Complete removal and replacement of the long block assembly on a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 engine, including disconnection of all accessories, mounts, and drivetrain components.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Long block assembly (2AR-FE) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil with filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Coolant drain plug O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Exhaust manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Intake manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gasket with grommets × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine mount hardware kit × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Anti-seize compound × 1 — Copper or nickel-based

Fluids

• Toyota Genuine 0W-20 Engine Oil — 5 qt
• Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (Pink) — 10 qt
• Toyota WS ATF — 2 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 90 seconds for airbag system discharge
3. Remove engine cover and drain coolant completely from radiator and engine block
4. Drain engine oil and remove oil filter
5. Remove hood and front bumper cover for access (mark hinge positions)
6. Raise and secure vehicle on jack stands at all four corners
7. Remove front wheels and lower splash shields
8. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump relay and cranking engine briefly
9. Label and photograph all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and hose routing before disconnection

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect and remove air intake system
   Remove air filter housing, mass airflow sensor, and intake tube assembly. Disconnect PCV hoses and breather tubes from valve cover. Remove throttle body coolant hoses and set aside intake ducting completely.
2. 2

   Disconnect fuel system and EVAP components
   Disconnect fuel feed line at fuel rail using appropriate line disconnect tool. Cap open fuel line to prevent contamination. Disconnect EVAP purge line and canister hoses. Remove fuel rail with injectors if transferring to new long block.
   ⚠Have shop towels ready for residual fuel spillage. Fuel will spray under pressure if system not properly relieved.
3. 3

   Remove exhaust system components
   From underneath vehicle, disconnect front exhaust pipe from exhaust manifold. Remove oxygen sensor connectors (upstream and downstream). Support exhaust with wire or stand and remove exhaust manifold heat shields. Remove exhaust manifold nuts and gasket.
   Torque spec

   Exhaust Manifold Nuts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Disconnect cooling system hoses and components
   Remove radiator upper and lower hoses from engine. Disconnect heater hoses at firewall. Remove thermostat housing if transferring to new block. Disconnect coolant bypass hoses. Remove radiator cooling fans and radiator assembly for clearance.
5. 5

   Remove accessory drive system
   Using breaker bar on tensioner, release serpentine belt tension and remove belt. Remove alternator with wiring harness connected and secure aside. Remove power steering pump without disconnecting lines and secure to frame with wire. Remove A/C compressor without disconnecting refrigerant lines and secure aside.
6. 6

   Disconnect electrical connections
   Disconnect engine harness main connectors at firewall. Remove starter motor electrical connections and mounting bolts. Disconnect camshaft position sensors, crankshaft position sensor, knock sensors, oil pressure sensor, coolant temperature sensors, and all remaining engine-mounted sensors. Disconnect ground straps from engine block to chassis.
7. 7

   Separate transmission from engine
   Support transmission using transmission jack. Remove transmission-to-engine mounting bolts (all accessible from top and sides). From underneath, remove torque converter-to-flexplate bolts through starter opening. Mark flexplate and converter relationship for reassembly. Carefully slide transmission back approximately 2 inches to clear dowel pins.
   ⚠️Transmission weighs over 200 lbs. Ensure transmission jack is properly positioned and secured before removing bolts.
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

   Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Disconnect engine mounts
   Support engine weight with engine hoist using lifting eyes or chain around appropriate lifting points. Remove right-side engine mount through-bolt and mount bracket. Remove left-side mount through-bolt and bracket. Remove rear engine mount bolts from transmission side. Remove front mount and torque rod assembly.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove remaining connections and hoses
   Disconnect throttle body electrical connector and remove throttle body if needed. Remove vacuum brake booster hose from intake manifold. Disconnect any remaining vacuum lines, breather hoses, or fluid lines attached to engine. Double-check all connections are freed.
10. 10

    Extract engine from vehicle
    Verify all connections, hoses, and wiring are disconnected. Adjust engine hoist angle using leveler to tilt engine forward slightly. Slowly raise engine while guiding clear of transmission input shaft. Continue lifting and angling engine forward to clear radiator support and cowl. Once clear of engine bay, lower onto engine stand.
    ⚠️Have assistant guide engine during extraction. Monitor all clearances to prevent damage to body panels, brake lines, or wiring.
11. 11

    Transfer components to new long block
    Transfer the following from old engine to new long block: intake manifold with gaskets, exhaust manifold with new gaskets, throttle body, fuel rail and injectors, ignition coils, valve cover with new gasket, alternator bracket, A/C compressor bracket, power steering pump bracket, engine mounts, coolant passages/housings, all sensors, dipstick tube, oil filter housing if separate, and timing cover components if not included.
    ℹ️Apply anti-seize compound to exhaust manifold studs before installing nuts. Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly before installing new gaskets.
    Torque spec

    Intake Manifold Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

    Exhaust Manifold Nuts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)

    Cover Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install new long block into vehicle
    Mount new long block assembly on engine hoist with proper angle. Carefully lower engine into engine bay, angling to clear radiator support. Align engine with transmission while lowering. Guide input shaft into clutch/torque converter while bringing engine and transmission together. Install transmission-to-engine bolts hand-tight initially.
    ⚠Do not force engine and transmission together. If resistance is felt, raise engine slightly and re-align. Input shaft must slide freely into pilot bearing/converter.
    Torque spec

    Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install engine mounts and secure drivetrain
    Install all engine mount brackets and through-bolts hand-tight. Torque transmission-to-engine bolts in star pattern. Align torque converter with flexplate using marked positions and install converter bolts. Install and torque all engine mount bolts. Remove engine hoist and transmission jack once all mounts are secured.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)

    Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reconnect all systems and components
    Reinstall accessory components in reverse order: A/C compressor, power steering pump, alternator with belt. Reconnect all electrical connectors, ground straps, and sensors using labels/photos as reference. Reconnect all coolant hoses, heater hoses, and vacuum lines. Reconnect fuel supply line. Install new oil filter and oil drain plug with new crush washer. Reinstall exhaust system to manifold with new gasket. Reinstall radiator and cooling fans.
    ℹ️Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated with locking tabs engaged. Double-check all coolant hose clamps are properly tightened.
    Torque spec

    Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Fill fluids and perform initial startup
    Fill engine with 5.0 quarts Toyota Genuine 0W-20 oil. Fill cooling system with 10 quarts Toyota Super Long Life Pink coolant (50/50 mix). Check transmission fluid level and top off if needed. Reconnect battery negative cable. Perform visual inspection of all connections. Start engine and verify oil pressure within 5 seconds. Allow engine to reach operating temperature while monitoring for leaks. Bleed cooling system by opening bleed valve on thermostat housing. Check and adjust coolant level after burping system.
    ⚠If oil pressure warning light does not extinguish within 5 seconds of startup, shut down immediately and investigate.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall all splash shields and front wheels
2. Reinstall front bumper cover and align properly
3. Reinstall hood using marked hinge positions and adjust alignment
4. Reinstall engine cover
5. Top off all fluids after test drive and check for leaks
6. Reset ECU by disconnecting battery for 10 minutes to clear old engine adaptation values

Verification

• Start engine and verify smooth idle with no unusual noises or vibrations
• Verify no coolant, oil, fuel, or fluid leaks from any connections
• Confirm all warning lights extinguish after startup (oil pressure, check engine)
• Verify cooling fans cycle properly and engine reaches normal operating temperature
• Test drive vehicle and verify normal acceleration, shifting, and no warning lights
• Recheck all fluid levels after test drive with engine at operating temperature
• Verify no exhaust leaks at manifold connection
• Scan for diagnostic trouble codes and address any issues
• Recheck engine mount bolt torque after 50-100 miles of operation

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