Hey all, couldn't find something on the specifics for removing and reinstalling new camshaft plugs at the rear of the motor.
My question is once I remove the valve cover and the retaining bracket on the back side will the cam plug come out or is there more that needs to be disassembled? I had all this apart when I did heads but I can't remember if the plug came out with the cam still in place.

 

The cam plugs are held in place by the rear camshaft bearing cap. They will stay in place if valve covers are removed. To replace the cam plugs i find it easiest to remove the rear cam bearing caps, remove the plugs, install new plugs, install cam bearing caps, etc.. Be careful of the 2 rear bolts holding the cam bearing cap on the drivers side as they are notorious for stripping the threads in the head.

 

Ok, great. any tips on keeping them from stripping out?

 

I studded mine.

 

The passenger front and driver rear. Just not many threads for the bolts to bite on.

 

Gotcha, so really no worry in removing them? Any thoughts on replacing them with longer threads? If not could you provide me with the specs on how to stud them? that seems like a pretty good idea.

 

No worries on removing them. If you see any aluminum come out with the bolts or loose in the hole(pieces of the threads) you will probably have a problem at some point. Toyota really should have used longer bolts for those 4.

just one of those things to look out for, you may not have any issues.

 

Maybe you値l have some insight to this as well. i seem to have this thick white smoke upon start up goes away after 5miles of driving. Did a block test and compression test and they both passed (did block test with engine cold and hot). I did remove the cat a while back could this cause excess of condensation build up?

 

loosing any antifreeze?
Does smoke smell sweet?
What does your Oil look like?
Any condensation on inside of oil filler cap?

 

 

My first thought would be head gasket but you say not loosing any coolant and oil looks good, so that is a good sign. How much smoke is one of those subjective things. Always going to see some exhaust when it's cold out, but as it gets warmer any visible exhaust should be non existent. Would probably just keep an eye on it, start loosing coolant or a milkshake for oil an you know it is head gasket time.

Hopefully some others will chime in with suggestions.

 

Hopefully not a head gasket.

My thought is without the cat more condensation is able to make it out the tailpipe as steam. If it was a head gasket I would think i壇 loose coolant fast if its coming out the exhaust but I havent topped it off since last August when I replaced the radiator.

 

Finished the Valve cover job today, I decide to just leave the cam plugs, they didn't seem to be leaking, but it was hard to tell. I've read of a couple people replacing them without removing the valve covers or plenum. Anyone else have any luck with this? I'm going to drive it a while and check again if they are leaking, but it looked like the valve cover leak was just pushing oil toward the cam plug but they themselves didn't seem to have any oil when feeling around under them.

 

Maybe you値l know if this is an issue. valve covers were leaking again so I did it again and did the cam plugs as well. However whoever didnthis last broke off on of the retaining plate bolts on the passenger side. I put RTV between the cam plug and the retaining plate and put it back on with just the one bolt. Seems to be pretty tight and the plate doesnt rotate at all. Do you think this will be ok? I知 not sure how i値l get the broken off bolt out of the head if not.