Complete removal and reinstallation of the 2.5L I4 engine assembly from a 2018-2024 Toyota Camry, including separation from transmission and all accessories.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Engine oil and filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — 90430-12031
• Engine coolant × 1 — Toyota Super Long Life Coolant
• Exhaust manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Intake manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Various hose clamps (assorted) × 1 — Replace any damaged clamps
• Engine mount hardware (inspect and replace if worn) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, stable ground and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal, then positive terminal. Wait 10 minutes for airbag system capacitors to discharge
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on perimeter clips
4. Drain engine coolant by opening radiator drain valve and removing radiator cap slowly after engine is cool
5. Drain engine oil and remove oil filter
6. Raise vehicle on jack stands and remove front wheels
7. Remove front splash shields and undercovers to access lower engine components
8. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump relay and cranking engine until it stalls
9. Place a blanket or protective covering over front fenders to prevent damage during engine removal

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect air intake system and battery
   Remove engine air intake duct and air filter box assembly. Disconnect Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor electrical connector. Remove battery hold-down bracket and remove battery. Remove battery tray for additional clearance.
2. 2

   Disconnect cooling system components
   Disconnect upper and lower radiator hoses from engine. Disconnect heater hoses at firewall connections. Remove radiator assembly by disconnecting cooling fan connectors and unbolting radiator mounting brackets. Label all hoses for reassembly.
3. 3

   Remove accessory drive components
   Remove serpentine belt by rotating tensioner counterclockwise. Disconnect AC compressor electrical connector, unbolt compressor and secure to frame without disconnecting refrigerant lines. Remove alternator electrical connections and mounting bolts, then remove alternator. Disconnect power steering pressure sensor if equipped (note: this vehicle uses electric power steering with no pump).
   Torque spec

   AC Compressor Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   Alternator Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Disconnect fuel system and throttle body
   Disconnect fuel supply line from fuel rail using fuel line disconnect tool. Cap open fuel line to prevent contamination. Disconnect throttle body electrical connector and all vacuum lines. Label each vacuum line connection point. Disconnect brake booster vacuum line at intake manifold.
5. 5

   Disconnect engine electrical harnesses
   Disconnect engine control module (ECM) connectors. Disconnect all ignition coil connectors, injector connectors, oxygen sensor connectors, and ground straps. Disconnect starter motor electrical connections. Tag each connector with corresponding location. Remove main engine harness mounting clips from cylinder head and engine block.
   Torque spec

   Electrical Connector Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Disconnect exhaust system
   From underneath vehicle, disconnect oxygen sensor connectors if not already done. Remove exhaust manifold-to-downpipe nuts while supporting exhaust system. Lower exhaust system away from engine. Note: Apply penetrating oil to exhaust nuts well in advance if possible due to high heat exposure.
   Torque spec

   Exhaust Manifold Nuts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove starter motor and lower engine components
   Remove starter motor mounting bolts and carefully lower starter away from transmission bellhousing. Disconnect any remaining sensors on lower engine block including crankshaft position sensor and knock sensors. Remove lower engine covers if not already removed.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Support transmission and disconnect from engine
   Position transmission jack or engine support bar to securely hold transmission weight. Remove all transmission-to-engine bolts, working from top and bottom of bellhousing. There are typically 6-8 bolts of varying lengths - keep bolts organized by location. Ensure transmission is fully supported before removing final bolts.
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Disconnect engine mounts
   Remove right-side engine mount (timing chain side) by first removing upper mount-to-frame bolts, then lower mount-to-block bolts. Remove left-side engine mount in same sequence. Remove front engine mount bolts. Remove rear engine mount through-bolt. Engine should now be free from chassis with only hoist supporting weight.
   Torque spec

   Engine Mount-to-Frame Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)

   Engine Mount-to-Block Bolts65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Separate engine from transmission and remove
    With hoist securely attached to engine lifting points, slowly lift engine while monitoring clearance around transmission input shaft and all connection points. Use load leveler to adjust engine angle as needed. Gently pry engine away from transmission if necessary, being careful not to damage torque converter or input shaft. Once engine clears transmission shaft (approximately 4-6 inches of travel), continue lifting and tilting engine forward to clear radiator support and remove from engine bay.

Reassembly

1. Clean all gasket mating surfaces on engine block, cylinder head, and transmission bellhousing using gasket scraper. Ensure no debris falls into engine openings
2. Install new intake manifold and exhaust manifold gaskets. Apply anti-seize compound to exhaust manifold studs
3. Inspect flywheel for cracks or heat damage. If flywheel was removed, install with new TTY bolts in star pattern sequence
4. Apply small amount of high-temperature grease to transmission input shaft splines before mating engine to transmission
5. When lowering engine into bay, align engine with transmission carefully to avoid damaging torque converter or pilot bearing. May require helper to guide alignment
6. Install transmission-to-engine bolts hand-tight first, then torque in star pattern to ensure even clamping
7. Install engine mounts in reverse order of removal, torquing frame bolts before block bolts to allow proper alignment
8. Reconnect all electrical connectors using labels created during disassembly. Ensure all connectors click securely into place
9. Install new oil filter and refill engine oil. Install new oil drain plug crush washer
10. Refill cooling system with Toyota Super Long Life Coolant. Bleed air from system by running engine with heater on high until thermostat opens
11. Double-check all fluid levels before starting engine
12. Reinstall serpentine belt ensuring proper routing around all pulleys and tensioner

Verification

• Before starting engine, verify all electrical connectors are seated, all hoses are connected, and no tools remain in engine bay
• Check that all mounting bolts are torqued to specification and no fasteners are missing
• Verify coolant level is correct and system is bled of air
• Start engine and immediately check for fluid leaks (oil, coolant, fuel). Shut down immediately if leaks are detected
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature while monitoring coolant temperature gauge for proper thermostat operation
• Check for unusual noises, vibrations, or warning lights on instrument cluster
• Verify all accessories operate correctly: AC compressor engages smoothly, alternator charges battery (13.5-14.5V), no belt squeal
• Test drive vehicle to verify normal operation, smooth acceleration, proper transmission engagement, and no vibration at all speeds
• Recheck all fluid levels after test drive and inspect for any leaks that may develop after initial operation
• Clear any diagnostic trouble codes that may have set during battery disconnect, then verify no new codes appear

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