How to Remove a 22RE

The 22RE engine is the fuel-injected version of the 22R engine used in pickups and Celicas. In 1985, the 22RE underwent a major change, leading to a taller block and a shorter head. While the parts are not interchangeable, the process to remove the engine is the same. You may have to remove the engine for several reasons, including changing the engine or rebuilding the engine --- or to completely detail the engine compartment if you are restoring the vehicle.

Things You'll Need

  • Set of wrenches
  • Floor jack
  • Jack stands
  • Set of sockets
  • Rust penetrant
  • 2 drain pans
  • Screwdriver
  • Tape and marker
  • Set of line wrenches
  • Pliers
  • Pipe cutter or air saw with metal blade
  • Engine hoist
  • Engine stand
  • Disconnect the negative battery cable, using the appropriate wrench. Set it aside, ensuring that it does not touch metal. Jack up the vehicle with the floor jack and support it with jack stands. Remove the engine under cover or splash shield, using the appropriate socket. Lower the vehicle off the jack stands.

  • Spray rust penetrant onto the nuts or bolts that will be removed, including the motor mount bolts and transmission-to-engine bolts. This allows the penetrant to soak in for enough time as some bolts may be tight or frozen.

  • Disconnect the windshield washer hose, using a screwdriver. Matchmark the hood bolts and hood hinges, so you know the location to line up the hood bolts when you reinstall the hood. Remove the hood bolts, using the appropriate socket, then remove the hood.

  • Jack up the vehicle again and support it on jack stands. Slide a drain pan under the oil pan. Remove the drain pan bolt, using a socket and allow the oil to drain. Slide a clean drain pan under the radiator petcock. Open the petcock and remove the radiator cap to allow the coolant to drain. Dispose of the oil and coolant in an appropriate manner.

  • Slide a drain pan under the transmission if you have an automatic transmission. Remove all the bolts in the transmission pan, except for the two near a corner. Allow the drain pan to slowly tip and the fluid to pour into the drain pan. Remove the last two bolts, then pour the rest of the fluid into the drain pan.

  • Disconnect the air cleaner hoses, using the screwdriver. Remove the air cleaner. Remove the fan coupling, using the appropriate socket, then remove the coupling and fan. Disconnect the two heater hoses at the engine, using the screwdriver.

  • Unbolt the radiator and fan shroud from the vehicle. Remove the radiator and fan shroud as an assembly. Disconnect the accelerator cable at the carburetor, using the screwdriver and appropriate socket.

  • Tag the wiring harness connectors for the vacuum switching valve wire at the evaporative emissions canister, the vacuum switching valve wire at the air conditioning compressor, the vacuum switch wire, the HAC wire, cold mixture heater wire, fuel cut solenoid wire, water temperature sender gauge wire, electronic air control valve wire (California cars only), the starter wire and oil pressure switch wire, using the tape and marker. Disconnect the wires.

  • Remove the brake booster hose, using the screwdriver. Remove the main fuel line at the fuel inlet pipe, using the appropriate line wrench. Remove the fuel return line at the fuel return pipe with the appropriate line wrench or screwdriver, depending on the type of connection. Remove the charcoal canister hose, using the screwdriver. Remove the HAC from the bracket, using the appropriate socket. On California cars, remove the electronic bleed air control valve, using the appropriate socket. Remove the vacuum switch and vacuum switching valve and its bracket with an appropriate socket.

  • Loosen the tension on the drive belt. If you have a serpentine belt, rotate the tensioner pulley toward the center of the engine, then lift the belt off the pulleys. If you have V-belts, loosen the adjusting bolts on each accessory's bracket, push the accessory toward the center of the engine to loosen tension and lift off the belts.

  • Unbolt the power steering pump from its bracket and move it to the side. Do not disconnect the hoses. Hold it in place with a piece of stiff wire. Disconnect the ground strap from the bracket, using the appropriate socket.

  • Unbolt the air compressor and move it to the side. Do not disconnect the hoses. Support the compressor with stiff wire. Disconnect the engine ground straps at the rear and right side of the engine, using the appropriate sockets.

  • Remove the shift lever from inside the truck if you have a manual transmission. If you have an automatic transmission, remove the shift lever retainer, using the appropriate socket and screwdriver.

  • Remove the rear driveshaft, using the appropriate sockets. If you have an automatic transmission, disconnect the manual shift linkage at the neutral start switch, using the screwdriver.

  • Disconnect the speedometer cable with your fingers or pliers. Do not lose the felt dust protector and the washers.

  • Disconnect the speedometer cable. Be sure not to lose the felt dust protector and washers. Remove the No. 1 frame crossmember. Disconnect the oxygen sensor wiring. Disconnect the exhaust pipe at the manifold, using the appropriate socket. Remove the clamp from the clutch housing, using the appropriate socket. Remove the exhaust pipe from the catalytic converter, using the appropriate socket. If the pipe is welded on, instead of bolted on, cut the pipe with a pipe cutter or the air saw with a metal blade.

  • If you have a manual transmission, remove the clutch release --- or slave cylinder --- and its bracket from the transmission, using the appropriate sockets. Remove the four rear engine mount bolts, using the appropriate socket. Raise the transmission slightly, using the floor jack, then remove the four support member mounting bolts.

  • Attach an engine hoist chain to the lifting brackets on the engine. Remove the engine mount nuts and bolts, using the appropriate sockets. Remove the starter, using the appropriate sockets. If you have an automatic transmission, remove the oil cooler lines, using the appropriate line wrench. Remove the two stiffener brackets and the exhaust pipe bracket from the engine. Slowly lift the engine and transmission assembly out of the vehicle.

  • Remove the transmission from the engine. Mount the engine on an engine stand or support it upright with blocks.