This procedure covers replacement of a single valve spring on the 2ZR-FE engine, requiring removal of the valve cover, camshafts, and use of a valve spring compressor to access the failed spring.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Valve spring (specify intake or exhaust) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — 11213-37010
• Valve cover bolt grommets × 1 — Use OEM specification
• PCV valve grommet (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Anti-seize compound × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Toyota Genuine 0W-20 — 0.5 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold before beginning work
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 90 seconds for airbag system to discharge
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on four mounting points
4. Remove air intake tube and air filter housing assembly
5. Disconnect PCV hoses and breather hoses from valve cover
6. Disconnect ignition coil electrical connectors and remove all four ignition coils
7. Label spark plug wires if not already marked by cylinder number
8. Place clean shop towels around work area to catch any debris

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove spark plugs
   Remove all four spark plugs using a spark plug socket. Inspect each plug and note any abnormal wear patterns that might indicate other engine issues. Store plugs in order by cylinder number for reference.
2. 2

   Remove valve cover
   Remove the twelve valve cover bolts in reverse of the tightening sequence (start from outside, work inward). Carefully lift valve cover straight up - it may require gentle prying with a plastic scraper. Do not pry against machined sealing surfaces. Remove and discard the old gasket.
3. 3

   Rotate engine to TDC cylinder 1
   Using a 19mm socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt, rotate the engine clockwise until cylinder 1 is at Top Dead Center (TDC) on the compression stroke. Verify timing marks on the camshaft sprockets align with the timing marks on the chain cover. This ensures the engine is in a safe position before camshaft removal.
4. 4

   Mark and remove camshaft bearing caps
   Using a permanent marker, clearly mark each camshaft bearing cap with its position number and orientation arrow pointing toward the front of the engine. Remove bearing cap bolts in multiple passes, working from the outside caps toward the center, loosening each bolt 1/4 turn at a time to gradually release valve spring pressure. Remove caps in order and store them in sequence.
   ⚠Loosening bearing caps unevenly can bend or break the camshafts - always loosen gradually in multiple passes
5. 5

   Remove camshafts
   Carefully lift out both intake and exhaust camshafts. Mark which is intake and which is exhaust. Inspect cam lobes for wear or damage. Place camshafts on a clean surface where they will not roll. Note the position of the camshaft timing sprockets and chain relationship before removal.
6. 6

   Remove rocker arms and identify target valve
   Remove all rocker arms and hydraulic lash adjusters, keeping them in order by cylinder and valve position. Identify which valve corresponds to the failed spring. Clean the area around the target valve thoroughly to prevent any debris from entering the cylinder.
   ℹ️Hydraulic lash adjusters must be stored upright in clean engine oil to prevent air from entering
7. 7

   Install valve spring compressor
   Position the valve spring compressor tool over the target valve spring. Ensure the valve is fully seated (not held open). Apply compressed air to the spark plug hole of that cylinder at approximately 100 PSI to hold the valve closed against its seat, or alternatively stuff clean rope into the cylinder through the spark plug hole to prevent valve drop. Carefully compress the spring using the compressor tool.
   ⚠️Valve must be prevented from dropping into cylinder - use compressed air or rope method to hold valve against seat
8. 8

   Remove valve keepers and spring
   With spring compressed, use a magnetic tool to carefully remove the two valve keepers (collets). Slowly release spring compressor tension and remove the spring retainer, valve spring, and valve stem seal. Inspect the valve stem for damage or excessive wear. If replacing the seal, use a seal removal tool to extract the old seal without damaging the valve guide.
9. 9

   Install new valve spring
   Install new valve stem seal if needed by carefully pressing it onto the valve guide. Place the new valve spring over the valve stem with the closer-wound coils facing downward toward the cylinder head. Install the spring retainer. Using the valve spring compressor, compress the new spring sufficiently to expose the keeper grooves on the valve stem.
10. 10

    Install valve keepers
    Carefully position both valve keepers into the keeper grooves on the valve stem while the spring is compressed. Ensure keepers are fully seated in the grooves. Slowly release the spring compressor while observing that the keepers remain properly seated. Once released, gently tap the valve stem tip with a plastic tool to ensure keepers are locked in place. Remove compressed air or rope from cylinder.
    ⚠Improperly seated keepers will allow the valve to drop into the cylinder when engine starts
11. 11

    Reinstall rocker arms and lash adjusters
    Clean all rocker arm and lash adjuster contact surfaces. Lubricate hydraulic lash adjusters with fresh engine oil and install them in their original positions. Install rocker arms in their original positions, ensuring each is properly seated on both the valve stem and lash adjuster.
12. 12

    Reinstall camshafts
    Apply clean engine oil to all camshaft journals and lobes. Position camshafts back into the cylinder head in their correct locations (intake and exhaust). Ensure timing chain remains engaged with sprockets and timing marks are still aligned. Verify all rocker arms are positioned correctly under the cam lobes.
13. 13

    Install camshaft bearing caps
    Install bearing caps in their exact original positions following the orientation marks made during removal. Install cap bolts finger-tight, then tighten in multiple passes working from the center caps outward. Use the specified torque sequence: tighten each bolt gradually in 10 Nm increments until reaching final torque specification. Ensure camshafts rotate smoothly by hand after installation.
    ⚠Bearing caps installed in wrong positions or orientations will seize and destroy the camshafts
    Torque spec

    Rocker Arm Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install valve cover
    Clean all old gasket material from valve cover and cylinder head mating surfaces using a plastic scraper. Install new valve cover grommets and gasket. Position valve cover carefully onto cylinder head, ensuring gasket remains properly aligned. Install valve cover bolts and tighten in the specified sequence from center outward.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall spark plugs and ignition components
    Apply a small amount of anti-seize compound to spark plug threads. Install all four spark plugs hand-tight, then torque to specification using a torque wrench. Install ignition coils and reconnect electrical connectors. Ensure all coils are fully seated.
    Torque spec

    Spark Plugs - Aluminum Head20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reconnect all PCV hoses and breather hoses to valve cover
2. Reinstall air filter housing and intake tube
3. Install engine cover by pressing down on four mounting points until clips engage
4. Reconnect negative battery cable
5. Add 0.5 quart of fresh 0W-20 engine oil to compensate for oil lost during procedure

Verification

• Start engine and listen for any abnormal valve train noise - ticking or tapping may indicate improperly seated components
• Check for oil leaks around valve cover gasket while engine is running
• Allow engine to reach normal operating temperature and verify smooth idle
• Perform a brief test drive and monitor for any performance issues or warning lights
• Recheck valve cover bolts for proper torque after engine has cooled
• Monitor oil consumption over the next few hundred miles to ensure valve seal is sealing properly

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