Most of what I see says removing the engine while the trans is still attached and both attached to the subframe is the best - dropping from below. I'd like to avoid having to mess with the AC system. Thinking I could unmount the compressor and "push it asside" while lifting the engine out and leaving the trans and subframe in place. I need to do the water pump and valve cover leak. What do you recommend?

thanks.

 

You can put the compressor aside and preserve the A/C charge that is not a problem. I can't say for sure if the engine will come out topside and how much space there is to potentially do this. My guess is there is enough room but not by much I base this on pulling the 2RG from an RX and Camry of the same era.

 

You don't need to remove the engine for the water pump. Just raise it about 3 inches - just need enough clearance to remove the water pump pulley bolts. But, do loosen the motor mount nuts from the bottom, so as not to tear the mounts apart. The valve cover gaskets can be replaced without removing the engine at all. Do you have the timing cover leak? That is a common issue with the 3.5 V6 engines. If oil is not leaking to the ground, you can live with wiping the oil off the engine block. There is no oil pressure loss on this leak. I changed to 10W/30 oil to help reduce seepage in our 07 ES and it noticeably reduced the seepage. That was at about 60K. Now, at 280K, there is hardly any seepage; I think the seepage location has plugged itself from oil hardening at the leak spot.
But, if you want to do it right, engine removal is the proper way. See video by Car Care Nut dude.

 

IMO there is no safe way to remove the engine bottom side without a lift, which of course CCN has including a full shop.

 

You can replace the WP and fix the valve cover leak without pulling the engine out.

 

..........