How to remove the VCT solenoids from 2018 F150

Check if your oil dip stick tube it holding it on. You may need to remove the dip stick tube first.

In your picture, the coils are still attached?

The coils were removed after that photo. Yes, I did remove the dipstick. I don't want to pry on the valve cover too hard, as I am afraid it will break. I've even tried prying it up with a small flat bar.

Is it loose on the other end away from the solenoids?

Or has it not budged anywhere all the way around?

2 kinds of stuck, if you know what I mean?

Just to confirm, you removed the TUBE the dipstick goes into?

Truckjunky87 said:

Just to confirm, you removed the TUBE the dipstick goes into?

Click to expand...

No I didn't. I cannot; there is only a plastic protrusion molded into the valve cover for my dipstick.

Did you ever get it off? They can be stuck on there real good. 11 bolts and 3 coils.

The answer to your question, though, is no. Those protrusions from the valve cover are the top of the solenoid connection and cannot be removed until the valve cover is removed. They are an integrated part of the whole VVT solenoid.

snakebitten said:

Is it loose on the other end away from the solenoids?

Or has it not budged anywhere all the way around?

2 kinds of stuck, if you know what I mean?

Click to expand...

It has barely budged, though is opening from the bottom slightly more than from the top.

Do the solenoid and spark plug seals all come out from the outside or interior of the valve cover? At the least I wonder if I could replace them with the valve cover still attached.