Ford Explorer, Maintaince And Repair Manual, Page: 341 / 1119

Refill and bleed the cooling system. 23.
Connect the negative battery cable, start the engine and check for leaks. 24.
Cylinder Head
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
Before installing the cylinder heads, have them cleaned and professionally checked. If there is a
problem, generally, it will not go away by simply installing new gaskets. Cylinder heads can and do
warp, which is the major cause of gasket failure. This is usually due to overheating.
2.3L and 2.5L Engine
Disconnect the negative battery cable. 1.
Drain cooling system. 2.
CAUTION
When draining the coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are attracted by ethylene glycol antifreeze, and are
quite likely to drink any that is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove
fatal in sufficient quantity. Always drain the coolant into a sealable container. Coolant should be reused unless
it is contaminated or several years old.
Remove air cleaner assembly. 3.
Remove the heater hose−to−valve cover retaining screws. 4.
Remove the spark plugs. 5.
Label and disconnect all of the upper engine components and alternator wiring harnesses. 6.
Label and remove the spark plug wires. 7.
Disconnect the Exhaust Gas Oxygen (EGO) sensor at the exhaust manifold. 8.
Disconnect required vacuum hoses. 9.
Remove dipstick tube and bracket. 10.
Remove rocker retaining bolts and remove cover. 11.
Remove intake manifold retaining bolts. 12.
Loosen alternator retaining bolts and remove belt from the pulley. Remove mounting bracket
retaining bolts to the head. 13.
Disconnect the upper radiator hose at both ends and remove from the vehicle. 14.
Remove the timing belt cover bolts and remove the cover. For power steering−equipped vehicles,
unbolt the power steering pump bracket and position it off to the side. 15.
Loosen the timing belt idler retaining bolts. Position idler in the unloaded position and tighten the
retaining bolts. 16.
Remove the timing belt from the cam pulley and auxiliary pulley. 17.
Remove four nuts and/or stud bolts retaining heat stove to exhaust manifold. 18.
Remove the eight exhaust manifold retaining bolts. 19.
Remove the timing belt idler and two bracket bolts. 20.
Remove the timing belt idler spring stop from the cylinder head. 21.
Disconnect the oil sending unit lead wire. 22.
Remove the cylinder head retaining bolts. 23.
Remove the cylinder head. 24.
Clean the cylinder head, intake manifold and exhaust manifold gasket surfaces. 25.
Blow oil out of the cylinder head bolt block hoses. 26.
Clean valve cover gasket surface on the head. 27.
Check cylinder head for flatness. 28.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
334 Cylinder Head