3zzfe intake cam question.

[Altis9thgen]

Hi folks. I have a corolla 2003 9th gen (3zzfe engine) and about a month ago i had to replace my intake camshafts because of this problem

after we installed a new camshafts that i got from a surplus shop i noticed that they dont have the same part number but the owner insist that it came also from a 3zzfe engine.because of lack of options i still purchased the item and the car runs just fine until i noticed slight change in fuel consumption and delayed accelaration. i know for a fact that its because of the camshafts,why?because i just replaced clutch and preasure plate and yet it seems to me it lacks acceleration. my concern is not because i want to go faster but the chamge in fuel consumption.

my question are is the problem came from the camshafts itself?a case of incompatibilty?or the mechanic did not to a great job of reinstalling the cams perhaps its not on timming?

i also noticed there is engine oil coming from the tensioner.is it because of that?

and what confuses me alot is the intake cam itself because of the VVTI?they said that the VVTI is inside the intake cam?can someone please enlightned me.should i buy a new intake cam?please let me know where to start.

[hardtopte72]

Yes the VVT-i is always on the intake cam.

We do not get the 3ZZFE here but I can imagine it is identical to the 1ZZFE (1.8) and if it is the timing chain tensioner leak is common. You simply need to remove the 2 10MM nuts and replace the o-ring. Clean the area and install the tensioner back in to the engine.

As far as your intake camshaft goes without knowing the ins and outs of the 3ZZFE I would speculate you got a slightly different camshaft (possibly for a different car with a 3ZZFE engine). Fuel consumption issues can be caused by a lot of different problems. I doubt the camshaft is the only issue. If it makes you feel more comfortable you can always replace the camshaft with the correct part number.

[Altis9thgen]

Originally Posted by hardtopte72

Yes the VVT-i is always on the intake cam.

We do not get the 3ZZFE here but I can imagine it is identical to the 1ZZFE (1.8) and if it is the timing chain tensioner leak is common. You simply need to remove the 2 10MM nuts and replace the o-ring. Clean the area and install the tensioner back in to the engine.

As far as your intake camshaft goes without knowing the ins and outs of the 3ZZFE I would speculate you got a slightly different camshaft (possibly for a different car with a 3ZZFE engine). Fuel consumption issues can be caused by a lot of different problems. I doubt the camshaft is the only issue. If it makes you feel more comfortable you can always replace the camshaft with the correct part number.

im a bit confused.your saying that the intake cam the i have has no VVTI?is there any other camshafts beside 1zzfe that will fit in 3zzfe engine?

[Altis9thgen]

anymore thoughts?

[hardtopte72]

No I am saying that in your engine the VVT-I is on the intake can. As far as different cams I do not know. Just try to find the right camshaft from the dealer or a crashed corolla first.