OEM 2003 Toyota Camry Camshaft

2003 Toyota Camry Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace the camshaft on 2003 Toyota Camry?

  A: The camshaft replacement procedure begins with removing the front wheel RH followed by the front fender apron seal RH then the engine cover sub-assy No.1 and ignition coil assy and disconnecting ventilation hoses and engine wire. Start by disconnecting the engine wire harness clamp before taking out the bolts and 2 nuts from the cylinder head cover sub-assy and gasket and cylinder head cover. You should locate Timing Mark "0" on the crankshaft pulley groove while adjusting No.1 cylinder to TDC position and position the camshaft timing sprocket marks to match the bearing cap. The first step requires placing match marks on both the timing chain and camshaft timing sprocket followed by a proper sequence of removing 2 nuts and the timing chain tensioner assembly together with its gasket while maintaining the crankshaft still. The procedure to remove No.2 camshaft includes using a wrench to secure the camshaft then loosening the camshaft timing gear set bolt followed by sequential removal of camshaft bearing cap bolts in the correct order. Lift the camshaft while you take off the set bolt along with timing gear. The camshaft bearing cap bolts need specific sequence loosening to remove the intake camshaft while timing chain should be secured with a string. Before unmounting the camshaft timing gear assembly users should place No. 1 camshaft in a vise then wrap the paths with vinyl tape before applying air pressure into the oil path and performing a counterclockwise turn of the assembly. The fringe bolt of the camshaft timing gear assembly needs removal but all other 4 bolts must stay intact. To set up the camshaft timing gear assembly install it over the camshaft then turn it to the left under light pressure before testing that the gear fringe and camshaft have no space and tightening the fringe bolt to 54 Nm (551 kgf-cm, 40 ft. lbs.). To install the timing chain on the camshaft timing gear set the user must first align painted links with timing marks and then tighten bolts according to specified torque values. You should start by matching the painted chain links with the timing mark and followed by temporary bolt tightening and finish with sequence bolt tightening for No.2 camshaft installation. Tighten the camshaft timing gear set bolt to 54 Nm (551 kgf-cm, 40 ft. lbs.) while paying attention to the valve lifter. To start the installation of chain tensioner No.1, first release the ratchet pawl, then push in the plunger and attach the hook onto the pin before you install the new gasket and the chain tensioner using two nuts torqued to 9.0 Nm (92 kgf-cm, 80 inch lbs.). After cleaning existing seal packing from the cylinder head cover sub-assy installation areas, apply new Part No. 08826-00080 or equivalent seal packing to specified locations before tightening it with 8 bolts and 2 nuts to 11 Nm (110 kgf-cm, 8 ft. lbs.), and reconnect the engine wire, install the ignition coil assy torqued to 9.0 Nm (92 kgf-cm, 80 inch lbs.), reinstall the front wheel RH torqued to 103 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.), and inspect for oil leaks.