OEM 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Timing Cover

2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Timing Cover Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to Service and Repair the Engine Front Timing Cover on 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?

  A: First service and repair the engine front cover by removing the battery ground cable then purging the cooling system. The repair of the engine front cover begins with removing the crankshaft front seal and disconnecting the wiring harness bracket from the front cover. Next, follow by taking out the five oil pan-to-front cover bolts. First disconnect the lower radiator hose then remove the bolt of the drive belt tensioner before removing the heater hose from near the coolant pump. The maintenance begins with removing power from the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor electrical connector and generator electrical connectors and the wiring harness retainer. To start the engine replacement process you must remove three generator bracket bolts alongside the generator bracket before taking away the coil bracket-to-left-hand (LH) accessory drive bracket bolt and the four bolts holding the LH accessory drive bracket. First disconnect the upper radiator hose and heater hose while detaching their connections to the thermostat housing. Afterwards disconnect the ECT sensor electrical connector and discard the wiring harness retainers of the CKP sensor. Start by untightening the bypass hose clamp from the coolant pump side before taking out the three housing bolts that secure the thermostat. Pay attention to the stud bolt positions before removing the ten bolts and engine front cover and gasket which you need to discard. When installing the gasket-free pieces the silicone gasket remover must be used to clean and inspect mating surfaces while employing a plastic scraping tool instead of metal scrapers or abrasive tools. The front cover gasket requires placement on the installation surface while silicone gasket and sealant needs application between the oil pan and engine block surfaces together with the front cover in two designated areas. The engine front cover must be positioned correctly before securing the ten bolts which need to be tightened to 19 Nm (14 lb-ft). The three thermostat housing bolts need to be tightened to 8 lb-ft (11 Nm) before installing the bypass hose clamp then adding the upper radiator hose and heater hose to the thermostat housing. The first step involves winding the ECT sensor electrical connector followed by installing new wiring harness retainers and placing the CKP sensor wiring until the CKP sensor electrical connector can be attached. First fit the LH accessory drive bracket followed by installation of its four bolts and torque application to 42 Nm (31 lb-ft). You should install the ignition coil bracket-to-LH accessory drive bracket bolt at 10 Nm (89 lb-in) torque setting before placing the generator bracket with bolt torques set to 42 Nm (31 lb-ft). Attach the generator electrical connectors followed by installation of the wiring harness retainer which should be tightened to 9 Nm (80 lb-in). The next step involves connecting the heater hose to the coolant pump. The accessory drive belt tensioner installation requires you to add the bolt followed by bolt torque at 47 Nm (35 lb-ft). Attach the lower radiator hose followed by installation of the five cylinder block cradle-to-front cover bolts with a torque of 14 Nm (10 lb-ft). Afterward position the wiring harness bracket and install its nut which requires 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) torque. The last step includes installation of the crankshaft front seal followed by reconnecting the ground cable from the battery and completing the engine coolant fluid level.