an idler pulley last Saturday so I'm in the planning phases of buying the parts/tools required to swap this out. I do not believe I have the symptoms of a loose timing chain, nor the idle/power issues caused by bad VCT solenoids nor any timing related noises. I've watched (and have favorite'd) the FordTechMaco youtube video series on replacing the chain and phasers since he does an outstanding job, but one thing I cannot determine is:
Do I really need to remove the valve covers or can this job be done without removing them?
From the looks of it the timing cover kinda slides between the front edge of the oil pan and both valve covers. I'd rather not have to fully remove them since I'm not planning on doing phasers, VCT or chains.. is it just easier if I do so?
So I broke a boss for an idler pulley last Saturday so I'm in the planning phases of buying the parts/tools required to swap this out. I do not believe I have the symptoms of a loose timing chain, nor the idle/power issues caused by bad VCT solenoids nor any timing related noises. I've watched (and have favorite'd) the FordTechMaco youtube video series on replacing the chain and phasers since he does an outstanding job, but one thing I cannot determine is:
Do I really need to remove the valve covers or can this job be done without removing them?
From the looks of it the timing cover kinda slides between the front edge of the oil pan and both valve covers. I'd rather not have to fully remove them since I'm not planning on doing phasers, VCT or chains.. is it just easier if I do so?
5 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 11
From: Calgary
2009 F150 Screw 4.6l 3v 133k miles
So I broke a boss for an idler pulley last Saturday so I'm in the planning phases of buying the parts/tools required to swap this out. I do not believe I have the symptoms of a loose timing chain, nor the idle/power issues caused by bad VCT solenoids nor any timing related noises. I've watched (and have favorite'd) the FordTechMaco youtube video series on replacing the chain and phasers since he does an outstanding job, but one thing I cannot determine is:
Do I really need to remove the valve covers or can this job be done without removing them?
From the looks of it the timing cover kinda slides between the front edge of the oil pan and both valve covers. I'd rather not have to fully remove them since I'm not planning on doing phasers, VCT or chains.. is it just easier if I do so?
So I broke a boss for an idler pulley last Saturday so I'm in the planning phases of buying the parts/tools required to swap this out. I do not believe I have the symptoms of a loose timing chain, nor the idle/power issues caused by bad VCT solenoids nor any timing related noises. I've watched (and have favorite'd) the FordTechMaco youtube video series on replacing the chain and phasers since he does an outstanding job, but one thing I cannot determine is:
Do I really need to remove the valve covers or can this job be done without removing them?
From the looks of it the timing cover kinda slides between the front edge of the oil pan and both valve covers. I'd rather not have to fully remove them since I'm not planning on doing phasers, VCT or chains.. is it just easier if I do so?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 191
Likes: 50
Hmmm... I've done several of the 5.4s but never the 4.6 and I've not tried that. There are a few bolts at the front of the valve covers that will have to come out and a few sealant joints that you'd need to clean up and re-seal but that's no big deal. Gasket shouldn't be a problem. Just sitting here I can't think of any obvious reasons why it wouldn't work. Might try going in that way first and see what you run into. Can always back off and just pull them if you have to.
Either way it's a lot of work. If it were the earlier 5.4 then I'd say for sure just pull it all and do everything while you're in there but I don't know whether the later production 4.6s are as much of a mess as far as tensioners, pump, etc.
Either way it's a lot of work. If it were the earlier 5.4 then I'd say for sure just pull it all and do everything while you're in there but I don't know whether the later production 4.6s are as much of a mess as far as tensioners, pump, etc.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 124
Likes: 8
From: Michigan
Hmmm... I've done several of the 5.4s but never the 4.6 and I've not tried that. There are a few bolts at the front of the valve covers that will have to come out and a few sealant joints that you'd need to clean up and re-seal but that's no big deal. Gasket shouldn't be a problem. Just sitting here I can't think of any obvious reasons why it wouldn't work. Might try going in that way first and see what you run into. Can always back off and just pull them if you have to.
Either way it's a lot of work. If it were the earlier 5.4 then I'd say for sure just pull it all and do everything while you're in there but I don't know whether the later production 4.6s are as much of a mess as far as tensioners, pump, etc.
Either way it's a lot of work. If it were the earlier 5.4 then I'd say for sure just pull it all and do everything while you're in there but I don't know whether the later production 4.6s are as much of a mess as far as tensioners, pump, etc.
They don't seem to be, from the videos I've seen which all seem to center around the 5.4's. But yeah hopefully at most I might need to loosen the bolts enough to pry the front lips of the covers up a 1/4 of an inch.