3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
When they decided to locate the "under the hood VSV". I replaced mine on my sis's 99 camry and it was a big PIA. After removing the front passenger wheel, I finaly had a visual on it. About 2 feet angled from the rotor just to under the TB. Used three extensions and a universal joint 12 mm socket and still had problems getting that bolt off after spraying it with PB blaster. Finaly used a breaker bar for leverage and a few taps with a mallet and Viola, it busted loose. Disconnecting the vacuume lines and elec. connector was another treat as I have bigger hands and it's a long reach to get to it. So blah blah blah, i'm ready to install the new one. Hooking up the lines wasn't to bad but to thread that bolt back in, FORGET IT!!!! . Well, I almost had it then the bolt dropped down. I just needed like two more inches of arm. Bolt dropped one more time but this time, I didn't know where. I spent 20 min feeling around and it's stuck in some nook somewhere. I said screw it(but the rated R version it of that line) and tucked things in a manner that I don't think it will go anywhere unbolted. I will get a new bolt from dealership and just try agin some other day. I tell you, I think going thru a root canal would have been more pleasurable than this task. Couldn't Toyota find a much better spot for this than that. What were they thinking! Help me out anyone if there was a better way.
Yea, I tried the ramps at first but couldnt squeze past the drive shaft/oil pan/etc. I'm at a stocky 6'5 and it wasn't fun, but it's done. Hopefully my P446 code goes away. If not i will do the rear, which is cake. I already checked it out but the part was on order so thats why I didn't do that first. Whatever!!!!! Tom, I'm sure you had some choice words as I did about this!
Thank you for the laugh. Toyota is not alone in the hard to reach parts department. Most car companies have the same problems, it's the price to pay for having FWD.
All modern vehicles are engineered for the assembly line, not for easy access to potentail failed components. There may or may not be some compromise for maintenance.
Some mfgs are worse than others. Personally, I detest Honda, both motorcycle and auto because of stuff like this.
Last edited by Michael503; 03-16-2010 at 07:59 AM.
haha, good one sounds almost like my trouble with even locating the so called "Air Assist" vacuum line connecting TB and back of cylinder head (by fuel injectors) on my '00 5s-fe (california emission specs) hehe. can't even see it from any angle ...
to cheer you up i can say that i had a doubtful pleasure of replacing the oil pressure switch on old '92 Buick V6 ... through the passenger wheel well ... no space to maneuver any tools ... in the end had to use jaw grip pliers using about 15 degree rotation angle each time ... pain in the butt... took me a long time to replace that thing which on 5s-fe is mounted literally in front.
__________________ '02 Solara SLE V6 1MZ-FE/A541E Coupe .: Denso/NGK : Akebono SP : Philips 9011 HIR (low+high) : Toshiba HIR2 9012 (fogs) : Magnefine :. @ 131k
'00 Solara SE 5S-FE/A140E Coupe .: NGK : Hawk HPS : Philips XP : RCEng : Magnefine :. @ 82k
4SALE: connectors for Camry Headlight Wiring Harness and ECU
let me tell you a story about the caddy northstar....
fwd v8 auto
seriously there so little space all the control relays are under the back seat, i mean having that far of a run of wire the thing becomes the worlds largest electrical nightmare seriously the voltage regulator is in the middle of the dash
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Signature Suspended as it is in violation of signature rules.
^ and leaving it that way!
let me tell you a story about the caddy northstar....
fwd v8 auto
seriously there so little space all the control relays are under the back seat, i mean having that far of a run of wire the thing becomes the worlds largest electrical nightmare seriously the voltage regulator is in the middle of the dash
Ever change the starter on one? It's under the intake manifold. Boo... Engine swap book time is 28 hrs. That's for in and out, shop time.
i should of changed it when it went out last year because when the plastic intake killed it self i had to do about the same thing short of removing 2 more bolts for the starter, oh and the plastic intake killing it self is very common, very common $350 part, so i learned how to weld plastic
how about half hour to change the belt because the easy way is to remove the passenger side apron and loop it from under the car
back to toyota, them back bank plugs on the mz kill me, either remove the intake or bust your knuckles
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Signature Suspended as it is in violation of signature rules.
^ and leaving it that way!
back to toyota, them back bank plugs on the mz kill me, either remove the intake or bust your knuckles
Two wobbles . . . .
From the plug, plug socket, 4" ext, wobble, 1 or 2", wobble, 6" ext. Use impact wobbles. They won't fold over to 90 deg angle.
Take the trans from a AWD subaru! An engineering nightmare! Audi, think worlds biggest POS! Nissian, Toyota, line mechanics have it better than them other smucks. I'm a Ford guy and those guys are pricks! Use a 6" bolt when a 3" would do and its threaded ALLLLLLLL the way!
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95 Cam, V6 1MZ, Auto A541E, LE >245,000 miles!
MickyB, I'm a bit late in joining this thread... but here: EGR VSV Relocation
I relocated mine to one of the studs on the firewall. The stud closer to the middle, specifically. If you do that, you'll need to make a few adjustments to the hoses, but that's not very hard. The old VSV is still in its original location. I was unable to get it removed. And I think the bolt is damaged now.
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2000 Toyota Camry LE (Japan made) i4 5S-FE 367,000+ miles.
The Following User Says Thank You to haux For This Useful Post:
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as I have bigger hands and it's a long reach to get to it. So blah blah blah, i'm ready to install the new one. Hooking up the lines wasn't to bad but to thread that bolt back in, FORGET IT!!!! 
. Well, I almost had it then the bolt dropped down. I just needed like two more inches of arm. Bolt dropped one more time but this time, I didn't know where. I spent 20 min feeling around and it's stuck in some nook somewhere. I said screw it(but the rated R version it of that line) and tucked things in a manner that I don't think it will go anywhere unbolted. I will get a new bolt from dealership and just try agin some other day. I tell you, I think going thru a root canal would have been more pleasurable than this task. Couldn't Toyota find a much better spot for this than that. What were they thinking! Help me out anyone if there was a better way.
Toyota Prius
sounds almost like my trouble with even locating the so called "Air Assist" vacuum line connecting TB and back of cylinder head (by fuel injectors) on my '00 5s-fe (california emission specs) hehe. can't even see it from any angle ...
Linear Mode
