OEM 2003 Toyota Matrix Cylinder Head Gasket

2003 Toyota Matrix Cylinder Head Gasket Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to Replace a Cylinder Head Gasket on 2003 Toyota Matrix?

  A: Before commencing the cylinder head gasket replacement you must avoid fuel spillage followed by removing the engine under cover RH and draining coolant flow. Begin by detaching the front wheel right-hand side and then proceed to remove cylinder head cover No.2 through the removal of two nuts and two clips and the subsequent removal of the cover. Start by loosening the 2 clamp bolts of the air cleaner hose followed by removing the hose so you can separate the accelerator control cable assembly from its bracket by detaching it with a nut loose. Extract the water by-pass hoses from the throttle body space prior to taking off the EFI fuel pipe clamp so technicians can pull the fuel tube sub-assembly (SST 09268-21010) and union to connector tube hose. Free the inlet side of the radiator hose at the cylinder head and remove the heater inlet water hose from its position. Tighten the V-ribbed belt tensioner clockwise to obtain V-belt looseness before you separate the vane pump assembly from its position and keep a hold on the hose. First remove the two bolts and compression springs to detach the generator assembly and exhaust pipe assembly front before taking out the gasket. To remove the engine mounting insulator sub-assembly on the right-hand side begin by moving the PS oil pump reservoir out of the way followed by inserting a wooden block between the jack and engine before uninstalling the 4 bolts and 2 nuts. Unplug the engine wire through the removal of five clamps followed by disconnecting four ignition coil connectors together with the removal of a bolt and a nut. Begin the ignition coil assembly removal by first detaching ventilation hoses from the cylinder head cover then disconnecting the ignition coil assembly by taking off the 4 bolts and coils. Remove the cylinder head cover sub-assembly through the sequence of taking off the 9 bolts along with 2 seal washers and 2 nuts and 3 clamp brackets. Quicken No. 1 cylinder to TDC/compression by rotating the crankshaft pulley until its timing mark lines up with "0" and confirm alignment between the camshaft timing sprocket point mark and the VVT timing sprocket point mark. SST 09960-10010 (09962-01000, 09963-01000) combined with the V-ribbed belt tensioner assembly enables you to remove the crankshaft pulley. You need to remove the water pump assembly along with the transverse engine mounting bracket through the process of unbolted 3 screws. Rephrase the sequence by removing the crank position sensor along with assembly No.1 and chain tensioner, confirm the crankshaft remains stationary throughout this process. The sub-assembly of timing chain or belt cover can be removed after taking out the 11 bolts and nuts while using a torx wrench socket (E8) to unfasten the stud bolt followed by carefully prying the cover off. Proceed to remove the timing gear cover oil seal along with crankshaft position sensor plate No.1 before taking off chain tensioner slipper and chain vibration damper No.1. The timing chain requires screwdriver assistance for removal while you must protect both the engine and prevent valves from touching pistons during this process. You need to disconnect the two water hoses and two vacuum hoses before removing the four bolts, two nuts and two wire brackets to take off the intake manifold while also removing the gasket. Begin by taking out the water by-pass pipe No.1 and then discarding the oil level gauge sub-assembly and its guide. You should disconnect the camshaft by unscrewing and taking out the 19 bearing cap bolts followed by the 9 bearing caps. The technician needs to remove the camshaft timing oil control valve assembly and manifold stay but follow the 2WD or 4WD drive type-specific instructions. You should remove the cylinder head sub-assembly through skillful median tightening of its 10 cylinder head bolts alongside plate washers which then enables removal of both the cylinder head and gasket. The new cylinder head gasket must be installed on the cylinder block surface with the Lot No. stamp facing upward while keeping the correct mounting direction and paying attention to positioning the cylinder head. The maximum length of cylinder set bolts should be checked during inspection while replacing any bolts that exceed this limit. The cylinder head sub-assembly installation requires engine oil on the bolts followed by sequential tightening and front bolt identification and a final retightening step at 90°. The manifold stay needs to be installed in accordance with drive type specifications but before that the camshaft timing oil control valve assembly must be attached with an O-ring and then followed by the camshaft application using the specified lubrication method and tightening order. After fitting water by-pass pipe No.1 and oil level gauge guide using new O-rings the technician should place the intake manifold with its new gasket before making certain all connections are secure. Reposition the No.1 cylinder to TDC/compression before installing the timing chain and chain vibration damper together with the tensioner slipper according to the specified torque specifications. Put the crankshaft position sensor plate No.1 into position along with the timing gear cover oil seal but run the installation for the oil seal properly. Seal packing must be used to install the timing chain or belt cover sub-assembly where all bolts and nuts require their specified torque values. Directional installation of components involves the chain tensioner assembly together with crank position sensor and transverse engine mounting bracket and water pump assembly and V-ribbed belt tensioner assembly at their specified torque values. Complete the installation of the crankshaft pulley with correct alignment before placing the cylinder head cover sub-assembly with seal packing and finally the ignition coil assembly using engine wire and engine mounting insulator sub-assembly RH. The procedure includes reinstalling the exhaust pipe assembly front along with the vane pump assembly and generator assembly and cylinder head cover No.2 before reinstalling the front wheel RH while adding coolant for final inspections on compression, CO/HC and ignition timing and leak checks.