How To: Spark Plug Change (1 GR-FE)

Yep. One of those goofy things toyota does apparently.

 

on putting back the coil pack... do I need to put a little bit of grease/lube on it so it won't stick later on? I remembered i had to do that on my wire plug on my old altima.

 

This is not regular grease or lube, it's dilectric grease. Just a little dab will do ya if you use it. Do not fill the boot, place some on the top electrode of the spark plug and it will prevent corrosion and the parts sticking together.

It's not required but if you are in really humid conditions it's not a bad idea.

-Joe

 

Chris, Thanks for writing this up. Very informative and I'm sure I"ll reference it when it's time to swap my plugs out.

 

I was just at the denso website and they recommend their spark plugs (non-iridium)to be replaced at 15,000 to 20,000km (9,320m-12,427m). The site says the spark plugs begin to gap .10 to .15 after 10,000km(6,214m). Toyota recommends we change the plugs at 30,000 miles. Hmmm...

http://www.globaldenso.com/en/products/aftermarket/plug/basic_knowledge/life/index.html

 

I seemed to miss the mm part for wear on the gaps. Thanks Chris, you're always a wealth of knowledge!

Btw, do you recommend the plugs being gapped at .040 or .043?

 

Ok just replaced my plugs this weekend with the help of this thread. Great instructions. Even an idiot like me could follow them.

The good thing was I replaced the sparkplugs the bad thing was the plugs that were in there looked brand new and were gapped correctly (right at .040 for all 6) so they didn't really need to be replaced.

Since I bought the truck used (had 36,000 miles) I was not sure if they had been changed but since they were all Denso's I assume that they got changed at the 30,000 mile mark like they were supposed to.

Oh well it was good practice and I had a good excuse to buy a new ratchet extension and spark plug socket.

 

I'm not sure why all the headache for iridium plugs when Toyota puts them stock in at least one of their engines. Toyota sets up their ECM's to accept the heat ranges and fire rates for both stock copper and iridium, according to dealership.

I went ahead and installed the OEM iridium's in my 06 tacoma, took maybe 1 hour and really basic.

I know the Toyota service department guys I talked to recommended them based on their experience for whatever that is worth.

According to Denso and NGK the iridium plugs will last longer and be more economical. I do know I've ran NGK iridiums for many years in my ATV's and nothing compares on a really cold day.

I will report back here in a few fill ups to see how my milage is going as I track it every single tank.

For the record my 06 has 60K miles, first plug change and the stock ones looked great, I had assumed my tacoma came with iridium as it stated in the owners manual, though upon closer inspection the engine type was not mine, my oversight.

The down side on iridium is they are expensive and if better fuel economy is not achieved then next change I will go back to the stock copper based.

 

thanks chris4x4 for this write up. I changed mine Friday. man a couple of those on the driver side are a pain. but with two 6 in extensions its manageable.

 

how about a 10 inch? would that work too?

 

yeah a 10 inch would work but I dont have one, I have 2 6's, so I snapped em together and wahlah

 

Thanks for the info.I just hit 30K today.Waiting for the plugs to come in.