The Ford 3.5L Ecoboost timing chain and cam phaser service becomes necessary when the following symptoms occur:

Rattle sound coming from the engine on start up, rattle sound coming from engine constantly, and/or when a check engine light is illuminated due to timing codes such as P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018. Most of the time being the P10016 (Crankshaft Position Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor 'A') Poor gas mileage and loss of power can also be a symptom.

The following symptoms occur for a multiple of reasons. 

Chain system: when the primary timing chain stretches causing the engine do go out of time, or when the primary chain tensioner fails and the chain loosens.

Cam phasers: On the later Ecoboost model years, the cam phasers malfunction and the locking mechanism that keeps them in place after the engine shuts off fails causing them to violently rattle until sufficient oil pressure sets them back into place.

Cause

Oil system: The timing system in the Ford Ecoboost engine is oil pressure dependent. Because the engine is turbo charged and direct injected, the oiling system gets heavily taxed more so than a naturally aspirated engine. Long intervals between oil changes especially when towing or hauling (heavy duty use) constantly cause oil galleries to sludge and starve the timing system of oil.

Manufacturer defects: Certain parts of the timing system are bound to fail due to poor initial design and materials. It is very important to install the updated part numbers and to use quality OE parts, or the same issues will surface again. There are many “cheaper” timing kits online that will cause these issues to arise again, and since this is a labour-intensive procedure it isn’t worth cutting costs on parts.

Procedure

This is a lengthy and invasive procedure due to the design of the engine. A great number of parts must be removed to access the timing system, and it differs from the F-150 truck platform to the car platform found on the Ford Flex, Taurus, Explorer etc. Below are the minimum required parts that we supply to complete this job: (additional parts may be required)

Intake Phaser x2, Exhaust Phaser x2, Intake Phaser Bolt x2, Exhaust Phaser Bolt x2, Primary Timing Chain, Timing Chain Tensioner, Intake Gaskets, Valve Cover Gasket Drivers Side, Valve Cover Gasket Passenger Side, High Pressure Fuel Pump O-Ring, High Pressure Fuel Pump Mounting Gasket, High Pressure Fuel Pump bolts x2, Water Pump Gasket, Pump O-Ring, Coolant Inlet Seal, Front Crankshaft Seal, Front Cover Radial Seal, Crankshaft Pulley Bolt, Motorcraft Front Cover Sealant, Motorcraft OAT Coolant 15L, Engine Oil 5w-30 7L.

We have done countless timing chain services on the Ford Ecoboost platform. Please contact the shop for further information and/or to book a service.