3 tips to replace timing belt on Toyota 2UZ-FE engines
Published 2020-02-12
The best video I've found is the one made by OTRAMM in December 2018. The 2nd best video is the one made by 1A-Auto in September 2011. I use OTRAMM's video as the major source, and 1A-Auto's video as the backup. In addition, I am sharing 3 useful tips that were missed in their videos.
1. Remove the A/C compressor bolts. OTRAMM's video cannot help you to locate the bolts because the entire engine was extracted from the vehicle. 1A-Auto's video didn't mention that the rear bolt should NOT be removed, otherwise you will have hard time to put it back in. You should only loose it so that the timing belt lower-right cover in the front can be removed.
2. Remove the camshaft pulley bolt (harmonic balancer pulley bolt). OTRAMM's video didn't mention the help from steel frame because the entire engine is out of the vehicle. 1A-Auto's video uses an impact wrench which doesn't work in my case. In my opinion, the last resort is always buying 2 breaker bars + a specialized tool (harmonic balancer crank holder) shown in OTRAMM's video + using the vehicle's steel frame as leverage to hold one breaker bar + using all your strength on another breaker bar to manually loose the very tight bolt. IMHO, Toyota should use dovetail gear here to spare the trouble.
3. Install the timing belt in an easy manner. All relevant videos I found on youtube have trouble in installing the timing belt properly. It's very hard for them to put timing belt on the RCAMM pulley (upperleft pulley in video). My tip is properly placing the timing belt at first, then install the No.1 idler pulley and No.2 idler pulley AFTER the timing belt is already in place. I have no trouble at all to put everything in their places.
All Comments (3)
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nice to see hands on job like this
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Just an FYI, I removed the two front bolts that go through the AC compressor and into the fan bracket and never touched that rear bolt at all. I know OTRAMM says you need to loosen it but I found it was unnecessary. The fan bracket slides out just fine leaving that back bolt alone. Also, by not loosening it and moving the compressor it helps keep everything lined up for replacing it after you have the belt and waterpump in. Have a look at the video by 'How To Automotive' titled "How to Replace the Timing Belt and Water Pump on a 2002-2009 Lexus GX470" (same Toyota 4.7L as tundras, 4runners, etc). He begins the process of removing the fan bracket at 14:07. He also doesn't touch that rear compressor bolt and slides the fan bracket right out.
