OEM 2004 Toyota Solara Camshaft

2004 Toyota Solara Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace the camshaft (LH) on 2004 Toyota Solara?

  A: The procedure for removing the camshaft (LH) starts by taking out the front wheel RH and front fender apron seal RH followed by engine cover sub-assy No.1 and spark plug and ventilation hoses and engine wire. The replacement process starts by unfastening the cylinder head cover sub-assy bolt along with the engine wire harness clamp then proceeding to remove bolts, 2 nuts, cylinder head cover, and gasket. Use the crankshaft pulley to turn it to TDC/compression mode until the timing mark 0 of the timing chain cover lines up with its groove while checking that camshaft timing gear and sprocket timing marks match with their bearing caps before using paint to mark the timing chain. Remove the No.1 chain tensioner assembly by removing its 2 retaining nuts followed by withdrawal of tensioner parts along with gasket maintenance yet disregard rotating the crankshaft without tensioner present. Start by securing the camshaft with a wrench while unscrewing the bolt before removing bearing cap bolts in sequence to elevate and detach the No. 2 camshaft along with its sprocket bolt that will disconnect the camshaft timing sprocket from the timing chain. The camshaft removal process requires bolt loosening of the bearing caps in the prescribed sequence followed by camshaft extraction where the timing chain must be secured with a string while preventing any falling debris inside the timing chain cover. When removing the camshaft timing gear assy position the No. 1 camshaft in a vise with paths taped except the advanced side while applying about 150 kPa (1.5 kgf-cm, 21 psi) of compressed air to the advanced angle port so the camshaft timing gear turns smoothly to the advanced angle position. Realize the fringe bolt of the camshaft timing gear while keeping the other four bolts in place. Introduce the camshaft timing gear assy to the camshaft position while gently rotating it before verifying no gaps exist between the gear fringe and camshaft at 54 Nm torque (551 kgf-cm, 40 ft. lbs. torque). Set the camshaft timing gear by placing the timing chain on then align the marked positions with the timing marks and install bearings based on this order following torque values of 30 Nm (301 kgf-cm, 22 lb-ft) for bearing cap No. 1 and 9.0 Nm (92 kgf-cm, 80 inch lbs) for bearing cap No. 3. For No. 2 camshaft installation resolve the painted mark with the timing mark of the camshaft timing sprocket then loosely tighten the sprocket bolt followed by fitting the bearing caps and bolts before torquing the sprocket bolt to 54 Nm (551 kgf-cm, 40 ft. lbs.) while maintaining valve lifter safety. Use the paint marks to verify that they match up with the pulley groove on the camshaft timing gear and timing sprocket as well as the timing chain. Installation starts with chain tensioner assy No.1 by adjusting the ratchet pawl, pushing in the plunger, hooking the pin with the correct alignment and proceeding to install a new gasket followed by the chain tensioner and 2 nuts tightened to 9.0Nm (92 kgf-cm, 80 inch lbs.). You need to turn the crankshaft in a counterclockwise direction to check the plunger knock pin yet perform a clockwise crankshaft motion to confirm that the plunger pushes the slipper. After repairing the cylinder cover assembly, engineers must apply seal packing (Part No. 08826-00080 or equivalent) to designated areas before reassembling the parts using 8 bolts and 2 nuts and tightening them to 11 Nm (110 kgf-cm, 8 ft. lbs.). The engineers then reconnect the engine wire, tighten the spark plug to 19 Nm (194 kgf-cm, 14 ft. lbs.) before reinstalling the front wheel RH while inspecting for oil leaks.