Camshaft R&R

Complete removal and replacement of intake and exhaust camshafts on the 2018-2024 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 engine, including timing chain and VVT components.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Intake camshaft × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Exhaust camshaft × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover grommets/spark plug seals × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Timing chain tensioner × 1 — Use OEM specification - recommended replacement
• Timing chain guide (if worn) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• VVT solenoid O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Camshaft position sensor O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil × 5 — Toyota Genuine 0W-20
• Oil filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• RTV silicone sealant (Toyota FIPG or equivalent) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Toyota Genuine 0W-20 — 5 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 90 seconds for airbag system to discharge
3. Raise and support vehicle on jack stands
4. Drain engine oil and remove oil filter
5. Remove engine cover and air intake system
6. Remove ignition coils and spark plugs
7. Remove valve cover and gasket
8. Remove right front wheel and inner fender liner for crankshaft access
9. Remove accessory drive belt
10. Support engine with support fixture or jack under oil pan (use wood block)
11. Remove right engine mount to access timing cover
12. Photo or mark all timing chain positions and relationships before disassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Position engine at TDC cylinder #1
   Rotate crankshaft clockwise using crankshaft pulley bolt until timing marks align: crankshaft keyway at 12 o'clock, camshaft timing marks aligned with cylinder head surface, and timing chain colored links aligned with camshaft sprocket marks. Verify cylinder #1 is at TDC compression stroke (both valves closed). Mark all timing positions with paint pen.
2. 2

   Remove crankshaft pulley and timing cover
   Hold crankshaft using holding tool or impact wrench. Remove crankshaft pulley bolt and pulley. Remove timing cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (start with 8mm bolts, then 10mm bolts). Carefully pry timing cover off and remove gasket. Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly.
   Torque spec

   Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove timing chain tensioner and guides
   Remove VVT solenoids from cylinder head. Remove timing chain tensioner bolt and extract tensioner assembly (spring pressure is present - control removal). Remove timing chain guide bolts and guides. Inspect guides for wear grooves - replace if worn beyond 1mm depth.
   ⚠Timing chain tensioner contains spring pressure. Remove bolt carefully and control tensioner during extraction.
   Torque spec

   VVT Solenoid Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

   Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Lock timing chain and remove camshaft sprockets
   Secure timing chain with holding tool or wire to prevent dropping into timing case. Hold each camshaft on hex section using wrench. Remove intake camshaft sprocket bolt (left side) and exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt (right side). Remove sprockets while maintaining timing chain support. Mark sprocket orientation if reusing.
   ⚠️Do not allow timing chain to drop or slip position. Chain falling into case requires oil pan removal for retrieval.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Sprocket Bolt80 Nm (59 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove VVT cam phasers
   Hold each camshaft stationary using wrench on hex section. Remove cam phaser bolts from front of each camshaft. Remove VVT cam phasers and set aside with identifying marks. Inspect phaser mounting surfaces for wear or damage.
   Torque spec

   Cam Phaser Bolt65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove camshaft bearing caps
   Mark each camshaft bearing cap with position and orientation using permanent marker (caps are NOT interchangeable). Loosen bearing cap bolts in sequence from outer caps toward center in 3 passes (1/3 turn each pass) to prevent warping. Remove bolts and caps, keeping them in exact order. Store caps in sequence on clean surface.
   ⚠️Bearing caps MUST be loosened gradually in proper sequence. Uneven loosening will warp camshafts or cylinder head.
   ⚠Each bearing cap fits only one position. Mixing positions will cause immediate bearing failure.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)

   Camshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove camshafts
   Carefully lift intake camshaft (left) and exhaust camshaft (right) straight up from cylinder head. Do not allow camshafts to contact valves during removal. Inspect camshaft lobes, journals, and VVT mounting surfaces for scoring, pitting, or abnormal wear. Measure journal diameter and lobe height if wear is suspected.
   ⚠Support camshafts evenly during removal to prevent bending or damaging valve stems.
8. 8

   Inspect cylinder head and measure bearing clearances
   Clean all bearing surfaces in cylinder head with lint-free cloth and solvent. Inspect for scoring or discoloration. Place Plastigage strips across each journal position on cylinder head. Install new camshafts and bearing caps (no oil on surfaces). Torque bearing cap bolts to specification in 3 passes from center outward. Remove caps and measure Plastigage width. Clearance should be 0.0010-0.0024 inches. Record measurements.
   ℹ️Do not rotate camshafts during bearing clearance measurement or Plastigage readings will be invalid.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)

   Camshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Install new camshafts
   Remove bearing caps and clean off all Plastigage material. Apply clean engine oil to all camshaft journals and lobes. Install intake camshaft (left side) and exhaust camshaft (right side) into cylinder head, ensuring timing alignment marks face upward. Verify camshaft keyways are in correct position for TDC cylinder #1.
   ⚠Camshafts must be oriented correctly before bearing cap installation. Incorrect orientation will prevent cap installation.
10. 10

    Install camshaft bearing caps
    Apply light coat of clean engine oil to bearing cap surfaces. Install each bearing cap in exact original position with orientation marks facing outward. Hand-start all bearing cap bolts. Tighten bolts in sequence from center caps outward in 3 passes: first pass to 5 Nm, second pass to 10 Nm, final pass to 14 Nm specification. Verify camshafts rotate freely by hand.
    ⚠️Bearing cap bolts MUST be tightened in proper sequence in multiple passes. Single-pass tightening will warp cylinder head.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)

    Camshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install VVT cam phasers
    Clean camshaft front mounting surfaces and phaser mounting faces. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to cam phaser bolts. Position VVT cam phasers onto camshaft fronts, aligning dowel pins. Hold camshafts stationary using wrench on hex section. Install and torque cam phaser bolts to specification.
    ℹ️Cam phaser bolts require threadlocker per factory specification to prevent loosening.
    Torque spec

    Cam Phaser Bolt65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install camshaft sprockets and verify timing
    Verify timing chain is still secured and positioned correctly. Align camshaft sprocket timing marks with colored chain links. Install sprockets onto camshafts while maintaining chain position. Hold camshafts stationary on hex section. Install and torque sprocket bolts to specification. Triple-check all timing marks: crankshaft keyway at 12 o'clock, both camshaft marks aligned with head surface, chain colored links aligned with sprocket marks.
    ⚠️Incorrect timing will cause piston-to-valve contact and catastrophic engine damage. Verify all marks before proceeding.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Sprocket Bolt80 Nm (59 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install timing chain components
    Install timing chain guides and torque guide bolts to specification. Compress new timing chain tensioner using bench vise and lock with pin or clip. Install tensioner with bolt torqued to specification. Remove tensioner locking pin to apply tension. Install new timing cover gasket or apply RTV sealant bead (3mm diameter) to timing cover mating surface. Install timing cover and torque bolts in sequence: 8mm bolts first, then 10mm bolts.
    ℹ️If using RTV sealant, engine must not be started for at least 2 hours to allow proper curing.
    Torque spec

    Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

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

    Verify timing and rotate engine
    Install crankshaft pulley and torque bolt to specification (may require impact wrench). Slowly rotate engine by hand 2 complete revolutions clockwise. Verify timing marks realign perfectly at TDC cylinder #1. Check for any binding or unusual resistance. If timing marks do not realign, disassemble and correct timing before proceeding.
    ⚠️If engine binds or timing marks do not realign after 2 revolutions, STOP immediately. Timing is incorrect.
    Torque spec

    Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

    Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Final assembly and oil system preparation
    Install VVT solenoids with new O-rings torqued to specification. Install camshaft position sensor with new O-ring torqued to specification. Install new valve cover gasket and spark plug seals. Install valve cover with bolts torqued in sequence to specification. Reinstall right engine mount and torque mounting bolts. Install accessory drive belt. Install spark plugs and ignition coils. Install air intake system and engine cover. Install new oil filter and fill with 5 quarts of Toyota 0W-20 oil. Install oil drain plug with new crush washer.
    Torque spec

    VVT Solenoid Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

    Camshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

    Cover Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)

    Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall inner fender liner and right front wheel
2. Lower vehicle from jack stands
3. Reconnect battery negative terminal
4. Before starting engine, remove all spark plugs and disable fuel system (pull fuel pump fuse)
5. Crank engine for 10 seconds to build oil pressure without starting
6. Reinstall spark plugs and fuel pump fuse
7. Start engine and verify no unusual noises, oil pressure is normal within 3 seconds
8. Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify no oil leaks from valve cover or timing cover
9. Check for diagnostic trouble codes related to VVT or camshaft position sensors

Verification

• Oil pressure should reach normal range (approximately 40-70 psi) within 3 seconds of startup
• Engine should idle smoothly with no valve train noise, ticking, or knocking
• No oil leaks should be present at valve cover, timing cover, or VVT solenoids after warmup
• Scan for diagnostic trouble codes - P0010, P0011, P0020, P0021 (VVT codes) or P0340, P0345 (camshaft position codes) indicate problems
• Verify VVT system operation using scan tool active test or by observing smooth idle and proper response to throttle
• Road test vehicle and verify normal acceleration, no hesitation, and smooth power delivery throughout RPM range
• Recheck oil level after engine cools and top off if necessary - initial startup may distribute oil into new components

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