Thermostat Replacement - Toyota Camry V6 (2GR-FE)

This video will show you step-by-step how to replace a defective thermostat on Toyota's V6 2GR-FE engine. This engine is used in the Camry, Avalon, Highlander, Sienna, RAV4, Venza, Lexus ES350 and RX350. The customer had noted that his temperature gauge was showing a cooler than normal reading indicating that the thermostat was opening too much thereby not restricting coolant flow to reach optimum engine temperatures. Symptoms of a defective thermostat allowing the engine to run cool would be poor fuel economy and black smoke. The car's PCM (power train control module) will attempt to compensate by enriching the air/fuel mixture where unburned fuel will escape out the exhaust pipe as black smoke.
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[@qvb1201]

Quick and to the point. A great video. I hate the ones that feel they need to tell a story of what they were doing and where they were going when they decided to change their thermostat. No one cares if you were on a trip with your family to see your son graduate. I just want to see a thermostat being changed!!

[@hardlymovingpro]

Good points! Yes ... people don't need to know the reasons why you're repairing and what you were doing before the repair.

[@ucakpan]

Thanks. Please, for those who haven't replaced a thermostat before: always make sure the jiggle valve on the thermostat is in the 12 o' clock position.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for sharing.

[@victorcalvin1557]

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[@noeblaze2650]

@Victor Calvin instablaster ;)

[@victorcalvin1557]

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[@victorcalvin1557]

@Noe Blaze It did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thank you so much you saved my ass !

[@setoboi1652]

thank you so much for this video. This was the only video on KZbin that detailed how to do this, and thanks to you, even with every mechanic around me either being booked for weeks or charging 250 bucks, all it took was 40 bucks of tools and for the first time in my life I was able to fix my car myself

[@hardlymovingpro]

Glad it helped!

[@kovalenkoihor4325]

Have you removed the pulley as well?

[@kovalenkoihor4325]

How did you add coolant without that fancy "coolant filler"?

[@yrl507]

Thank you after watching the video I changed the thermostat by myself One like is not enough My country Saudi Arabia - Taif city

[@hardlymovingpro]

Good for you!

[@davidleon6122]

Very nice job, Showed how to do it Without a bunch of commercials or b******* period thank you

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks!

[@jaycarl1562]

You made the process go smooth, felt like I did it before. Thank you for your time to help others.

[@hardlymovingpro]

No problem ... and thanks for your post and support!

[@xiwei01]

Great video! Very clear on all the steps. Just did it this past Sunday. Worked like a charm! Thank you for sharing.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Congrats and good for you!

[@ronaldmoore5187]

Your Vedio was the best. Step by step visual and you talking about what you were doing was the best I seen!!! I believe I can do this now!!! Thank you

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for your comment and compliment! Good luck with the replacement!

[@jessef3639]

Great video! swapped out the radiator and thermostat. Saved big bucks Thanks!

[@hardlymovingpro]

Nice work and glad the video helped!

[@miriamvivo4279]

Wonder what they would charge at the dealership. Another job well done thanks. Still waiting for my subie sti at dealershop . Pcm problema po448 and 447. Pcm cost plus labor 1000 dollars at least. Just had clutch done 1880 dollars . Excedy stage one with resurfaced flywheel and main seal replacement

[@hardlymovingpro]

I'd guess the dealer would charge around $350 +. Wow for the clutch job cost! But then again, it's a STI so I guess it's a specialty clutch kit. The clutch kit for my Camry was around $120 made by Sachs.

[@georgefisher1719]

A arm & a leg for a half hour job typical Toyota...

[@muvfast]

Your videos on the maintenance of this particular engine are invaluable... Thank you!! But I must ask, why is their coolant green, I thought Toyota coolant is red, either way great video thanks.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks! Some of my customers pour in universal green coolant as a alternative to Toyota red coolant. Never had any problems with the universal.

[@stanislav9608]

Thanks for the grate tutoring video. I subscribed and will be watching your videos in the future. I am planning to replace thermostat on Lexus RX350, 2015 and it looks like in RX350 space even tighter. Looks like it is very hard to reach those 10 mm bolts, especially one that is hidden and completely sits in the blind spot. Without your video, I would never figure it out the exact location. The most difficult for me is to relieve tension on the belt and then put it back. Because of tight space the video doesn't show what exactly you were doing. What tool did you use to relieve the tensioner? Maybe I will buy special mirror to see how that serpentine belt is sitting. Could you suggest what surrounding parts could be removed to make space more accessible around the thermostat area. If you can give me any hint, I will appreciate it.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Yup that belt is on pretty tight and can be difficult to remove and install. What you can do is relieve the belt tension with either a long handle box or ratchet wrench and hold it in place with a with a bungee cord. With the tension off the top pulley in front of the thermostat housing, remove the pulley. Now reposition the wrench on the belt tensioner to get more free play to remove the belt. Reverse the process to install the belt. Do a online 2GR-FE engine serpentine belt diagram. There's plenty of photos. Good luck!

[@stanislav9608]

@@hardlymovingpro Will long braker bar serve the purpose of relieving the belt tension? Or should I buy Belt Tensioner tool with adaptors. I found this very handy instructions with illustrated picture "How to loosen Serpentine Belt tensioner". Remove passengers' tire and under-fender plastic trim. Relax the tensioner by turning the center nut counter-clockwise. Use a long, flat handled socket wrench to get leverage. Once the tensioner has been relieved, place a 5mm bi-hexagon wrench through the bottom hole to keep it from moving. Please add this instruction to your video. For first time DIY it will help a lot . cimg5.ibsrv.net/cimg/www.clublexus.com/1600x901_85/845/serpbelttensioner-rx-29845.jpg

[@hardlymovingpro]

Yes. You can attached a breaker bar on a ratchet wrench. Make sure you use a 6 point socket. A 12 point may strip the contact edges of the belt tensioner. I don't use a belt tensioner tools because: 1. They're not ratcheted 2. I broke a couple of them (couldn't hold the torque) 3. Stubby sockets, if you can find them, can be used with your ratchet wrench. 4. A ratcheted long handle box wrench let's be get into tight spaces.

[@JamesAutoDude]

Straight to the point. Love it!

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks!

[@PK-vp3db]

What size socket did you use to remove the pulley and what size socket for the belt tensioner? Thx. Nice video. How long did the job take?

[@hardlymovingpro]

14 mm. Around 1/2 hr.

[@PK-vp3db]

Thank. Great video

[@kovalenkoihor4325]

@nenobrown76tentioner has reversed thread. But I guess you already figured that out, if you needed to remove the tentioner

[@Eli_is_a_Lauver]

Question ❓ do i need to put silicone for the thermostat housing ? I have to replace for 2009 sienna and 2012 Camry SE v6 2GRF😊. THANKS AGAIN

[@hardlymovingpro]

Good idea to coat the new o ring gasket with silicone which will help seat it onto its contact surface.

[@GMZee559]

Nice work‼️

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks 💯

[@gkseoa6111]

Thanks, very good job.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Glad you liked it!

[@robertmontilla8963]

To remove the inlet Assembly the pulley must be remove, what were you doing with the tensioner? did you unscrew it, push it . Thanks for you help.

[@hardlymovingpro]

I relieve tension on the belt so I could move it away from the pulley in front of the inlet. Then the pulley can be unbolted.

[@gottfriedj1647]

You forgot to list the tool you used for the belt tensioner. How many mm ? Thanks

[@hardlymovingpro]

I use a 17 x 19 mm long handle ratcheted box wrench made by Mountain. I'll provide a link to the product in the description. The bolt is 17 mm.

[@gottfriedj1647]

Hardly Moving Productions thanks for replying, I bought a belt tensioner tool in Harbor Freight and mine was 14mm socket. It did the job beautifully

[@truthtimetv4575]

Mine was 13mm. No idea what aftermarket shit was on mine. The other pulleys were 14s as there supposed to be

[@he11z58]

What engineer did this

[@jimmykuratz-comedian]

Great video. Not looking forward to doing this on my car though. Ugh. Lol. Looks easy enough though.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks! You should have no worries. Relatively simple if you follow the video.

[@jimmykuratz-comedian]

Maaaaate!! You were right. It was easy as hell. The one nut is a pain, but other that, it was a breeze!!! Thanks heaps!

[@24inchdubz]

im so happy my camrys older v6 is on the other side that looks harder

[@hardlymovingpro]

Actually the older V6 (1MZ-FE) is easier IMHO.

[@24inchdubz]

@@hardlymovingpro thats what i meant

[@willpage79]

How long after it reach normal temp you stop or know that all the air its out the system it been almost a half hour and i still see bubbles randomly?

[@hardlymovingpro]

If there's continued bubbles coming out, you might have a blown head gasket.

[@jorgecastaneda4782]

what did you use to keep bolt on socket?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Piece of paper towel.

[@tommason4702]

What prompt you to replace the thermostat? Was that a code saying thermostat stuck open or engine overheat due to thermostat stuck closed?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Stuck open where the engine temperature would not get to normal. Most common cause of failure that I've seen.

[@tommason4702]

@@hardlymovingpro Thanks for the reply. Now I am not too worried since stuck open is not as bad as stuck closed which causes engine overheat which needs emergency service.

[@ralphcastillo9266]

You Made this look easy!! Did you use magnetic inserts in that socket for the hidden nut?

[@hardlymovingpro]

No but you can use a piece of paper towel or tissue between the socket and nut to prevent the nut from coming off.

[@ileene666]

I just got a piece of plastic from a corner store bag, and it held the bolt in snug

[@hardlymovingpro]

Good idea!

[@luiscarlospereiradossantos5659]

I have a problem with overheating in a Toyota Camyr V6, I've already checked everything, changed the engine and nothing has resolved it yet!! Give me a tip, I'm lost, I'm talking about Brazil, we almost don't have any content on this car model

[@hardlymovingpro]

Could be a clogged radiator due to internal corrosion.

[@kovalenkoihor4325]

Can I do the job if I don't have that fancy coolant filler to fill the coolant back?

[@hardlymovingpro]

You can but air pockets in the cooling system will come out with coolant. Bring the car to operating temperature with the cap on, shut the car off for cool down then add more coolant.

[@Peterbenjamin29]

Good and helpful video, but I have to mention the wrong coolant the owner was using. Also, you did not mention that it's critical to removing air pockets from the system, I know you may think its common sense but other DIY may not know.

[@hardlymovingpro]

I use to believe that there were differences in coolant. After a little research, I found there's not that much difference.

[@Peterbenjamin29]

@@hardlymovingpro Oh really! I thought current Toyotas only use HOAT coolants and not OAT? I'm interested to know your findings.

[@hardlymovingpro]

@@Peterbenjamin29 That's right. I measure the difference by means of the longevity of the cooling system components. When my customer's throw in yellow Walmart universal coolant, I haven't seen a resultant failure in hoses, water pumps and radiators as well as sludge build. The OAT (organic acid technology) coolants can mix and negate the need of traditional iron and aluminum corrosion inhibitors consisting of borates and sulfates.

[@Peterbenjamin29]

@@hardlymovingpro Great! thanks for the info.

[@hardlymovingpro]

You bet!

[@chrisfoster8749]

have you done this on the newer engine version 2GR-FKS with the integrated thermostat tube?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Not yet.

[@georgefisher1719]

Yes the Toyota Avalon has it on the other side in the middle with a lot of sensor clips to remove ,it more easy in some ways etc...

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for sharing.

[@ethanjones8093]

What year model do you have? I have an '05 Avalon Limited and it's in the same place as in the video.

[@lifejourneytv1427]

What’s the torque for thermostat housing bolt and pulley bolt?

[@hardlymovingpro]

I don't use a torque wrench on those bolts.

[@Ultraderchista]

Thank you much!

[@hardlymovingpro]

You're welcome!

[@kimberlyamerican717]

Is there any way that you could list the tools that you used like that long one

[@hardlymovingpro]

Some of the tools are listed in the description area of this video. Otherwise send me the time stamps where I was using a specific tool and I'll provide you with a link.

[@k0yw79]

thanks. i 'll try

[@hardlymovingpro]

All the best!

[@irshadyousaf2820]

Good job

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks!

[@irshadyousaf2820]

@@hardlymovingpro you well come

[@zzman5306]

NICE VIDEO

[@mrfuel1866]

Do I need to drain the radiator???

[@hardlymovingpro]

Not really. When the upper hose is disconnect, you'll have some fluid leakage that can be replenished after it's reconnected.

[@mrfuel1866]

@@hardlymovingpro ohh ok, thank you very much for replying and for your video.....im going to try to replace it myself.......thank you buddy

[@hardlymovingpro]

@mrfuel1866 You bet!

[@CrowT]

Shouldnt you drain all of the coolant first? Having all that dump all over your belt like that doesn't seem like a good thing...

[@hardlymovingpro]

The leakage is minimal.

[@jellrolly]

Car was running good but was blowing cold air it took about 30 minutes to blow warm air....so I replace thermostat let it run to normal temperature still blowing cold air took it for a drive temperature went up and overheated ...why ?...

[@hardlymovingpro]

You've got air in you cooling system. Let the car cool down and add more coolant via radiator cap port. Also check your coolant reservoir level.

[@jellrolly]

i did what you said ..car ran good ..heater was warm this morning ..got off work drove about 20 minutes started to blow cold and overheated...could i had purchased a bad thermostat ..before i replace thermostat.. heater was blowing cold air and not overheating ...????

[@hardlymovingpro]

@@jellrolly How was your coolant level in both the reservoir and radiator after the engine cooled down?

[@jellrolly]

i didnt check that part..

[@hardlymovingpro]

@@jellrolly Still think you have residual air in the cooling system.

[@ahmeddakaev6654]

👍

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks!

[@wilson4165]

Is unbelievable that to replacement a bad thermostat on a v6 camry you have to remove a pulley, That's bad engineering from Toyota.

[@hardlymovingpro]

I know. The newest version of the 2GR (2GR-FXE), I believe, addresses that.

[@BigDipper79]

You installed that wrong. The jiggle valve is supposed to be at 12

[@hardlymovingpro]

What are the repercussions?

[@BigDipper79]

It’s a vent hole and air goes to the top so not putting that at the highest point means you still have air in your system.

[@BigDipper79]

I have seen vehicles overheat because of that. Just fyi.

[@justintrowbridge4284]

This is not a 92 Camry 6-cylinder l e I have one and mine is an entirely different location

[@hardlymovingpro]

The 92 uses the 1MZ-FE engine. This video is for the 2GR-FE which came out at or about 2004.

[@dsrevo79]

So this engine went to camry, rav4, sienna and solara?? Damn

[@hardlymovingpro]

That is correct. If a car company can produce more of a common component that can be use in different chassis' and body styles, they can save a considerable amount of money in production costs. This is commonly referred to as "Economy of Scale". Lexus may advertise that their ES350 has 10 more hp than an Avalon without making any engine modifications simply by changing the air intake, camshaft timing or re-programming the PCM (Power Train Control Module). Or they can advertise better fuel economy by adding 2 more speeds to their automatic transmission. The general public thinks its a different engine and transmission but it's basically the same as their entry level sedans.

[@dsrevo79]

@@hardlymovingpro bwahaha... the only difference is ride quality and noise reduction then ;)

[@hardlymovingpro]

Not at all! In the Lexus vehicles, the quality of the paint, seat and cushion materials, panel plastics and sound deadening components are of much higher quality and held to a higher standard. In addition, there exists standard functions and features either not available or are optional in Toyota vehicles.

[@mdtrd]

@@hardlymovingpro also the cabin filters are different. Lexus has added activated charcoal in the filter. Toyota is just a regular filter. I always get the generic, charcoal ones from eBay.

[@Rey-pi4yi]

My god its so complicated, i have a 2011 Avalon now, but before i had 2007 altima, man that was so much easier to do all stff, thermostat, pump condenser compressor all that was so much easier it's a bad car better never let me stranded I hate that Cvt transmission but it was good, probably the last time I get a V6 I'll just stick with inline4

[@hardlymovingpro]

I hear ya! But for me, do the repair a couple of times and the job becomes easier and routine.

[@Rey-pi4yi]

@@hardlymovingpro yea indeed, that's good , your a pro, I'm just a regular human hahaha I'll just pay a mechanic to work on these 2grs for me, whenever something happens. Maybe I'll switch eventually, but my Avalon only has 74k miles on 2011 got it 2 weeks ago. So should last a long time. My only problem now with it is 1 headlight keeps blowing a 15amp fuse idk.

[@senpaikiim7601]

Part: $12 Labor: $800 Iykyk

[@hardlymovingpro]

For a 40 minute job???!!!

[@seekunderstanding4280]

It would be nice if you had put a list of tools needed for this process.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Sorry ... video's purpose to give you a general idea of the repair.

[@Imyodaddy]

Great video. Thanks

[@hardlymovingpro]

Glad you liked it!