There are just some days I wish I didn't turn wrenches

[OR VietVet]

How hard is that to change on the Leus you are working on.

Change the oil cooler lines assembly or the VVT solenoids and VVT socket assemblies?

 

[OR VietVet]

My cousin ripped me a new one because I dropped a crate engine in my 96 Silverado and kept the same radiator. At that point, I might as well of just reused the fluids lol.

I was a broke 20ish year old that spent all his money on a crate engine and nothing else.

Your cousin was correct, especially if the oil cooler was in the radiator.

 

[Tonyv__]

Your cousin was correct, especially if the oil cooler was in the radiator.

30 year old me agrees 100%. 20 year old me doesn’t want to hear it

 

[OR VietVet]

Change the oil cooler lines assembly or the VVT solenoids and VVT socket assemblies?

Does @Tahoe14 want an answer or not?

 

[Tahoe14]

Thanks, I was just curious!!!

 

[OR VietVet]

Thanks, I was just curious!!!

I did not answer because I did not know which question you were asking about. One repair is way different than the other.

 

[Tahoe14]

It was the 07 Lexus RX350 with the front of the engine slight rattle and you posted a link to of the part you thought it might be. I was wondering how hard that part would be to replace, how many parts you have to remove to get to that part. Sorry I was not specific as you work on several different cars.

 

[OR VietVet]

To get to the oil feed lines for the filters is easy on the front head and not too bad on the back head. The solenoids are about the same. but may have to remove the upper intake for filter and solenoid access at the rear head. There are two blind supporting bolts/brackets for the upper intake that can be a PITA but are doable. Gotta remove them to get the upper intake off. When I did the plugs and ignition coils on that RX350, I removed all the cowling area too for way better access. That sounds like a PITA but is actually about 1 hour for complete R&R.

To change out the VVT sprocket assemblies, with the vanes in them, that is a big job. Requires timing cover removal and on some vehicles with the same engine, may require oil pan removal too. That is a job that would tie up too much of my time and I would pass on. Without a lift, it would be very very tuff. Would almost be easier to remove the entire engine and then do the work. That would also be more than I would want to do here, without a lift.

As it turns out, the father/owner is just gonna have me sell the vehicle for him. He will fully share the VVT concern to any prospective buyer. It has quite a bit of betterment work that I did to it and is in good shape with the interior and exterior. I think tires are at about 50%. The work I did is documented earlier in this thread.

The father is at fault and accepts that, for continuing to drive when he should have shut it off. He damaged the VVT's because they are the last to get oil, at top of engine. When I did the oil filter and fresh oil, after the oil leak repair, there was no metal in the oil or filter, it is an easy sight access cartridge type filter. No discoloration either. The actual rattle noise is not that loud and does not effect the drivability and may even quiet down or go completely away but I doubt it.

If someone knows Toyota 3.5 engines and is looking for a project, this is a good mid size SUV to get.

 

[OR VietVet]

Further progress on the 2010 FJ Cruiser made today. Valve covers reassembled and resealed and install rack and pinion:

 

[OR VietVet]