Under Valve Cover pics 2006 Camry (3MZ)

[michaelluscher]

I finally was able to squeeze in the front VCG on the Camry today, I was pleasantly surprised at what I found underneath

My daily for the past 8 years, 2006 Camry SE V6, 201k at this time
First time it's getting opened up for anything

I think that's pretty darn clean for the mileage, considering the MZ V6s didn't have the best reputation for sludge and varnish
As was expected, the tube seals were rock hard, and the VCG weeping
I put the tube seals in the freezer last night, they were manageable to push home by hand with a little lube

I used all OE Toyota parts, new tube seals, VCG, FIPG 103, new bolts with Blue thread locker gel torqued to 76 in.lb

I've worked this engine hard for the past 8 years, but it always got insert synthetic here and a quality filter changed at 5-8k intervals
I did two or three UOAs, they always came back nice
I did one or two idle flushes in its life, just out of boredom
The fresh oil that went in, looked about the same coming out
No oil consumption, but some oil leaks mean I lose ~1/2 a quart every 5k miles
Once I do the rear bank, and the cam/crank seals, that should diminish

I'm gonna miss this car, I'm throwing all the maintenance parts I have around for it
I hope it's next owner appreciates all the effort and money I spent

 

[clinebarger]

Toyota MZ's are one of the quietest engines in my opinion.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Nuthin' like good basic maintenance.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Looks good

 

[cos]

NIce!

 

[demarpaint]

There's nothing to complain about there, nice!

 

[joekingcorvette]

Looking good and clean. Ya got time to lean ya got time to clean. Hard to beat good maintenance.

 

[Kira]

1) What does freezing the tube seals do for you? Wouldn't that make them smaller and less flexible?

2) "Ya got time to lean ya got time to clean", sounds like an age-old expression.

 

[doublebase]

Nice work! I’d keep that thing going for another 200,000 miles and see how how far it could go even after that.

I have the V6 Toyota 2GRFE, it’s strange for me to see this style V6. I see some similarities, but also some big differences.

— There’s oil spray tubes under the valve covers in the 2GRFE. Right where your PCV baffle system is, the 2GRFE has something like it, but with the added spray nozzles/tubes.

— The MZ has the cam phasers on the opposite ends of the camshafts, with a timing belt on the front. The 2GRFE has the phasers up front with a timing chain - and the cams are connected by another individual chain, not gears (on both heads).

— The intake looks like a similar configuration.

Cool to see the progression Toyota used throughout the years. Both excellent engines.

 

[incognito_2u]

When opened up, all three of my Toyotas had that same look. Your description of your maintenance schedule fits mine to a “T”. Looks like she served you well.
Side note, are you getting rid of that vehicle?
And if so, why……

 

[Tundragod]

For a moment I thought it was a 3 cylinder engine.

 

[wag123]

insert synthetic here???

 

[wemay]

Looking

 

[michaelluscher]

insert synthetic here???

I've used many
Platinum, Ultra, Mobil 1, EP, EP HM, Edge w/Ti
Currently there's some generic oil in there with 1qt of HPL EC, gonna give it a few more miles, then one last chance before I probably sell it

 

[michaelluscher]

1) What does freezing the tube seals do for you? Wouldn't that make them smaller and less flexible?

I'm not sure, but freezing and a dab of silicone paste let me install them by hand without a seal driver or tools

I saw other people pressing and hammering

 

[The Critic]

How many coil connectors did you break?

Did you reseal the half moons?

 

[michaelluscher]

How many coil connectors did you break?

I replaced them in 2019 when I did coils/plugs

Did you reseal the half moons?

They didn't seem to be leaking, I don't have a vice grip slide hammer, and I forgot

I just finished degreasing, I'll warm it up and recheck a little later today

 

[The Critic]

They didn't seem to be leaking, I don't have a vice grip slide hammer, and I forgot

They came out using slip-joint pliers....the factory RTV is usually very deteriorated by now.

 

[michaelluscher]

They came out using slip-joint pliers....the factory RTV is usually very deteriorated by now.

I'll keep an eye on the front one

I'll plan on resealing the rear bank when I pull the intake
That I wouldn't want to do twice
The front you can have apart in minutes

 

[SatinSilver]

Any pictures of the exterior? Those are pretty cool, an 06 V6 SE.