Complete replacement of the short block assembly on a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 engine, involving removal of the engine from the vehicle, transfer of all external components to the new short block, and reinstallation.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Short block assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil and filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — 90430-12031
• Complete engine gasket set × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing chain kit with guides and tensioner × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Water pump × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Coolant × 1 — Toyota Super Long Life Coolant
• Engine coolant thermostat with gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pump O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft front seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft rear seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• RTV silicone gasket maker × 1 — Toyota FIPG or equivalent
• Engine mounting bolts (if TTY) × 1 — Verify reusability before ordering
• Main bearing cap bolts (TTY) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Connecting rod bolts (TTY) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Disconnect negative battery cable and isolate terminal
2. Raise vehicle on lift or secure on jack stands at proper lift points
3. Remove engine under covers and splash shields
4. Drain engine oil, coolant, and automatic transmission fluid into appropriate containers
5. Remove hood and store safely to provide clearance for engine removal
6. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump fuse and running engine until it stalls
7. Label and photograph all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and hose routing before disconnection
8. Support vehicle with additional jack stands at frame rails for stability during engine removal

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove intake and exhaust systems
   Remove air intake assembly, throttle body, and intake manifold. Disconnect exhaust manifold from catalytic converter. Remove exhaust manifold heat shield and exhaust manifold itself. Keep all hardware organized by component.
2. 2

   Disconnect fuel, cooling, and accessory systems
   Disconnect fuel lines at fuel rail using appropriate disconnect tools. Remove radiator hoses, heater hoses, and all coolant lines from engine. Remove drive belts and disconnect all sensors including oxygen sensors, temperature sensors, and crankshaft position sensor. Remove alternator, power steering pump (leave lines attached and secure to frame), and A/C compressor (leave lines attached and secure to frame).
3. 3

   Separate transmission from engine
   Support transmission with transmission jack. Remove starter motor. Remove all transmission-to-engine bolts and bellhousing bolts. Carefully separate transmission from engine by sliding backward, ensuring torque converter remains with transmission. Lower transmission slightly and secure to frame.
   ⚠Transmission weighs approximately 150 lbs. Ensure transmission jack is properly positioned and secure before removing bolts.
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove engine mounts and extract engine
   Attach engine hoist to factory lifting points on engine using appropriate chains or straps. Apply slight upward tension to take weight off mounts. Remove engine mount bolts on both sides and front mount. Carefully lift engine while guiding it forward and up out of engine bay. Check for any remaining connections before fully extracting. Once clear, move engine to work area and mount on engine stand.
   ⚠️Ensure engine hoist chains are secure and properly balanced. Have a helper guide engine during extraction to prevent damage to vehicle or injury.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove cylinder head and timing components
   With engine on stand, remove valve cover. Remove timing chain cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence. Remove timing chain tensioner, then timing chain and guides. Remove cylinder head bolts in proper sequence (reverse of tightening pattern, working from outside to center). Lift cylinder head off block and set aside. Remove head gasket.
   ⚠Cylinder head bolts are torque-to-yield and must not be reused. Order new bolts before reassembly.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove oil pan and oil pump
   Remove oil pan bolts in crisscross pattern starting from outside edges. Break seal with plastic gasket scraper if needed. Remove oil pickup tube. Remove oil pump mounting bolts and extract oil pump assembly. Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

   Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove crankshaft pulley and timing components
   Use crankshaft pulley holding tool to secure crankshaft. Remove crankshaft pulley bolt using impact wrench (bolt is extremely tight). Remove crankshaft pulley. Remove front crankshaft seal. Note position of timing marks before removing any remaining timing components.
   ℹ️Crankshaft pulley bolt typically requires 400+ ft-lbs of torque to remove. Impact wrench is essential.
   Torque spec

   Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove flywheel/flexplate
   Use flywheel holding tool to prevent rotation. Remove flywheel bolts in star pattern. Remove flywheel and set aside. Remove rear crankshaft seal. Inspect flexplate ring gear for damage.
   ⚠Flywheel bolts are often torque-to-yield. Verify specification and replace if required.
   Torque spec

   Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Transfer oil gallery plugs and freeze plugs
   Inspect all oil gallery plugs and freeze plugs on old block. If new short block does not include these, carefully remove from old block and install in new block. Ensure proper sealing. Check new short block for pre-installed cups and plugs before removing from old block.
10. 10

    Prepare new short block
    Mount new short block on engine stand. Verify crankshaft rotates freely and inspect for shipping damage. Clean all gasket mating surfaces with brake cleaner. Install new rear crankshaft seal using seal driver, ensuring it seats evenly. Lubricate seal lip with clean engine oil. Verify all main bearing caps are properly torqued (should be from factory, but verify critical fasteners).
    ℹ️New short block should arrive with pistons, rings, crankshaft, and main bearings already assembled. Verify assembly before accepting delivery.
11. 11

    Install oil pump and oil pan
    Install new oil pump O-ring. Apply thin layer of engine oil to O-ring. Install oil pump and torque bolts to specification. Install oil pickup tube with new O-ring. Apply thin bead of RTV silicone to oil pan mating surface where specified in service manual. Install oil pan with new gasket and torque bolts in crisscross pattern from center outward.
    ⚠Allow RTV silicone to cure for time specified by manufacturer before adding oil (typically 30-60 minutes).
    Torque spec

    Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install cylinder head and timing components
    Install new head gasket on block, ensuring all alignment dowels are seated. Carefully place cylinder head on block. Install new cylinder head bolts and torque in proper sequence to specification plus angle. Install new timing chain guides and tensioner. Route timing chain per service manual ensuring timing marks align correctly. Install new front crankshaft seal. Apply RTV to timing cover mating surfaces as specified. Install timing cover and torque bolts in proper sequence.
    ⚠️Incorrect timing chain installation will cause catastrophic engine damage. Triple-check timing marks before rotating crankshaft.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)

    Gasket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install external components
    Install crankshaft pulley with new bolt, torquing to specification using holding tool. Install flywheel with new bolts if required, torquing in star pattern. Install water pump with new gasket. Install thermostat housing with new gasket. Install all sensors including crankshaft position sensor, oil pressure sensor, and temperature sensors. Torque sensor bolts to specification.
    ℹ️Crankshaft pulley bolt may be torque-to-yield. Verify specification and use new bolt if required.
    Torque spec

    Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install intake, exhaust, and accessories
    Install exhaust manifold with new gasket and torque nuts in proper sequence. Install exhaust manifold heat shield. Install intake manifold with new gaskets and torque bolts in proper sequence. Install throttle body with new gasket. Reinstall alternator, power steering pump, and A/C compressor to mounting brackets. Install drive belts and adjust tension per specification.
15. 15

    Install engine and reconnect transmission
    Carefully lower engine into engine bay using hoist, aligning with transmission. Install engine mount bolts and torque to specification. Remove engine hoist. Raise transmission into position and align with engine. Install all transmission-to-engine bolts and torque to specification. Install starter motor. Reconnect all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, fuel lines, and coolant hoses per labels and photographs. Install radiator hoses and heater hoses. Reinstall air intake assembly.
    ⚠Verify torque converter is fully seated in transmission before mating engine to transmission. Should hear three distinct clicks when installing converter.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)

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

Reassembly

1. Install new oil filter and fill engine with 5.0 quarts of Toyota Genuine 0W-20 engine oil
2. Fill cooling system with Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (Pink) per bleeding procedure in service manual
3. Refill automatic transmission with Toyota WS ATF to proper level
4. Install oil drain plug with new crush washer and torque to specification
5. Reinstall engine under covers and splash shields
6. Reinstall hood and adjust alignment as needed
7. Reconnect negative battery cable

Verification

• Before starting engine, rotate crankshaft by hand two complete revolutions to verify no binding or interference
• Check all fluid levels and top off as necessary
• Perform visual inspection of all connections, hoses, and electrical connectors
• Prime oil system by cranking engine for 10-15 seconds without starting (disable fuel or ignition)
• Start engine and verify oil pressure light extinguishes immediately
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature while monitoring for leaks, unusual noises, or warning lights
• Check for coolant, oil, and fuel leaks at all connections
• Verify cooling fans engage at proper temperature
• Road test vehicle and verify normal operation, smooth acceleration, and no abnormal noises
• Recheck all fluid levels after test drive and top off as needed
• Scan for diagnostic trouble codes and verify none are present
• Advise customer to return after 500 miles for oil and filter change and inspection

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