Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2008 Ford Explorer 4WD V8-4.6LFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
System Specifications
Cylinder Head Bolts
CAUTION: The cylinder head bolts must be discarded and new bolts installed. They are a tighten-to-yield design and cannot be reused.
First pass 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
Second pass Tighten an additional 90°
Final pass Tighten an additional 90°
Cylinder Head Gasket Surface Flatness
The cylinder heads must not have depressions deeper than 0.0254 mm (0.001 in) across a 38.1 mm (1.5 in) square area, or scratches longer than 0.0254 mm (0.001 in).
Intake Manifold Bolts
First pass 2 Nm (18 lb-in).
Final pass 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
Throttle Body Bolts 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
Camshaft Phaser Sprocket Bolts
Discard the bolts.
First pass 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
Final pass Tighten an additional 90°
Exhaust Manifold Studs 12 Nm (9 lb-ft).
Discard the studs.
Exhaust Manifold Nuts 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
Discard the nuts.
CAUTION: The cylinder head bolts must be discarded and new bolts installed. They are a tighten-to-yield design and cannot be reused.
First pass 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
Second pass Tighten an additional 90°
Final pass Tighten an additional 90°
Cylinder Head Gasket Surface Flatness
The cylinder heads must not have depressions deeper than 0.0254 mm (0.001 in) across a 38.1 mm (1.5 in) square area, or scratches longer than 0.0254 mm (0.001 in).
Intake Manifold Bolts
First pass 2 Nm (18 lb-in).
Final pass 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
Throttle Body Bolts 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
Camshaft Phaser Sprocket Bolts
Discard the bolts.
First pass 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
Final pass Tighten an additional 90°
Exhaust Manifold Studs 12 Nm (9 lb-ft).
Discard the studs.
Exhaust Manifold Nuts 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
Discard the nuts.
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Disclosure: Verified tool recommendations may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.