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Variable timing solenoid?

I'm in the process of completing my swap from the 2.3 to the Fusion 2.5... I was wondering what you guys did with the vts? Bobp mentioned that he used the one from the 2.5, which makes sense because the 2.3 one won't fit. However, my Mazda wiring harness won't plug into the new vts? Any input? I'm trying to get this thing back together and on the road again after its been sitting a couple months...
 
It was a 2012 engine, and the only thing that i had to swap was the vvt (vct) solenoid plug. Apparently they changed the solenoid, but operation of it are the same. So, swap the plug out ($20), and good to go. I think it was also used on later 2011 escape engines also.
Looks like The-Kid ran into the same problem... I pm'ed him for more info, but that is what I was guessing I'd have to do. Idk where he got his plug from but I'll probably see if I can go to a junkyard and clip one off a '12 Fusion harness...
 
Looks like The-Kid ran into the same problem... I pm'ed him for more info, but that is what I was guessing I'd have to do. Idk where he got his plug from but I'll probably see if I can go to a junkyard and clip one off a '12 Fusion harness...
Yup, you are right on track. On my first swap with a 2011 Fusion engine, the plug for the oil control solenoid had the same connector as the Mazda. But on the second swap with the 2012 Fusion engine, the oil control solenoid is different and I had to splice the Fusion connector onto my Mazda wiring harness. Luckily, the 2012 engine had the wiring harness attached so I had the plug. The colors of the wires weren't exactly the same but they were close enough that it was easy to tell which went where. I believe orange was the common color.

Even though the 2011 and 2012 oil control solenoids look completely different, they must operate pretty much the same because the car ran great and didn't throw any codes.
 
My 2.5 is from a 2010 Mariner with 36k. I think I'm going to pull the OCS and see if it plugs into my harness.
 
My 2.5 is from a 2010 Mariner with 36k. I think I'm going to pull the OCS and see if it plugs into my harness.
Let us know... From what I have read it seems they changed it in 2012... Also it would be great if someone could find a place to get OEM/aftermarket ones and maybe a part number? I looked a little but haven't had much success yet
 
There is a website that seems to have availability to specific parts and pigtails: https://www.fordparts.com/Products/WireSets-WiringPigtailKits.aspx

If you click on the link that says Wiring Pigtail Kit ID Guide, a couple pages into that PDF there are a ton of pictures of connectors. Maybe Bobp or someone that has this connector could provide a picture. Next, I clicked on Find Parts over to the right, and it let me select the vehicle. Once you're on the page where you can search for parts you need, there's a red box that says something like Need Help Finding The Right Part? and offers a solution for a live chat. They may be able to narrow it down. However, it's past 8pm EST, so I couldn't try it.

That could be useful if junkyards don't produce, or at least get you that part number for reference. If you can match up a picture, the part numbers are listed below each one.
 
I have harness off my 2012 fusion 2.5 if you need plug let me know.
There is a website that seems to have availability to specific parts and pigtails: https://www.fordparts.com/Products/WireSets-WiringPigtailKits.aspx

If you click on the link that says Wiring Pigtail Kit ID Guide, a couple pages into that PDF there are a ton of pictures of connectors. Maybe Bobp or someone that has this connector could provide a picture. Next, I clicked on Find Parts over to the right, and it let me select the vehicle. Once you're on the page where you can search for parts you need, there's a red box that says something like Need Help Finding The Right Part? and offers a solution for a live chat. They may be able to narrow it down. However, it's past 8pm EST, so I couldn't try it.

That could be useful if junkyards don't produce, or at least get you that part number for reference. If you can match up a picture, the part numbers are listed below each one.
I am going in the morning to the junkyard I got the engine from, they said the might have one. If they don't then I will check into these two options...
 
Variable timing solenoid plug

I am going in the morning to the junkyard I got the engine from, they said the might have one. If they don't then I will check into these two options...
Success!!

1) I was able to get the right plug from the junkyard

2) I was able to get the Ford part number

I will post the link for the part as well as pictures so that you guys have something solid to work off of :)

Ford part number WPT-1251
Buy 2012 Ford Fusion Parts | FordParts.com

The old plug and new solenoid...



The new plug...




Hope this helps for future reference!
 
It runs!!

Completed my swap today! Pulled the spark plug connectors and cranked the engine for about 15 seconds to prime the oil and fuel, then plugged them back in. Fired up on the first try! Put about 50 miles on it today, no codes as of yet. Still has a fluctuating idle, but I'll give that some time to adjust. Definitely pleases the butt dyno! I was expecting a little extra power but honestly it outperformed my expectations :) Power band feels solid the whole way through with lots more low end torque than the 2.3. I will try to keep you guys updated as I put more miles on it (which doesn't take long for me, lol), and feel free to ask any questions :)
 
Very nice and congratulations! - isn't that a great feeling when it starts right up?

I'm not sure about the fluctuating idle. I've done two of these now and the idle on both was rock solid.
 
Completed my swap today! Pulled the spark plug connectors and cranked the engine for about 15 seconds to prime the oil and fuel, then plugged them back in. Fired up on the first try! Put about 50 miles on it today, no codes as of yet. Still has a fluctuating idle, but I'll give that some time to adjust. Definitely pleases the butt dyno! I was expecting a little extra power but honestly it outperformed my expectations :) Power band feels solid the whole way through with lots more low end torque than the 2.3. I will try to keep you guys updated as I put more miles on it (which doesn't take long for me, lol), and feel free to ask any questions :)
Congrats! Enjoy the new engine

Idle fluctuations I'd look into intake leaks or zoom resolved most of his issues with replacing the faulty o2 sensor
 
My biggest struggle was vac leaks and other metering issues. The first time I gooped sealant on the top of the mani where it was audibly leaking. The second time I sealed the top half of the mani, off the engine. The last time I made my own gaskets with sealant and that did it. Other than that, my pcv was acting up... Unmetered air. Next was the o2 but mine was on its way out I think. Incorrect metering post combustion. Lastly I'm doing the evap solenoid... Incorrectly metered air. FWIW, sealing the mani was the biggest issue. That was the singular issue that made the idle fluctuate and stumvle the moment I reconnected the battery and cranked it. The others showed themselves with a code 10-150 miles after battery reconnect. Do a smoke test.
 
I'm in the process of completing my swap from the 2.3 to the Fusion 2.5... I was wondering what you guys did with the vts? Bobp mentioned that he used the one from the 2.5, which makes sense because the 2.3 one won't fit. However, my Mazda wiring harness won't plug into the new vts? Any input? I'm trying to get this thing back together and on the road again after its been sitting a couple months...
Update on the issue with 2012+ variable timing solenoids: The valve cover gasket on the 2.3 valve cover does not seal around the solenoid. I did not notice this when installing the valve cover and therefore had oil spraying out of the gap. The solution is either switch the gaskets between the valve covers or switch the valve covers themselves. I decided the switch the valve cover and just put a cap or plug over the extra hole for the 2.5 temp sensor that we don't use.
 
Update on the issue with 2012+ variable timing solenoids: The valve cover gasket on the 2.3 valve cover does not seal around the solenoid. I did not notice this when installing the valve cover and therefore had oil spraying out of the gap. The solution is either switch the gaskets between the valve covers or switch the valve covers themselves. I decided the switch the valve cover and just put a cap or plug over the extra hole for the 2.5 temp sensor that we don't use.
I ran into that issue too. I gently tapped the OCV seal out of the 2.5 valve cover and installed it in the 2.3 cover. It was a pain to do it slowly and carefully enough to save the seal - if I had it to do over again I would buy a new 2.5 seal to save the aggravation.
 
I ran into that issue too. I gently tapped the OCV seal out of the 2.5 valve cover and installed it in the 2.3 cover. It was a pain to do it slowly and carefully enough to save the seal - if I had it to do over again I would buy a new 2.5 seal to save the aggravation.
Yea I fiddled around with the seal a little but didn't wanna risk screwing it up when it was just as feasible to switch the whole cover
 
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