INCORRECT TORQUE PUBLISHED FOR TIGHTENING HEAD / VALVE COVER IN 5S-FE 4 CYLINDER IN 4TH GENERATION CAMRY
The Toyota 1997 and 1999 FSMs and some Hayne's/Chilton's manuals have an incorrect torque specification for the tube nuts that attach the head cover on a 5S-FE engine. The above manuals instruct to tighten the four tube nuts to 33 ft-lbs.
This is incorrect and an excessive torque which will likely cause the head cover to crack.
See the following discussion:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=360295
The correct torque for the head cover tube nuts is 17 ft-lbs, and should be accomplished gradually in increments (5, then 10, then 17 ft-lb, from the inside two out, is adequate - use an in-lb torque wrench at 60, then 120, then 204 in-lbs). The 17 ft-lb torque value is published in both the 1994 and 1996 Camry, and the 1990 Celica FSMs for the 5S-FE 4 cylinder.
A mechanic at my local Toyota dealer confirmed that the correct torque for all 5S-FE engine tube nuts is 17 ft-lbs.