This post is just meant to give a tip for anyone looking to replace their intake camshafts. The OP is the top comment on the following youtube video:
I recently swapped out the intake camshaft on both sides of the engine. The VVL engines require a different camshaft holding kit than the VVT engines. The kits you see on amazon are all for the VVT engine (pre-2016). There is only one kit I've found for the VVL engine, made by CTA tools, and priced at ~$250.
The tip in the youtube video states that you can leave the camshaft holding tool between the camshafts and remove the cam phasers from the camshaft without having to slacken/hold the timing chain/tensioners. Not wanting to spend $250, I figured I would give it a try and it worked. I bought a kit for the VVT engine and was able to do exactly as stated. The tool that goes between the camshaft teeth did need slightly modified in that I had to shave some of the casing off.
The way it works is that you remove the bolt for the camshaft you are fully removing and only loosen the other bolt. You loosen it enough to slide the phasers forward until the fully unbolted phaser clears the camshaft. Below are pictures of the modifed holding tool and what it looked like once the camshaft was removed. Obligatory do this at your own risk, I'm not responsible for anything that happens if you do.
I recently swapped out the intake camshaft on both sides of the engine. The VVL engines require a different camshaft holding kit than the VVT engines. The kits you see on amazon are all for the VVT engine (pre-2016). There is only one kit I've found for the VVL engine, made by CTA tools, and priced at ~$250.
The tip in the youtube video states that you can leave the camshaft holding tool between the camshafts and remove the cam phasers from the camshaft without having to slacken/hold the timing chain/tensioners. Not wanting to spend $250, I figured I would give it a try and it worked. I bought a kit for the VVT engine and was able to do exactly as stated. The tool that goes between the camshaft teeth did need slightly modified in that I had to shave some of the casing off.
The way it works is that you remove the bolt for the camshaft you are fully removing and only loosen the other bolt. You loosen it enough to slide the phasers forward until the fully unbolted phaser clears the camshaft. Below are pictures of the modifed holding tool and what it looked like once the camshaft was removed. Obligatory do this at your own risk, I'm not responsible for anything that happens if you do.