Neglected to lock down the camshafts. What now?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by thundertruck, Dec 20, 2025 at 6:25 PM.

  1. thundertruck

    thundertruck Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2018
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    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    We were doing a head gasket swap on a 2015 Prius following the steps in the video we found online. We neglected to lock down the camshafts in position before removing the cam housing. (A case of I thought you did it...) When the housing bolts were removed, the valve spring pressure caused the camshafts to turn slightly. On an engine without VVT, I would have no problem just turning them to the correct position and installing the chain. I have rebuilt countless engines in my career but never tore into one with VVT. I am hoping that one of the knowledgeable technicians on this forum can give me some guidance as to the best way to correct this error.

    I am thinking that if I put the timing chain on the sprockets with the timing marks aligned and the sprockets in the correct positions while the housing is on the bench, then locking the camshafts in place, I should be OK when it is reinstalled. But that is a theory, and I don't want to find out the hard way that it's wrong.

    If someone could lend some advice, I would appreciate it.
    Thanks in advance.
    Thundertruck