Q: How to Remove the Cylinder Head Gasket on 2008 Toyota Highlander?
A: Before working on the Cylinder Head Gasket of the 2GR-FE engine one must first uninstall the engine assembly and install an engine stand. Next, take out the ignition coil assembly, No. 2 engine mounting stay RH, intake manifold, exhaust manifold sub-assembly RH, No. 2 engine oil level dipstick guide, No. 2 manifold stay, No. 2 exhaust manifold heat insulator, exhaust manifold sub-assembly LH, transverse engine mounting bracket, generator assembly, V-ribbed belt tensioner assembly, No. 2 timing gear cover, No. 2 idler pulley sub-assembly, No. 1 engine front mounting bracket LH, radio setting condenser, No. 1 vacuum switching valve, knock control sensor wire, knock control sensor, crankshaft position sensor, No. 1 oil pipe, oil pipe, crankshaft pulley, oil cooler assembly (w/ Oil Cooler), No. 1 oil cooler bracket (w/ Oil Cooler), water inlet housing, water outlet, cylinder head cover sub-assembly (for Bank 1), cylinder head cover sub-assembly (for Bank 2), No. 2 oil pan sub-assembly, oil strainer sub-assembly, oil pan sub-assembly, timing chain cover sub-assembly, timing chain case oil seal, and set No. 1 cylinder to TDC/compression. The mechanic should start by taking off the No. 1 chain tensioner assembly and chain tensioner slipper followed by the chain sub-assembly then idle sprocket assembly then the No. 2 chain vibration damper after which come the camshaft timing gears and No. 2 chain (for Bank 2) next in line are the No. 3 chain tensioner assembly after which is the camshaft bearing cap then the No. 3 camshaft and the No. 4 camshaft and finally the camshaft housing sub-assembly LH. Check the camshaft timing gear and camshaft timing exhaust gear before taking out the 24 valve lash adjuster assemblies from the cylinder head while keeping the removed components in their proper order. Every 12 valve stem cap gets installed before loosening and removing the 2 cylinder head set bolts through multiple steps in their designated sequence followed by stepwise loosening of the 8 bolts with a 10 mm bi-hexagon wrench in their correct sequence to finish by removing the 8 cylinder head bolts and plate washers while being cautious about cylinder head washer drop to prevent warpage or cracking. The last action includes both cylinder head sub-assembly LH removal as well as removal of the No. 2 cylinder head gasket.