VCT Solenoid replacement same on 2017 and 2018??

[jrny4rbys]

2017 Expedition EL Limited 227K miles

Is the VCT Solenoid replacement process the same on a 2017 3.5L and a 2018 3.5L? I'm getting a slew of codes and I found this wonderful write up by @TLCMccrosky on removing at least one side. I'm going to likely clean/inpect the VCT solenoids as I hear they don't really go bad, but get gunked up then act up.

2018 Expedition VCT Solenoid (Bank 1) Passenger Valve Cover Replacement

Hi all, first post and had a huge amount of difficulties finding information on the web on this, figured I would share my experience DIY for VCT Solenoid replacements. Disclaimer - I'm not a mechanic - and not liable for damages if you do this just like I did - my kids call me mentally...

www.expeditionforum.com

If interested, codes I'm getting are: P0011, P0012, P0021, P0022, P052A, P052B, P052C, P054C (P052D is pending )

Thanks
Josh

 

[S20Workstation4]

Not sure, but most likely not interchangeable.....2017 was 1st gen 3.5 Eco....2018 was 2nd Gen 3.5 Engine.

 

[JasonH]

I did this a few months ago. It's relatively straightforward. Disconnect the wires and sensors on the valve cover, then remove the screws and cover. Once the cover is off you just pull the screw holding the solenoid in. There are instructions on YouTube.

 

[jrny4rbys]

@JasonH May I ask why you did this? Were your codes similar to mine? Mine is running rough at startup but then runs much better once warmed up. And did it solve your issue? I'm at 227K miles, so the other option I suppose is to just jump all the way in and do the entire timing chain.

 

[JasonH]

@JasonH May I ask why you did this? Were your codes similar to mine? Mine is running rough at startup but then runs much better once warmed up. And did it solve your issue? I'm at 227K miles, so the other option I suppose is to just jump all the way in and do the entire timing chain.

Intermittent P0019 code.

Ultimate fix was chain replacement. It was stretched.

 

[S20Workstation4]

I did this a few months ago. It's relatively straightforward. Disconnect the wires and sensors on the valve cover, then remove the screws and cover. Once the cover is off you just pull the screw holding the solenoid in. There are instructions on YouTube.

@jrny4rbys

If you do this replacement, when you remove the solenoid, make sure that you DO NOT DROP the screw when removing, It will fall down into the timing cover/oil pan, and it's game over.
Might as well do a timing job while you're in there fishing for it.....personal experience.....

 

[JasonH]

@jrny4rbys

If you do this replacement, when you remove the solenoid, make sure that you DO NOT DROP the screw when removing, It will fall down into the timing cover/oil pan, and it's game over.
Might as well do a timing job while you're in there fishing for it.....personal experience.....

Seconded. I stuck some shop towels lightly in the space below the solenoids to prevent the screws from dropping into the front cover. Here's what the valvetrain looks like with the cover pulled. You can see the position of the screws for the solenoids.

I forgot to mention it, but you can actually use Forscan to see a parameter called exh_dif_1 or something like that that shows the difference between the requested cam timing and what is actually resulting. Mine was showing a substantial lag on Bank 2 when I was getting the P0019.

If you're going to pull the valve cover, you might want to start with the passenger side. I didn't do it myself since I only had the P0019 code and strongly suspected my chain was done, but you can get a boroscope down into the front cover to see how many teeth are extended on the tensioner. Might save some time and money instead over pulling both covers and replacing random parts.