Replace a single hydraulic valve lifter on the 2012-2017 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 (2AR-FE) engine, requiring cylinder head cover removal and camshaft disassembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Hydraulic valve lifter (specify intake or exhaust) × 1 — 13751-36010 or 13761-36010
• Cylinder head cover gasket × 1 — 11213-36011
• Cylinder head cover grommet set × 1 — Use OEM specification
• PCV valve grommet × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Spark plug tube seals × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil × 1 — Toyota 0W-20

Fluids

• Toyota Genuine 0W-20 — 5 qt

Preparation

1. Verify engine is completely cold to the touch (minimum 2 hours after last operation)
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 90 seconds for airbag system discharge
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on front and rear edges
4. Drain engine coolant into appropriate container if working on intake side lifters
5. Remove air intake duct and air cleaner assembly
6. Disconnect PCV hoses and vacuum lines from cylinder head cover
7. Remove ignition coils (four 10mm bolts) and spark plugs, keep in order
8. Position engine support fixture or hoist to support engine weight
9. Remove right-side engine mount to allow engine rotation for access if needed
10. Clean all debris from cylinder head cover area to prevent contamination
11. Take photos of all hose routing and electrical connections before disconnection

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove cylinder head cover
   Remove the 14 cylinder head cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (work from outside edges toward center). Carefully lift cover straight up to avoid damaging gasket mating surfaces. Inspect cover for warping or cracks. Clean all gasket material from cover and cylinder head using plastic scraper only—never metal tools.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Rotate engine to TDC cylinder #1
   Rotate crankshaft clockwise using 24mm socket on crankshaft pulley bolt until timing marks on camshaft sprockets align with their respective marks on the timing chain cover. Cylinder #1 should be at top dead center compression stroke. Verify both intake and exhaust cam lobes for cylinder #1 point upward at equal angles. This prevents valve-to-piston contact during disassembly.
   ⚠️Confirm piston position before proceeding. Incorrect positioning can cause valve damage when camshaft is loosened.
3. 3

   Mark and secure timing chain position
   Using paint marker or chalk, mark the relationship between timing chain and both camshaft sprockets. Mark camshaft bearing caps with their positions (intake/exhaust and cylinder numbers) using permanent marker. The caps are NOT interchangeable and must return to exact original positions. Mark the front-facing direction with an arrow.
   ⚠Failure to mark bearing cap positions will result in improper reassembly and potential engine damage.
4. 4

   Remove camshaft timing chain tensioner
   Remove the timing chain tensioner mounting bolts and carefully extract tensioner. The tensioner is spring-loaded—control its removal. Inspect tensioner for wear or damage. Insert a suitable pin or wire through tensioner body hole to lock it in compressed position for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Loosen camshaft bearing cap bolts
   Working on the camshaft corresponding to the faulty lifter (intake or exhaust), loosen the bearing cap bolts in multiple passes, working from outside edges toward center, 1/4 turn at a time. This prevents camshaft distortion. Remove bolts completely and carefully lift bearing caps straight up. Keep caps in exact order. Support timing chain with wire to prevent it from falling into timing cover.
   ⚠Uneven loosening can bend or bind the camshaft. Loosen gradually in proper sequence only.
6. 6

   Remove camshaft
   Carefully lift the camshaft straight up while holding timing chain sprocket. Wire the sprocket to prevent chain from dropping or losing position. Set camshaft on clean surface with journals facing up. Inspect camshaft lobes and journals for scoring, wear, or damage. Measure lobe height if dial indicator is available (should be within service limits).
   ⚠️Do not allow timing chain to fall into timing cover. Chain position must be maintained to preserve valve timing.
7. 7

   Remove and identify faulty lifter
   Using magnetic pickup tool, remove the hydraulic lifter from its bore. Lifters sit directly under the camshaft lobes. Keep all removed lifters organized by position if removing multiple. Inspect lifter bore for scoring or debris. Clean bore thoroughly with lint-free cloth. Verify new lifter part number matches application (intake vs exhaust). New lifter should move freely but without excessive play.
   ℹ️Some lifters may be stuck in their bores due to varnish buildup. Gentle twisting motion with magnetic tool may be required. Never pry against aluminum head.
8. 8

   Install new lifter
   Coat new lifter exterior with clean engine oil. Verify lifter plunger moves freely by pressing with finger—it should compress with moderate resistance and return slowly. Install lifter into bore, ensuring it seats completely flat. Lifter should drop into place with minimal resistance. Rotate lifter to ensure free movement in bore.
   ⚠Do not force lifter into bore. Any binding indicates contamination or wrong part number.
9. 9

   Reinstall camshaft
   Apply clean engine oil to all camshaft journals and lobes. Position timing chain sprocket back onto camshaft (if removed), aligning marks made during disassembly. Carefully lower camshaft into bearing saddles, ensuring timing marks align with original positions. Verify all timing marks before proceeding. Chain must maintain proper positioning on both sprockets.
   ⚠️Verify timing marks are correctly aligned before installing bearing caps. Incorrect timing will cause severe engine damage.
10. 10

    Install camshaft bearing caps
    Apply light coat of engine oil to bearing cap surfaces. Install bearing caps in their exact original positions according to your marks. Hand-thread all bolts first. Tighten bearing cap bolts gradually in multiple passes from center outward, working in 1/4 turn increments to final torque specification. Camshaft should rotate smoothly by hand after installation—if not, remove and check for binding.
    ⚠Uneven tightening will distort camshaft and cause premature failure. Follow proper tightening sequence.
    Torque spec

    Rocker Arm Shaft Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall timing chain tensioner
    Clean tensioner mounting surface. Install tensioner with locking pin still engaged. Torque mounting bolts to specification. Remove locking pin to allow tensioner to apply proper chain tension. Manually rotate engine two complete revolutions clockwise and recheck timing marks—they must realign exactly. If marks do not align, disassemble and correct timing before proceeding.
    ⚠️If timing marks do not realign after two rotations, DO NOT start engine. Valve timing is incorrect and must be corrected.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install new cylinder head cover gasket
    Remove old gasket completely from cylinder head cover. Install new spark plug tube seals into cover by pressing firmly into place. Install new grommets for all cable pass-throughs. Position new gasket onto cylinder head cover, ensuring proper orientation (grommets align with bolt holes). Gasket should seat into cover groove completely around perimeter.
    ℹ️Do not apply any sealant to gasket unless specifically required by Toyota service manual for this engine. Modern gaskets are designed to seal without additional sealant.
13. 13

    Reinstall cylinder head cover
    Carefully position cylinder head cover onto cylinder head, ensuring gasket remains properly seated. Hand-thread all 14 bolts. Tighten bolts in proper sequence (start at center, work outward in spiral pattern) to specified torque. Do not overtighten—head cover is aluminum and easily distorted. Reconnect all vacuum hoses, PCV connections, and wiring according to photos taken during disassembly.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall ignition components and perform oil change
    Install spark plugs and torque appropriately. Reinstall ignition coils. Reinstall engine mount if removed. Remove engine support. Perform complete oil and filter change using Toyota 0W-20 specification oil (5 quarts). Old oil may be contaminated with metal particles from previous lifter failure. Refill coolant if drained. Reconnect battery.
    ℹ️Fresh oil change is essential after valve train work to remove any debris and ensure proper lifter operation.

Reassembly

1. Double-check all vacuum hoses and electrical connections are properly secured
2. Verify no tools or rags remain in engine compartment
3. Confirm all fasteners have been reinstalled and properly torqued
4. Check engine oil level on dipstick after filling—should be between MIN and MAX marks
5. Verify coolant level is correct if any was drained during procedure

Verification

• Before first start, manually rotate engine by hand two complete revolutions using crankshaft pulley bolt—rotation should be smooth with no binding or unusual resistance
• Start engine and listen for abnormal valve train noise—ticking or tapping indicates problem
• Allow engine to idle for 5 minutes while monitoring for oil leaks around valve cover gasket
• New hydraulic lifter may be noisy for first 30-60 seconds until it pumps up with oil—this is normal
• Check for consistent oil pressure on instrument cluster during warm-up
• After engine reaches operating temperature, check for any coolant or oil leaks around all disturbed components
• Test drive vehicle and verify normal acceleration, no misfires, and no check engine light
• Recheck valve cover bolt torque after engine has cooled (after first drive cycle)
• Monitor engine for first 100 miles—any persistent valve train noise indicates possible timing error or improper lifter installation

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