This procedure covers removal and reinstallation of the cylinder head on a 2018-2024 Toyota Camry with the 2.5L I4 engine, including disassembly of timing components, head bolt replacement, and gasket surface preparation.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Cylinder head gasket × 1 — Use OEM Toyota gasket
• Cylinder head bolts (set of 10) × 1 — Use OEM Toyota TTY bolts - NOT reusable
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing chain cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Exhaust manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Intake manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Spark plugs (set of 4) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• VVT-i oil control valve O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold before starting work
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 90 seconds for airbag system to discharge
3. Drain engine coolant into appropriate container by removing radiator drain plug and lower radiator hose
4. Drain engine oil and remove oil filter
5. Remove engine cover by pulling up firmly on front and rear sections
6. Remove air intake assembly including air filter box and intake tube
7. Tag and photograph all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and hose connections for reassembly reference
8. Install engine support fixture or position engine hoist to support engine weight

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove Accessory Components
   Remove the ignition coils and spark plugs from all four cylinders. Disconnect all electrical connectors from the cylinder head area including injector connectors, camshaft position sensors, VVT-i oil control valves, and oxygen sensors. Remove the throttle body assembly. Label each connector with tape for reassembly reference.
   Torque spec

   Electrical Connector Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)

   Sensor Bolts11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove Intake and Exhaust Manifolds
   Disconnect fuel lines at the fuel rail using proper fuel line disconnect tools. Remove intake manifold assembly by removing all mounting bolts in a crisscross pattern. Remove exhaust manifold heat shield. Disconnect exhaust pipe from manifold. Remove exhaust manifold mounting bolts and carefully remove manifold from cylinder head.
   ⚠Residual fuel pressure may be present. Have a rag ready to catch any fuel spillage.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)

   Gasket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove Valve Cover
   Disconnect PCV hoses and breather hoses from valve cover. Remove valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (start from outside and work inward). Carefully lift valve cover off, breaking the gasket seal with a plastic pry tool if necessary. Do not pry against the gasket mating surfaces.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove Engine Mounting Bracket
   Support the engine with a jack or hoist from below. Remove the right-side engine mounting insulator and bracket that connects to the cylinder head. This provides clearance for cylinder head removal. Keep all bolts organized by location.
   ⚠️Ensure engine is properly supported before removing mount. Engine weight shift can cause injury or damage.
   Torque spec

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

   Set Engine to TDC and Mark Timing
   Rotate crankshaft clockwise using a socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt until cylinder #1 is at Top Dead Center on the compression stroke. Verify timing marks on camshaft gears align with marks on timing chain cover. Use paint marker or correction fluid to mark the exact position of timing chain on both camshaft gears and crankshaft gear. Take clear photos of timing mark alignment.
   ⚠Precise timing mark documentation is critical. Any deviation during reassembly will cause engine damage.
6. 6

   Remove Timing Chain from Camshaft Gears
   Remove timing chain cover bolts and carefully separate cover from engine block. Release timing chain tensioner by pushing tensioner plunger and inserting a pin to lock it in the retracted position. Using camshaft holding tool to prevent rotation, remove camshaft gear bolts. Carefully lift timing chain off camshaft gears while supporting chain to prevent it from falling into timing cover area. Wire the timing chain in place to prevent it from dropping.
   ⚠Do not allow timing chain to fall into the engine. Secure chain with wire or zip ties.
7. 7

   Remove Camshafts
   Loosen camshaft bearing cap bolts in multiple passes working from outside toward center in a crisscross pattern. Remove bearing caps and carefully lift out intake and exhaust camshafts. Keep bearing caps in order as they are position-specific and marked. Store camshafts on a clean surface where they will not roll.
   ℹ️Bearing caps are marked with numbers and arrows indicating installation direction. Do not mix their positions.
8. 8

   Remove Cylinder Head Bolts
   Remove cylinder head bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (start from outside and work toward center in three passes). Loosen each bolt 1/4 turn at a time to prevent head warping. Once all bolts are loose, remove them completely. These bolts MUST be discarded and replaced with new torque-to-yield bolts.
   ⚠️Do not reuse cylinder head bolts. TTY bolts stretch during installation and will fail if reused.
   Torque spec

   Cylinder Head Bolts65 Nm (48 lb-ft) + 180°
9. 9

   Remove Cylinder Head
   Carefully break the cylinder head gasket seal using plastic pry tools in designated pry points (not on gasket surfaces). Lift cylinder head straight up and off the engine block, being careful not to drag it across dowel pins. Place cylinder head on clean wooden blocks with combustion chambers facing up.
   ⚠Do not pry between head and block mating surfaces. Use only designated pry points to prevent damage.
10. 10

    Inspect and Clean Surfaces
    Remove all old gasket material from cylinder head and engine block using plastic scrapers. Clean surfaces thoroughly with brake cleaner and lint-free rags. Inspect cylinder head mating surface with a precision straight edge and feeler gauge. Warpage must not exceed 0.05mm (0.002 inches). Check head for cracks using dye penetrant or magnetic particle inspection if available. Inspect valve seats and combustion chambers for damage.
    ⚠Mating surfaces must be perfectly clean and flat. Any contamination or warpage will cause head gasket failure.
    Torque spec

    Gasket Surface Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install New Head Gasket and Position Head
    Clean cylinder block surface one final time with brake cleaner. Install new cylinder head gasket on block, ensuring all dowel pins align properly and gasket orientation is correct (check for TOP marking). Verify all coolant and oil passages align. Carefully lower cylinder head onto block, guiding it over dowel pins. Do not slide or drag the head.
    ℹ️Head gasket is direction-specific. Verify TOP marking faces upward and front of gasket faces front of engine.
12. 12

    Install and Torque Cylinder Head Bolts
    Install new cylinder head bolts and hand tighten all bolts. Following the correct sequence (center bolts first, then working outward), torque all bolts to 36 Nm (27 lb-ft). Then, using an angle gauge, tighten each bolt an additional 90 degrees in the same sequence. Finally, tighten each bolt another 90 degrees (total 180 degrees additional rotation after initial torque). Verify all bolts have been angle-torqued properly.
    ⚠️Angle torque sequence is critical. Use proper angle gauge and follow exact specifications: 27 lb-ft, then +90°, then +90°.
    Torque spec

    Cylinder Head Bolts65 Nm (48 lb-ft) + 180°
13. 13

    Install Camshafts and Set Timing
    Lubricate camshaft journals with clean engine oil. Install intake and exhaust camshafts in their correct positions, ensuring timing marks face upward. Install bearing caps in their original positions following the numbered sequence and directional arrows. Tighten bearing cap bolts in multiple passes from center outward to specified torque. Verify camshafts rotate smoothly.
14. 14

    Reinstall Timing Chain
    Align timing chain with marks made during disassembly on both camshaft gears. Install camshaft gears with chain properly positioned. Use holding tool and torque camshaft gear bolts. Install timing chain cover with new gasket. Release timing chain tensioner pin and verify proper chain tension. Rotate engine two complete revolutions by hand and verify all timing marks realign perfectly at TDC.
    ⚠After timing chain installation, manually rotate engine and verify timing marks align. Do not start engine if timing is incorrect.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall Remaining Components
    Install valve cover with new gasket and torque bolts in crisscross pattern. Install exhaust and intake manifolds with new gaskets and torque bolts to specification. Reconnect all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and hoses using photos taken during disassembly. Install ignition coils and new spark plugs. Install throttle body. Reinstall engine mounting bracket and insulator. Install accessory drive belt. Reconnect fuel lines.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)

    Gasket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

    Electrical Connector Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Refill engine with 5 quarts of Toyota Genuine 0W-20 engine oil and install new oil filter
2. Refill cooling system with 10 quarts of Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (Pink). Bleed air from system using bleed valve on thermostat housing
3. Reconnect negative battery cable
4. Start engine and verify no coolant, oil, or fuel leaks
5. Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify cooling fans cycle properly
6. Perform ECU relearn procedures using scan tool if available

Verification

• Check for any fluid leaks around cylinder head, valve cover, timing cover, and manifolds after engine reaches operating temperature
• Verify engine idles smoothly with no unusual noises, misfires, or rough running
• Check engine oil level and coolant level after initial warm-up cycle and top off if necessary
• Perform a test drive and verify proper engine power and no check engine lights
• Recheck all fluid levels after test drive
• Monitor engine for the first 100 miles for any leaks or issues. Retorque valve cover bolts after first heat cycle if manufacturer specifies
• Consider performing a compression test to verify all cylinders have proper and equal compression

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