Tech Tip T-TT-0012-10 August, 2010

Subject Market

2GR-FE Valve Timing Tips USA

Service Category Section

Engine/Hybrid System Engine Mechanical

Applicability

2GR-FE Equipped Vehicles

APPLICABLE VEHICLES

2010 – 2011 Avalon 2010 – 2011 Camry

2010 – 2011 Highlander 2010 – 2011 RAV4
2010 – 2011 Sienna 2009 – 2011 Venza

CONDITION
This Tech Tip provides valve timing inspection tips and service guidelines for vehicles equipped with
2GR-FE engines.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Figure 1.

LH Bank (Bank 2)
RH Bank (Bank 1) Intake Camshaft Timing Gear
Intake Camshaft Timing Gear

RH Bank (Bank 1) LH Bank (Bank 2)

Exhaust Camshaft Timing Gear Exhaust Camshaft
Idler Gear Timing Gear

RH Bank (Bank 1)
#2 Timing Chain LH Bank (Bank 2)
#2 Timing Chain

Timing Chain
Crankshaft

Tech Tip 08/25/2010 © 2010, Toyota Motor Sales,USA Page 1 of 4

Ver. 1.0 2/9/2010 T
 Tech Tip T-TT-0012-10 August, 2010
Subject Market

2GR-FE Valve Timing Tips USA

Applicability

2GR-FE Equipped Vehicles

RECOMMENDATIONS

Inspection
Figure 2.

1. Set the No. 1 cylinder to TDC/compression

A. Set the timing mark to 0° on the timing chain cover by
rotating the crankshaft clockwise.

B. Verify the timing marks on the camshaft timing gears

are in general alignment with the timing marks of the
camshaft bearing cap:

TIMING MARK IDENTIFICATION

CYLINDER INTAKE GEAR EXHAUST GEAR
BANK MARK MARK
RH Bank Small Mark Single Line
(Bank 1)
LH Bank Large Mark Double Line
(Bank 2)

HINT:
When the engine is correctly timed, the timing marks may NOT perfectly align.

Figure 3. RH Bank Exhaust Camshaft Timing Gear Figure 4. RH Bank Intake Camshaft Timing Gear
Bearing Cap Timing Mark Bearing Cap Timing Mark

Gear Timing Mark Gear Timing Mark

Tech Tip 08/25/2010 © 2010, Toyota Motor Sales,USA Page 2 of 4

 Tech Tip T-TT-0012-10 August, 2010
Subject Market

2GR-FE Valve Timing Tips USA

Applicability

2GR-FE Equipped Vehicles

RECOMMENDATIONS
Inspection (Continued)

Figure 5. LH Bank Intake Camshaft Timing Gear Figure 6. LH Bank Exhaust Camshaft Timing Gear
Bearing Cap Timing Mark Bearing Cap Timing Mark

Gear Timing Mark Gear Timing Mark

HINT:
If the timing marks appear vastly out of alignment, turn the crankshaft one
revolution (360°) clockwise and note the position of the timing marks.

Component Removal Guidelines

1. If engine disassembly that involves removing the camshafts or timing gears is required, set the #1
cylinder to TDC compression, wipe away any oil, and mark the following items in relation to each other
prior to disassembly:
 Timing Gears
 Timing Chain
 Timing Chain No.2

NOTE:
This relationship MUST be maintained. The intake gear is timed in relation to the crankshaft via the
timing chain; the exhaust gear is timed in relation to the intake gear via the No. 2 timing chain.

Tech Tip 08/25/2010 © 2010, Toyota Motor Sales,USA Page 3 of 4

 Tech Tip T-TT-0012-10 August, 2010
Subject Market

2GR-FE Valve Timing Tips USA

Applicability

2GR-FE Equipped Vehicles

RECOMMENDATIONS
Component Removal Guidelines (Continued)

2. If NEW camshaft timing gears or the No. 2 timing chain Figure 7.

are being installed, the two yellow links on the No.2 timing
chain can be used to ensure correct relationship between
the intake timing gear and the exhaust timing gear.

Yellow Link
A. Align the paint mark on the timing chain with the intake gear timing mark (to ensure the intake gear is
correctly timed to the crankshaft).
Figure 8. RH Bank Figure 9. LH Bank
Yellow Links Yellow Links

Gear Timing Mark Timing Chain Gear Timing Mark Gear Timing Mark Timing Chain Gear Timing Mark
Paint Mark Paint Mark

B. Align the two yellow links on the No. 2 timing chain to the timing marks on the new camshaft gears (to
ensure the exhaust gear is correctly timed to the intake gear).

Tech Tip 08/25/2010 © 2010, Toyota Motor Sales,USA Page 4 of 4