Rear valve cover gasket replacement. Help. Update: Success

[tef]

Help. I'm in the process of replacing my rear valve cover gasket. I'm stuck. I can't get the valve cover off because the engine wiring harness is in the way. My Haynes manual says just to push the wiring harness out of the way but there are 3 connections preventing that.

1. Looking from the front of the car there is a connector on the right that I cannot get off because I can't see it. I don't know how to disconnect it.

2. In the center there is a wire that goes to the O2 sensor connector that is mounted on a stay. I'm unable to get it off the stay.

3. On the left the wire seems to lead to some sort of sensor.

Anyway, I'm stuck. Does anyone have any tips on getting the wiring harness out of the way. Thanks.

[DarkSideMoon]

What year/engine do you have?

[dorifuto.boi]

DISCONNECT ENGINE WIRE PROTECTOR FROM
REAR SIDE
Remove the 2 nuts, and disconnect the engine wire protector
from the RH cylinder head and water inlet.

DISCONNECT ENGINE WIRE AND PROTECTOR
FROM RH SIDE
Remove the 5 nuts, and disconnect the engine wire and protector
from the RH cylinder head cover.

i remember it was hard to do. just disconnect that rear wiring harness from the cover and push it away as hard as u can. then loosen the valve cover and wiggle it out. the harness isn't going to be completely out of the way but you'll have enough room to get the valve cover out

[tef]

Originally Posted by DarkSideMoon

What year/engine do you have?

It's a 99 ES300 1mz-fe. I replaced the gaskets on my 95 camry 1mz-fe. I don't remember it being this hard.

I'm thinking I need to remove the

RH ENGINE MOUNTING STAY, ENGINE
MOVING CONTROL ROD AND NO.2 RH ENGINE
MOUNTING BRACKET

Will that help by giving more slack in the wiring harness?

[tef]

Originally Posted by tef

I'm thinking I need to remove the

RH ENGINE MOUNTING STAY, ENGINE
MOVING CONTROL ROD AND NO.2 RH ENGINE
MOUNTING BRACKET

Will that help by giving more slack in the wiring harness?

Success!!! After removing the above, there was an inch or two more slack in the wiring harness so I could move it out of the way. Just barely. I did have to use my cheapo 10mm wrench to reach two of the valve cover bolts by the firewall because it was the shortest wrench I had. There is only limited room back there and there was no room for a larger tool.

Got the new gasket on and new spark plugs in place. As soon as my knock sensor gets here (RockAuto sent me the wrong part in the correct box) I'll get it installed and should be good to go.