Timing chain replacement: Toyota LC (3RZ-F, 3RZ-FE)

🧭 Before you start

Fits: platform codes 2.7, (RZJ120, 125), |, (RZJ90, 95)

• Opens: coolant, engine oil, fuel
• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
• Renewed: gasket note, gaskets all vehicles

Don't miss

• Parts must be fitted within 3 minutes of applying the sealant
• Use a wrench to counterhold
• Do not tighten the bolts

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

1. Chain guide:
2. Drain the engine oil
3. Note: Avoid bending, torsion or traction
4. Oil strainer
5. Disconnect the throttle control linkage

6. Disconnect the connector(s) from the air inlet
7. Bearing caps
8. Engine lower cover
9. All vehicles:
10. Coolant pump pulley:
11. Vehicles with air conditioning:
12. Alternator:
13. Radiator fan and shroud
14. Remove the radiator fan and shroud
15. Remove the alternator drive belt adjusting bar
16. Remove the alternator bracket
17. Disconnect the crankshaft position sensor
18. Vehicles without air conditioning:
19. Vehicles without air conditioning:
20. Remove the coolant pump
21. All vehicles:
22. Remove the air-conditioning compressor
23. Check the cylinder head bolts
24. Renew if necessary
25. Disconnect the coolant temperature sensor electrical connector
26. Disconnect the heater hose from the cylinder head
27. Remove the EGR pipe
28. In the order shown
29. Disconnect the coolant hoses
30. Stage 3:
31. Disconnect the fuel lines
32. Disconnect the coolant hoses
33. Remove the ignition coil with bracket
34. Unleaded fuel
35. Remove the ignition coil
36. In the order shown
37. Remove the oil filler cap
38. Turn the crankshaft to TDC for cylinder 1
39. Align the camshaft timing marks
40. Check the camshaft gearwheel marks
41. Remove the upper chain tensioner
42. Remove the camshaft gearwheels
43. Remove the camshafts
44. Disconnect the cylinder head electrical connections
45. Remove the bolts in the order shown
46. Remove the cylinder head gasket
47. Remove the coolant pump pulley
48. Remove the crankshaft pulley
49. Use a special tool to lock the crankshaft
50. Remove the front differential housing
51. Remove the triangular stiffener(s)
52. Remove the flywheel guard plate
53. Use the special tool
54. Bolt
55. Remove the timing chain cover
56. Remove the timing chain
57. Remove the crankshaft gearwheel
58. Vehicles with air conditioning:
59. Remove the chain guide(s)
60. Remove the balance shaft chain tensioner
61. Remove the balance shaft drive chain

Installation and checks

62. Check the timing marks again
63. Refit the balance shaft chain guide rails
64. Unlock the tensioner
65. Refit the chain guide(s)
66. Refit the timing chain cover
67. Renew the gasket
68. Refit the oil sump
69. Note: Parts must be fitted within 3 minutes of applying the sealant
70. Refit the flywheel cover plate
71. Refit the flywheel cover plate
72. Refit the triangular stiffener(s)
73. Renew the cylinder head gasket
74. Reconnect the earth cable to the cylinder head
75. Fit the camshaft gearwheel and chain
76. Note: Use a wrench to counterhold
77. Note: Parts must be fitted within 3 minutes of applying the sealant
78. Fit the cover plugs
79. Refit the upper chain tensioner
80. Renew the gasket
81. Note: Use a wrench to counterhold
82. Turn the crankshaft to TDC for cylinder 1
83. Check the camshaft timing marks
84. Fit the spark plug seals
85. Note: Parts must be fitted within 3 minutes of applying the sealant
86. Refit the cylinder head cover
87. All vehicles:
88. Reconnect the coolant hoses
89. Refit the air inlet box
90. Refit the bracket
91. Renew the gaskets
92. All vehicles:
93. Fit the coolant pump
94. Refit the crankshaft position sensor
95. Reconnect the crankshaft position sensor
96. Refit the alternator drive belt adjusting bar
97. Refit the alternator
98. Note: Do not tighten the bolts
99. Fit the cooling fan pulley
100. Refit the fan and the viscous coupling
101. Refit the cooling fan shroud
102. Reconnect the radiator expansion tank
103. Fit the alternator drive belt
104. Tighten the adjustment bolt
105. Tighten the alternator
106. Check the drive belt tension
107. Refit the upper radiator support seal
108. Vehicles with air conditioning:
109. Fit the compressor drive belt
110. Tighten the adjustment bolt
111. Tighten the bolt
112. Check the drive belt tension
113. All vehicles:
114. Fit the coolant pump drive belt
115. Tighten the adjustment bolt
116. Tighten the coolant pump pulley
117. Check the drive belt tension
118. Vehicles with automatic transmission
119. Refit the oil filler tube
120. Refit the oil level indicator
121. All vehicles:
122. Refit the front exhaust pipe
123. Renew the gasket
124. Reconnect the connector(s)
125. Reconnect the vacuum hose
126. Refit the air filter with the inlet hose
127. Refit the harness clip
128. Connect the temperature sensor
129. Reconnect the mass airflow meter
130. Vehicles with automatic transmission
131. Reconnect the throttle control linkage
132. Vehicles with manual gearbox:
133. Reconnect the accelerator cable
134. All vehicles:
135. Refill the cooling system
136. Refill the engine oil
137. Refit the oil filler cap
138. Reconnect the battery earth cable
139. Start the engine
140. Check that the idle speed is stable
141. Check the ignition timing
142. Use the special tool
143. Check for leaks
144. Refit the engine lower covers

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