🔧 Highlander - Timing Drive Inspection

Your Highlander’s 2.7L inline-4 engine uses a timing chain, not a timing belt. That means there is no timing belt service interval or belt to replace.

If you are hearing rattling on startup, have cam/crank timing codes, or suspect timing chain stretch, the repair is a much larger timing chain service involving the timing cover, chain, guides, tensioner, and precise engine timing setup.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 8-12 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Do not remove the timing cover unless you are prepared to correctly set engine mechanical timing.
• ⚠️ Incorrect timing chain installation can cause a no-start condition, poor running, or serious engine damage.
• ⚠️ Support the engine before removing any engine mount brackets.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before working near the starter, alternator wiring, or crank pulley area.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool fully before draining coolant or working near the exhaust side of the engine.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 22mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Metric wrench set 10mm-19mm
• Crankshaft pulley holding tool (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer puller (specialty)
• Engine support bar (specialty)
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Plastic trim clip remover
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Gasket scraper plastic
• Razor scraper
• Brake cleaner aerosol
• Shop towels
• Drain pan 2-gallon minimum
• Paint marker
• Feeler gauge set
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain - Qty: 1
• Timing chain tensioner - Qty: 1
• Timing chain guide set - Qty: 1
• Timing cover gasket/seal kit - Qty: 1
• Crankshaft front oil seal - Qty: 1
• Valve cover gasket - Qty: 1
• RTV sealant suitable for engine timing cover - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant Toyota-compatible pink premix - Qty: 2 gallons
• Engine oil 0W-20 synthetic - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Accessory drive belt - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• ✅ Park your Highlander on level ground and let the engine cool completely.
• ✅ Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• ✅ Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• ✅ Raise the front with a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum and support it with jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• ✅ A timing chain keeps the crankshaft and camshafts synchronized so the valves open at the correct time.
• ✅ A harmonic balancer puller is a tool used to safely pull the crank pulley off the crankshaft without prying.
• ✅ An engine support bar holds the engine from above when an engine mount must be removed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Verify This Is Not a Belt Job

• Use a flashlight if available and look at the front of the engine. Your Highlander has a sealed metal timing cover, not an external timing belt cover.
• The 2.7L engine uses a timing chain inside the engine. There is no normal timing belt replacement procedure.
• If your goal was maintenance only, stop here. No timing belt replacement is needed.
• Do not replace parts unnecessarily.

Step 2: Drain Engine Oil and Coolant

• Place a drain pan 2-gallon minimum under the engine.
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the engine oil drain plug and drain the oil.
• Reinstall the drain plug using a 14mm socket. Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).
• Drain coolant into the drain pan from the radiator drain point if accessible.
• Use nitrile gloves and safety glasses because coolant is toxic and slippery.

Step 3: Remove Lower Shields and Right Front Wheel Access

• Use a plastic trim clip remover to remove splash shield clips.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove the lower shield bolts.
• If more crank pulley access is needed, remove the right front wheel using a 21mm socket.
• Reinstall wheel later with a 21mm socket. Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the Accessory Drive Belt

• Use a 14mm socket or wrench on the belt tensioner to relieve belt tension.
• Slide the belt off the pulleys by hand.
• Take a photo of the belt routing before removal.
• Photos prevent routing mistakes.

Step 5: Support the Engine

• Install the engine support bar specialty tool across the upper body structure.
• Attach the support chain to a proper engine lift point.
• Lightly tension the support bar. Do not lift the vehicle by the engine.
• This is needed before removing mount brackets near the timing cover.

Step 6: Remove the Crankshaft Pulley

• Use the crankshaft pulley holding tool specialty tool to hold the pulley still.
• Use a 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the crankshaft pulley bolt.
• Use the harmonic balancer puller specialty tool to remove the crankshaft pulley.
• Do not pry against the timing cover.

Step 7: Remove Valve Cover and Timing Cover Components

• Use a 10mm socket to remove ignition coil bolts and harness brackets as needed.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove the valve cover bolts.
• Lift the valve cover carefully. Use a plastic trim clip remover only if gentle help is needed.
• Use 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm sockets to remove timing cover bolts and brackets.
• Keep bolts organized by location because lengths vary.

Step 8: Set Engine to Top Dead Center

• Use a 22mm socket on the crankshaft bolt area to rotate the engine clockwise only.
• Align the crankshaft and camshaft timing marks exactly to their service positions.
• Use a paint marker to mark the old chain position against the cam and crank sprockets before removal.
• Top dead center means piston number one is at the top of its stroke.
• Turn clockwise only.

Step 9: Remove Timing Chain Tensioner, Guides, and Chain

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the timing chain tensioner bolts.
• Use a 12mm socket to remove chain guide bolts as equipped.
• Remove the timing chain carefully without moving the camshaft or crankshaft sprockets.
• If either sprocket moves, stop and realign the timing marks before continuing.

Step 10: Install New Chain, Guides, and Tensioner

• Install the new timing chain with its colored links aligned to the timing marks on the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets.
• Use a 12mm socket to install the new chain guides. Tighten guide bolts to the manufacturer specification if supplied with the kit.
• Use a 10mm socket to install the new timing chain tensioner.
• Release the tensioner only after the chain and guides are correctly positioned.
• Rotate the engine two full turns clockwise using a 22mm socket, then recheck timing marks.

Step 11: Clean and Reseal the Timing Cover

• Use a plastic gasket scraper to remove old sealant from the timing cover and engine block.
• Use a razor scraper carefully only on stubborn metal surfaces.
• Clean sealing surfaces with brake cleaner aerosol and shop towels.
• Apply fresh RTV sealant suitable for engine timing cover in the same pattern as the original sealing bead.
• RTV is a liquid gasket maker that cures into a flexible seal.

Step 12: Reinstall Timing Cover and Valve Cover

• Use 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm sockets to reinstall timing cover bolts in their original locations.
• Tighten small timing cover bolts evenly. Use published kit instructions if torque specs are included.
• Install the new valve cover gasket into the valve cover.
• Use a 10mm socket to reinstall the valve cover bolts. Tighten evenly in small steps.
• Do not overtighten the valve cover bolts because the cover can crack or leak.

Step 13: Reinstall Crankshaft Pulley and Belt

• Install the crankshaft pulley by hand onto the crankshaft nose.
• Use the crankshaft pulley holding tool specialty tool to hold the pulley.
• Use a 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the crank pulley bolt to the manufacturer specification.
• Use a 14mm socket or wrench on the belt tensioner and install the accessory drive belt according to your photo.

Step 14: Refill Oil and Coolant

• Install a new oil filter by hand, then snug it according to the filter instructions.
• Add 0W-20 synthetic engine oil.
• Add Toyota-compatible pink premix coolant to the radiator and reservoir.
• Use shop towels to wipe spills immediately.

Step 15: First Start and Leak Check

• Reconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Start the engine and listen carefully for abnormal rattling or knocking.
• Check around the timing cover, valve cover, oil filter, drain plug, and coolant connections for leaks.
• If the engine runs rough or makes chain noise, shut it off immediately.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Let the engine reach operating temperature while watching the coolant level and temperature gauge.
• ✅ Top off coolant after air bubbles purge from the system.
• ✅ Recheck engine oil level after shutdown and a 5-minute wait.
• ✅ Road test gently for 10-15 minutes, then inspect again for oil or coolant leaks.
• ✅ If the check engine light comes on, scan for cam/crank correlation codes before driving farther.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,500-$2,800 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $850-$2,150 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 8-12 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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