OEM 2004 Toyota RAV4 Timing Chain

2004 Toyota RAV4 Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to remove and replace the timing chain on 2004 Toyota RAV4?

  A: A technician must start by draining engine oil before proceeding to eliminate the RH engine under cover and PS vane pump and ABS actuator along with the RH engine mounting insulator and drive belt and generator and air cleaner assembly followed by ignition coils removal. The first step involves removing the cylinder head cover through a process of disconnecting 2 PCV hoses followed by 8 bolt removal along with 2 nut removal. At TDC/compression of No. 1 cylinder enable pulley groove timing mark 0 alignment with the camshaft timing sprocket and VVT timing sprocket while bearing caps align with the numbers 1 and 2; if required, turn crankshaft one turn until proper alignment. Use tools Special Service Tool: 09213-54015 and 09330-00021 to remove the crankshaft pulley before uninstalling its bolt and pulley. The necessary tool in this step is Special Service Tool: 09950-50013 (09951-05010, 09952-05010, 09953-05020, 09954-05021) and 09950-40011 (09957-04010). Use wrenches to remove the 2 nuts from the chain tensioner followed by separating the drive belt tensioner then the crankshaft position sensor and oil pan and timing chain cover requires removing the stud bolt from the drive belt tensioner while taking off 14 bolts and 2 nuts and prying the cover off very carefully. Remove the crank angle sensor plate, chain tensioner slipper, chain vibration damper, timing chain guide and timing chain then crankshaft timing sprocket and camshaft timing sprocket and VVT timing sprocket while taking care to avoid damaging the cylinder head and valve lifter. Measure the timing chain and sprocket elongation by determining the length of 16 links with a maximum permitted stretch to 122.6 mm (4.827 inch) and inspect sprocket diameter. Check the maximum wear on the chain tensioner slipper and vibration damper should be 1.0 mm (0.039 inch) while ensuring that the chain tensioner plunger moves without resistance and holds its position. The replacement process begins with removing the timing chain cover before tapping out the oil seal (Special Service Tool: 09309-37010 enables proper installation of a new component with MP grease applied to its lip. Special Service Tool: 09308-10010, 09950-60010 (09951-00200) needs to be used to take out the oil seal before installing a new one when the cover remains in place. Start your installation by setting the camshaft timing sprocket followed by the VVT timing sprocket while maintaining correct alignment and torquing them to 54 Nm (551 kgf-cm, 40 ft. lbs.). After relocating No. 1 cylinder to TDC/compression, install the two chain vibration damper bolts to 9.0 Nm (92 kgf-cm, 80 inch lbs.). Then install the crankshaft timing sprocket and timing chain with their respective mark positioning. Follow recommended torque values when installing the timing chain guide and chain tensioner slipper into their places. Attach the crank angle sensor plate followed by the timing chain cover containing seal packing (Part Number 08826-00080) while torquing the bolts according to specified values. Accomplish the installation process using specified torque values by adding the drive belt tensioner followed by the crankshaft position sensor then oil pan then crankshaft pulley with 180 Nm (1,836 kgf-cm, 132 ft. lbs.) torque followed by chain tension adjustment. To check valve timing properly set the timing marks before you install the cylinder head cover along with ignition coils, vane pump, generator, RH engine mounting insulator, drive belt, ABS actuator, air cleaner assembly, and the engine under cover. The procedure ends with engine start-up followed by leak inspection and a fresh check of engine oil level.