Q: How to remove the piston/connecting rod assemblies on 1997 through 2001 Toyota Solara and 1997 through 2001 Toyota Avalon?
A: Prior to removing the piston/connecting rod assemblies, remove the Cylinder Head(s), the oil pan, and the oil pump pick-up tube. On four-cylinder engines only, remove the engine balancer assembly if not already done. Use your fingernail to feel if a ridge has formed at the upper limit of ring travel. If carbon deposits or cylinder wear have produced ridges, they must be completely removed with a special tool. After the cylinder ridges have been removed, turn the engine upside-down so the crankshaft is facing up. Before the connecting rods are removed, check the endplay with feeler gauges. Slide them between the first connecting rod and the crankshaft throw until the play is removed. Check the connecting rods and caps for identification marks. Loosen each of the connecting rod cap nuts 1/2-turn at a time until they can be removed by hand. Remove the number one connecting rod cap and bearing insert. To protect the crankshaft journals on four-cylinder engines, slip short pieces of rubber hose over the rod bolts before removing the pistons. Push the connecting rod/piston assembly out through the top of the engine. Repeat the procedure for the remaining cylinders. After removal, reassemble the connecting rod caps and bearing inserts in their respective connecting rods and install the cap nuts finger tight. Don't separate the pistons from the connecting rods.
Q: How to deal with piston and connecting rod assemblies?
A: To detach piston and rod assemblies, eliminate cylinder ridges, and check rod endplay. You can push out the assembly for inspection. For piston ring installation, inspect ring end gaps and insert rings into the cylinder with the proper orientation. Install the oil control ring, then the number two and one rings, using a piston ring installation tool.
Q: How to install piston/connecting rod assemblies on 1997 through 2001 Toyota Solara and 1997 through 2001 Toyota Avalon?
A: Before installing piston/connecting rod assemblies, clean cylinder walls, and chamfered top edges. Remove the cap from the first rod, replace bearing inserts, and clean surfaces. Check rod bearing oil clearance by fitting upper bearing inserts in the rod and cap. Arrange piston ring gaps, lubricate pistons and rings, and use a piston ring compressor during installation. Insert the piston/rod assembly into the first cylinder bore, guiding the rod to the crankshaft journal. Measure the crushed Plastigage and compare it to specifications. If clearance is incorrect, check the bearing insert size and journal diameter.
Q: How to remove and install piston/connecting rod assemblies on 2002 through 2008 Toyota Solara and 2002 through 2006 Toyota Avalon?
A: Remove the cylinder head, upper oil pan section, and oil pan before removing the piston/connecting rod assemblies. You can check for cylinder ridges and remove them with a tool. Make sure to measure the connecting rod endplay with feeler gauges and consult a machine shop if it exceeds the limit. Mark the connecting rods and caps for the association. Remove the connecting rod cap bolts and caps, then extract the piston/connecting rod assemblies. When installing new piston rings, verify the ring end gaps and adjust them. Install new bearing inserts and lubricate the surfaces. Also, match the assemblies and ring sets to the corresponding cylinder and insert the top ring into the first cylinder. Lubricate the piston and rings with clean engine oil and use a piston ring compressor. You should verify the connecting rod bearing oil clearance using Plastigage.
Q: How to inspect piston/connecting rod assemblies?
A: Before inspection, clean the piston/connecting rod assemblies and remove the original piston rings using a piston ring installation tool. Remove carbon from the piston top with a wire brush or fine emery cloth and use a groove-cleaning tool to remove carbon deposits from the ring grooves. Clean the assemblies with solvent and dry with compressed air. If the pistons and cylinder walls are undamaged, new pistons may not be necessary, but always use new piston rings when rebuilding an engine. Inspect each piston for cracks, scoring, holes, and burned areas. Measure the piston ring groove clearance and the piston-to-bore clearance. Check the piston-to-rod clearance for wear. If pistons must be removed, have the rods checked for bend and twist. Inspect the connecting rods for damage, inspect the rod and cap bearing surfaces, and replace old bearings if necessary.