Changing Spark Plugs on 2d Generation Tocoma

[parfleet]

Has anyone out there replaced the spark plugs on the 2d generation Tocoma Pre-Runner V6 Engine yet? It appears that the passenger side, (Cylinders 1, 3, and 5) are fairly simple to get to after removing the Air Clearner Cover and Air Filter. The driver's side, however, (Cylinders 2, 4, and 6) appears to be a different situation. It appears to me that there is a support bracket of some kind that has to be unbolted either and the top or bottom and swinged to the side for access.

I know that the plugs have to be coated with an anti-seize compound and retorqued to 15 Foot Pounds. And what about the mini-coils? What is the torque spec's on them?

Any suggestions?

[tacomaman06]

Originally Posted by parfleet

Has anyone out there replaced the spark plugs on the 2d generation Tocoma Pre-Runner V6 Engine yet? It appears that the passenger side, (Cylinders 1, 3, and 5) are fairly simple to get to after removing the Air Clearner Cover and Air Filter. The driver's side, however, (Cylinders 2, 4, and 6) appears to be a different situation. It appears to me that there is a support bracket of some kind that has to be unbolted either and the top or bottom and swinged to the side for access.

I know that the plugs have to be coated with an anti-seize compound and retorqued to 15 Foot Pounds. And what about the mini-coils? What is the torque spec's on them?

Any suggestions?

havent changed mine yet, but ive looked into it for when its time. as for the coil packs, snug them down, they will be good to go! yes,you need antiseize , its a awesome idea to use it since they are aluminum heads. and yes, unbolting the bracket will make it alot easier to get to the plugs on the driver side. which plugs are you going to run??

[parfleet]

I will going with NGK all the way!

[humanoid]

Stay with NGK or Denso. Somehow, our trucks don't play well with other spark plugs like Bosch or Champion.

[flyman767]

I've always found it interesting the factory installs NGK on one side and Denso's on the other. I'm not sure if or why the Engineer's would design the engine that way. I find it hard to believe this is not done intentionally. If anyone who has changed their plugs on a Mexican built Tacoma...that would certainly answer the question if this was the intension of the Toyota Engineer's or just the way the plugs are installed at Nummi. Check out this thread...I find it interesting to see how the NGK vs Denso plugs respond to the same engine. It seems to me the NGK's run rich and the Denso's run leaner. I think when I replace mine at 30K...I may just spend the $12 on the Denso iridium's.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t194813.html

[humanoid]

There are many conspiracy theories as to why Toyota installs Densos on one side and NGK on the other, but I still have yet to see what is the definititve truth... so far it's all been idle speculation. My 1st gen Taco also came like that from the NUMMI plant so it's not just the 2nd gen Tacos that arrived from the factory like that.

flyman, unless you are boosted in some fashion getting iridium plugs would just be a waste of money IMHO, they really won't do much for your truck.

[flyman767]

Thanks for the reply...the only reason I thought about the iridium's is because I've heard what a pain they are too change. The iridium's are designed to go 100K, were the copper have to replaced every 30K.

Originally Posted by humanoid

There are many conspiracy theories as to why Toyota installs Densos on one side and NGK on the other, but I still have yet to see what is the definititve truth... so far it's all been idle speculation. My 1st gen Taco also came like that from the NUMMI plant so it's not just the 2nd gen Tacos that arrived from the factory like that.

flyman, unless you are boosted in some fashion getting iridium plugs would just be a waste of money IMHO, they really won't do much for your truck.

[flyman767]

I found this following thread today... evidently, the difference between the stock ngk's and the stock denso's could make a difference in limited performance. As I mentioned in a earlier thread...the denso's seemed to run 'hotter' leaner-more efficient than the colder 'richer' ngk's. One possible explanation may be the inherit design of the electrode itself. The electrode on the stock ngk's are somewhat smaller and more rounded off at the tip; therefore, possibly causing the fuel to ignite sooner resulting in a colder plug.

Also... as mentioned by the OP on the following thread...he states he notices a 'smoother' more 'peppier' running engine with the denso iridium?

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t200973.html

Originally Posted by humanoid

flyman, unless you are boosted in some fashion getting iridium plugs would just be a waste of money IMHO, they really won't do much for your truck.

[humanoid]

Originally Posted by flyman767

~snipped

Also... as mentioned by the OP on the following thread...he states he notices a 'smoother' more 'peppier' running engine with the denso iridium?

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t200973.html

Yeah, more 'peppier" etc. Unless he has a dyno built into his butt it's all subjective.