OEM 2001 Toyota Highlander Camshaft

2001 Toyota Highlander Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace the camshaft on 2001 Toyota Highlander?

  A: The process starts by removing the front wheel RH then continuing with front fender splash shield front RH [53895B] followed by front fender apron seal RH [53736]. Subsequently, extract engine cover sub-assy No.1 [12601B / 98-5 along with ignition coil assy [19500 / 98-34] before removing ventilation hose [12261 / 98-12] and ventilation hose No.2 [12262 / 98-12]. The procedure starts with disconnection of the engine wire harness clamp and removal of bolts, 2 nuts and cylinder head cover sub-assy [11201 / 98-5] along with its gasket. Begin by aligning the timing mark "0" of the timing chain cover with the crankshaft pulley groove which puts the No.1 cylinder at TDC/compression while the camshaft timing sprockets match bearing cap timing marks. Add a set of corresponding marks to the timing chain together with the camshaft timing sprocket. Detach the chain tensioner assembly referred to as 13540 / 98-14 by removing both nuts, timing chain tensioner, and gasket while maintaining the crankshaft stationary without the tensioner. Use a wrench to fix No.2 camshaft [13512 / 98-14] while loosening its camshaft timing gear set bolt and uninstalling camshaft bearing cap bolts in specified order. The camshaft requires elevation to extract the set bolt and timing gear and chain before the camshaft timing. The camshaft [13511 / 98-14] must have its bearing cap bolts tightened following a specific order until the intake camshaft can be removed while using a string to tie the timing chain and prevent loss inside the timing chain cover. The procedure requires fixing the No. 1 camshaft to a vise and placing vinyl tape over paths while applying air pressure to the oil path to turn the camshaft timing gear assembly counterclockwise before removing the camshaft timing gear assembly [13050 / 98-14]. The fringe bolt of the camshaft timing gear assembly must be unscrewed while leaving other bolts in place. Install the camshaft timing gear assy [13050 / 98-14] while maintaining it aligned with the camshaft and turning it left while pressing it gently against the camshaft before confirming that no space exists between the gear's fringe and the camshaft then perform fringe bolt tightening to 54 Nm (551 kgf-cm, 40 ft. lbs.). Install the camshaft [13511 / 98-14] by setting the timing chain on the camshaft timing gear then torques all bolts in a specific order to Bearing cap No. 1 30 Nm (301 kgf-cm, 22 ft. lbs.) and Bearing cap No. 3 9.0 Nm (92 kgf-cm, 80 inch lbs.). Place No.2 camshaft [13512 / 98-14] onto the cylinder head before using a set bolt for temporary tightening and proceeding to tighten the specified bolts with identical torque values as before. The technician should first fix the camshaft following bolt torquing to 54 Nm (551 kgf-cm, 40 ft. lbs.) while maintaining safe handling of the valve lifter and verifying match marks between the timing chain and camshaft timing sprockets. You must install the chain tensioner assembly [13540 / 98-14] by operating the ratchet pawl to release it while pushing in the plunger before hooking the pin with the assembly. Replace the gasket along with the chain tensioner assembly by tightening both nuts to 9.0 Nm (92 kgf-cm, 80 inch lbs.). To open the plunger knock pin from the hook rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise but clockwise motion will verify plunger has pushed the slipper. Run a torque wrench on bolt 'A' to 11 Nm (110 kgf-cm / 8 ft-lbs) while treating bolt 'B' to 14 Nm (143 kgf-cm / 10 ft-lbs), then tighten nut 'A' also to 11 Nm (110 kgf-cm / 8 ft-lbs). Install the cylinder head cover sub-assy [11201 / 98-5] after applying equivalent seal packing Part No. 08826-00080 or equivalent to two specified points and ensuring a 5-minute installation time and abstaining from adding engine oil Reinstall the front wheel RH after tightening it to 103 Nm and inspect for oil leakage. Then complete the installation of the ignition coil assy [19500 / 98-34] with 9.0 Nm (92 kgf-cm and 80 inch lbs.) torque.