This procedure covers removal and replacement of the cylinder head gasket on the 2014-2019 Toyota Corolla 1.8L I4 engine, including disassembly of associated components, cylinder head removal, cleaning, and reassembly with proper torque specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Cylinder head gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Cylinder head bolt set (10 bolts) × 1 — Use OEM specification - single use bolts
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Intake manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Exhaust manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing chain cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Spark plug tube seals × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Oil filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine coolant O-rings and seals × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (Pink) — 7.5 qt
• Toyota Genuine 0W-20 — 4.5 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. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on front clips
4. Drain engine coolant completely into appropriate container by opening radiator drain cock and removing radiator cap
5. Drain engine oil and remove oil filter
6. Remove air intake assembly from throttle body to air filter housing
7. Label and disconnect all vacuum lines, electrical connectors, and fuel lines from intake manifold and cylinder head
8. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump relay and cranking engine until it stops
9. Position vehicle on level ground with adequate overhead clearance for engine support fixture

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove Accessory Drive Components
   Remove serpentine belt by rotating tensioner clockwise with 14mm socket. Remove alternator mounting bolts and position alternator aside without disconnecting wiring. Remove power steering pump bolts and secure pump out of the way without disconnecting hydraulic lines. Remove any remaining accessories blocking access to cylinder head.
2. 2

   Support Engine and Remove Motor Mount
   Install engine support fixture across engine bay or attach engine hoist to lifting eyes on engine block. Apply slight upward tension to support engine weight. Remove right-side engine mount and mounting bracket bolts. The engine needs to be supported to access timing cover and provide working clearance.
   ⚠Ensure engine support is secure and stable before removing motor mount bolts.
3. 3

   Remove Valve Cover
   Disconnect ignition coils electrical connectors and remove four 10mm bolts securing each coil. Remove ignition coils from spark plug tubes. Remove PCV hoses and breather hoses from valve cover. Remove valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (outside to inside pattern). Carefully lift valve cover off cylinder head, breaking seal with plastic scraper if necessary.
4. 4

   Remove Timing Chain Cover and Set Engine to TDC
   Remove crankshaft pulley bolt using appropriate holding tool (requires significant torque to loosen). Remove timing chain cover bolts and carefully separate cover from engine block. Rotate crankshaft clockwise using 22mm socket on crankshaft bolt until timing marks on camshaft sprockets align with marks on timing chain cover surface and crankshaft is at Top Dead Center (TDC) for cylinder #1. Verify alignment marks on both camshaft sprockets match the notches. Install camshaft timing holding tools to lock camshafts in position.
   ⚠️Do not rotate crankshaft counterclockwise. Do not rotate camshafts independently once timing chain is exposed.
5. 5

   Remove Timing Chain from Camshaft Sprockets
   Mark timing chain position relative to camshaft sprocket timing marks with paint marker for reference. Remove camshaft sprocket bolts while holding camshafts with timing tool. Carefully slide timing chain off camshaft sprockets. Secure timing chain to prevent it from falling into timing cover using wire or zip ties. Do not allow crankshaft to rotate from TDC position.
   ⚠Keep timing chain engaged on crankshaft sprocket. If chain falls off crankshaft sprocket, complete timing system reset is required.
6. 6

   Remove Exhaust Manifold
   Spray exhaust manifold nuts with penetrating oil and allow to soak. From underneath vehicle, disconnect exhaust pipe from exhaust manifold by removing three 14mm nuts at flex joint. Remove exhaust manifold heat shield. Remove seven exhaust manifold nuts in reverse sequence (center to ends). Remove exhaust manifold and gasket from cylinder head studs.
   ℹ️Exhaust studs may come out with nuts if seized. Replace any damaged studs before reassembly.
   Torque spec

   Exhaust Manifold Nuts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove Intake Manifold
   Disconnect throttle body coolant hoses and electrical connector. Remove throttle body mounting bolts and set aside. Remove fuel rail with injectors by removing two bolts - leave fuel lines connected and position assembly safely aside. Remove intake manifold support brackets. Remove six intake manifold bolts and two nuts in reverse order (outside to inside). Carefully lift intake manifold off cylinder head and remove gasket.
   Torque spec

   Intake Manifold Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove Camshaft Bearing Caps
   With camshafts still locked in position with timing tools, loosen camshaft bearing cap bolts in multiple passes (1/4 turn at a time) in reverse of tightening sequence. Start from outer caps and work toward center. Remove all bearing cap bolts and carefully lift off bearing caps, keeping them in order and orientation for reinstallation. Remove camshafts and place on clean surface. Mark intake vs exhaust cam orientation.
   ⚠Loosening bearing caps unevenly can bend camshafts. Follow sequence strictly and loosen gradually.
9. 9

   Remove Cylinder Head Bolts and Head
   Remove cylinder head bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (outside to inside, in three passes). Cylinder head has 10 bolts total. Once all bolts are removed, carefully lift cylinder head straight up off engine block. Use pry points if necessary but do not pry between head and block surfaces. Remove and discard old head gasket. Place cylinder head on clean padded surface with combustion chambers facing up.
   ⚠️Cylinder head is heavy (approximately 40 lbs). Use proper lifting technique or get assistance.
   Torque spec

   Cylinder Head Bolts - Step 140 Nm (30 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Clean and Inspect Surfaces
    Thoroughly clean cylinder head mating surface and engine block surface using plastic gasket scraper. Remove all traces of old gasket material. Clean surfaces with brake cleaner and lint-free rags. Use straightedge and feeler gauge to check cylinder head flatness across multiple angles. Maximum allowable warpage is 0.05mm (0.002 inches). Check block surface flatness as well. Inspect cylinder head for cracks, especially between valves and in combustion chambers. If warpage exceeds specification or cracks are found, cylinder head must be machined or replaced.
    ⚠Do not use metal scrapers on aluminum surfaces. Do not allow debris to fall into cylinder bores or oil passages.
11. 11

    Install New Head Gasket and Position Cylinder Head
    Verify engine block is still at TDC position. Clean cylinder bores with lint-free cloth. Install new head gasket on engine block with TOP or OBEN mark facing upward. Align all dowel pins and coolant passages. Ensure gasket seats fully on block surface. Carefully lower cylinder head onto block, aligning with dowel pins. Do not slide head once in contact with gasket.
    ⚠Head gasket orientation is critical. Verify TOP mark is visible and facing up before installing head.
12. 12

    Install and Torque Cylinder Head Bolts
    Install 10 new cylinder head bolts (never reuse old TTY bolts) and hand tighten all bolts. Using torque wrench, tighten all bolts to 29 Nm (22 lb-ft) in sequence from center outward. Install angle gauge on torque wrench. Tighten all bolts an additional 90 degrees in same sequence. Finally, tighten all bolts another 90 degrees in same sequence (total 180 degrees beyond initial torque). Verify all bolts have been turned exactly 180 degrees total.
    ⚠️Must use NEW cylinder head bolts. Old bolts have been stretched and will not provide proper clamping force.
    Torque spec

    Cylinder Head Bolts - Step 140 Nm (30 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install Camshafts and Bearing Caps
    Lubricate camshaft journals with fresh engine oil. Install intake and exhaust camshafts in correct positions with timing marks accessible. Install bearing caps in their original positions (they are numbered and directional). Install camshaft bearing cap bolts and tighten in sequence from center outward in multiple passes to 15 Nm (11 lb-ft). Verify camshafts rotate smoothly by hand.
14. 14

    Reinstall Timing Chain and Verify Timing
    Verify crankshaft is still at TDC and camshaft timing tools are installed. Install camshaft sprockets and engage timing chain, aligning painted marks with sprocket timing marks. Install sprocket bolts and torque while holding camshafts with timing tool. Remove camshaft timing holding tools. Rotate crankshaft two complete revolutions clockwise and verify timing marks realign at TDC. Reinstall timing chain cover with new gasket and tighten bolts. Install crankshaft pulley and torque bolt to specification.
    ⚠️Verify timing alignment is perfect before proceeding. Incorrect timing will cause immediate engine damage when started.
15. 15

    Reassemble Remaining Components
    Install exhaust manifold with new gasket and torque nuts to 32 Nm (24 lb-ft) in sequence from center outward. Install intake manifold with new gasket and torque bolts to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft). Reinstall fuel rail and throttle body. Install valve cover with new gasket, ensuring spark plug tube seals are properly seated. Torque valve cover bolts to 13 Nm (10 lb-ft) in sequence. Reinstall ignition coils. Reinstall all accessories, motor mount, and drive belt. Reconnect all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and fuel lines.
    Torque spec

    Exhaust Manifold Nuts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

    Intake Manifold Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and coolant hoses are properly reconnected
2. Install new oil filter and refill engine with 4.5 quarts of Toyota Genuine 0W-20 oil
3. Refill cooling system with 7.5 quarts of Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (Pink), bleeding air from system at bleeder valve on thermostat housing
4. Reconnect negative battery cable
5. Before starting engine, rotate crankshaft by hand two complete revolutions to verify no interference and proper operation

Verification

• Prime fuel system by cycling ignition on/off three times without cranking
• Start engine and verify it runs smoothly without unusual noises, immediately checking for coolant, oil, or fuel leaks
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature while monitoring for leaks and checking coolant level
• Verify no check engine lights are present and timing is properly set (may require scanner verification)
• After initial warm-up, shut off engine, allow to cool, and recheck cylinder head bolt torque with angle gauge (add slight additional rotation if needed per service manual)
• Test drive vehicle and monitor engine temperature, oil pressure, and overall performance
• Recheck all fluid levels after test drive and inspect for any new leaks
• After 500 miles, recheck valve cover, intake manifold, and exhaust manifold for any seepage and retorque if necessary

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