justYnG

can i just remove the intake manifold from the mid section in order to remove the valve covers?

ldervish

Mine too. I think there's a lot more that should come out to make the job easier. I found a couple youtube vids (one was on spark plug replacement) that outlined it and I plan to follow those.

ldervish

This is from the 2005 IS300 service manual. Not exactly the same order as in the vids, and he didn't drain the coolant either (Step 2 below). But, pick your poison. Between the two methods we should be able to figure it out.

1. REMOVE ENGINE COVER
Remove the 4 nuts and engine cover.

2. DRAIN ENGINE COOLANT

3. REMOVE INTAKE AIR RESONATOR

4. REMOVE THROTTLE BODY AND INTAKE AIR CONNECTOR
ASSEMBLY
(a) Disconnect the accelerator cable from the throttle body.
(b) Disconnect the engine wire clamp from the clamp bracket
of the throttle body.
(c) Disconnect the engine wire from the clamp on the throttle
body bracket.
(d) Disconnect the accelerator pedal position sensor connector.
(e) Disconnect the throttle control motor connector.
(f) Disconnect the throttle position sensor connector.
(g) Disconnect the air assist hose from the intake air connector.
(h) Disconnect the PCV hose from the intake air connector.
(i) Disconnect the VSV connector for EVAP.
(j) Disconnect the EVAP hose (from charcoal canister) from
the VSV for EVAP.
(k) Disconnect the vacuum hose (from No. 2 vacuum pipe)
from the No. 1 vacuum pipe.
(l) Remove the 2 nuts holding the throttle body bracket to the
cylinder head.
(m) Remove the 4 bolts and 2 nuts holding the intake air connector
to the air intake chamber.
(n) Disconnect the vacuum hose (from actuator for ACIS)
from the No. 1 vacuum pipe.
(o) Disconnect the 2 water bypass hoses from the throttle
body, and remove the throttle body together with the intake
air connector and gasket.

5. REMOVE NO. 3 TIMING BELT COVER
Using a 5 mm hexagon wrench, remove the 4 bolts, oil filler cap,
timing belt cover and gasket.

6. REMOVE IGNITION COILS AND HIGH- TENSION
CORD SET ASSEMBLY (See page IG-7 )

7. REMOVE SPARK PLUGS

8. DISCONNECT ENGINE WIRE FROM CYLINDER HEAD (valve covers)
COVERS

9. REMOVE CYLINDER HEAD COVERS (See page
EM-34 )

justYnG

can you link the video

DriftIS

Take off the Y pipe and throttle body and you can access everything