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How To - Change Spark Plug 1st Gen 95.5-04 2RZ-FE(2.4L)/3RZ-FE(2.7L)

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by The Parts Whore, Nov 24, 2009.

  1. Nov 24, 2009 at 2:48 PM
    #1
    The Parts Whore

    The Parts Whore [OP] Slinging parts since '03

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    Decided to do another how to write up since I started my 5 days weekend a bit early this year. I'd recommend changing out your plugs every 20k miles or 2 years (whichever comes first.) I went with the Denso instead of NGK this time. They should be $2.22 at your favorite local Toyota dealerships.

    Basic tools you'll need:

    (1) 3/8" ratchet
    (1) 3/8" 5/8 spark plug socket
    (1) 3/8" 10mm socket
    (1) 3/8" 6" extension
    (1) 3/8" 3" extension
    (1) plier
    (1) anti-seize lubricant
    (1) flat head screw driver = *optional
    (1) spark plug gapper = *not picture
    (1) 3/8" torque wrench = *not picture
    (6) beers - optional = *not picture

    IMG_4028_274cb1b50659c2200d27ca6e8dfa987aa6613edf.jpg



    (4) Denso (K16R-U11) - Toyota Part # 90919-01164

    Gap (0.040-0.041)

    Spark plugs torque 15 ft.-lbs

    IMG_3991_e7e0798732685045624c83aa22a053e43b5c1700.jpg



    Some FYI before you start: work on one cylinder at a time to avoid mixing shit up.

    IMG_3955_86e9627e1cd96eb6c7485820620ced110e2edb2d.jpg



    1. If you have the stock intake, you might have to remove the intake tube to have more room. Those that have the K&N FIPK intake, you could just loosen the 4 clamps (2 on the throttle body and 2 on the sensor adapter) no need to remove the intake tube.

    IMG_3999_743b155d6c5dd4286ce0bbf04380a98fd9a7e46d.jpg

    IMG_4000_f30a6cbde811d12100fcfc75e8d32c0357897cb9.jpg



    2. Remove the 10mm bolt for the throttle cable bracket.

    IMG_4002_1271f1b9eeebb68e11c1b0a798f9fa542accdcfb.jpg



    3. Use plier to remove the clip from the coil pack.

    IMG_4006_c50a660b2592d0ad4ffb126d370c4681b1a504c0.jpg



    4. Remove 10mm bolt holding down the coil pack.

    IMG_4007_13218ab6b3d95acc561a6fa5d9709a486d134ecc.jpg

    IMG_4011_460d5c1f4e6cb5a6fa24fbf38a666482881cdf7d.jpg



    5. Use 3/8" 5/8 spark plug socket and 6" extension to remove your old spark plug.

    IMG_4014_c3845bba56ca664a59287041bc405653cd156fc5.jpg



    Some comparison...check if your old plug is normal (dry without any oil, and not too dark.)

    Old = NGK, new = Denso.

    IMG_4026_66d13c3ec8128851abee72f6e1629aea6d7be20d.jpg



    6. The new plugs are pre-gapped (according to the parts dept person) but I check to again to be safe. They're suppose to be 0.043 max. I have them set at 0.040-0.041. Sorry, I couldn't get a clear pic.

    IMG_4030_7c9f1f309a956aff939c9c30453a935042459a14.jpg



    7. Put some anti-seize on and reinstall. Torque it to 15 ft.-lbs.

    IMG_4037_a6819f8821d06735717ab6a733a02b61462b402b.jpg



    8. Reconnect the clip to the coil pack and make sure you hear a "click" sound.

    IMG_4038_d68e1761489e30d6d334dd647c331c47d7393a05.jpg



    9. Reinstall the 10mm bolt on the coil pack.

    IMG_4007_13218ab6b3d95acc561a6fa5d9709a486d134ecc.jpg



    10. Next cylinder #3.

    Same procedures (remove clip, remove 10mm bolt, remove old plug, check the gap on the new plug, put some anti-seize, reinstall and torque to 15 ft.-lbs)

    *Note: with the K&N FIPK, they supplied an allen bolt to have it sit flush and not rub on the intake tube.

    IMG_4043_ea108041d33ee19d0f88dc171bf20285bf0b0934.jpg

    IMG_4039_f2447e12e5b4652fc12ab7c32b3eb48e0e53a19b.jpg

    IMG_4040_bde51caa105625f4e62a08857ef0355d91183003.jpg



    11. Next cylinder #2.

    Same procedures (remove clip, remove 10mm bolt, remove old plug, check the gap on the new plug, put some anti-seize, reinstall and torque to 15 ft.-lbs)

    *Note: move the intake tube out of the way to reach the #2 coil pack (this is why you need to loosen the 4 clamps on the intake tube in the beginning.)

    IMG_4044_9e509bc0829c711018c56fe669d79ea2992f85ed.jpg

    IMG_4046_b758d3608f5e8a0c79b8bd36729cd746b59bba78.jpg



    12. Last cylinder #1.

    Same procedures (remove clip, remove 10mm bolt, remove old plug, check the gap on the new plug, put some anti-seize, reinstall and torque to 15 ft.-lbs)

    IMG_4051_847468daf5f14bab6201aac25afd43b7426e7232.jpg

    IMG_4049_b9837aac50cb6982f53bb3806b94a785720ab052.jpg



    13. Recheck everything to see that they're tighten down properly and you're done. Easy 30 mins and $9 maintenance job. Happy early turkey day fellow TW enthusiasts! :bananadance:
     
  2. Dec 27, 2010 at 9:41 AM
    #2
    george3

    george3 Well-Known Member

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    Seat belt beeper, Cabelas (Weathertech) floor liner gray, Covercraft Seat Savers in Taupe, Protecta Heavy Duty Rubber Truck Bed Mat, Pop n Lock PL5200, Pace Edwards Full Metal JackRabbit, Wolverine oil pan heater, Scangauge2, afe pro dry s filter, Remote Underbody 4 Piece LED Light Kit (White) used as Bed light, DIY Washable Cabin Air Filter, PA15-TOY, 4x4 Illuminated Switch, full synthetic, Redline Tuning Hood Support, Smittybilt Nerf Steps black powder-coated
    There are no pics, only a box ad to upgrade to photobucket pro:(, also I thought 2.7 change was at 100,000 tho I wouldn't take it that long - 20,000 seems a little short.
     
  3. Sep 28, 2011 at 7:36 AM
    #3
    hector venezuela

    hector venezuela New Member

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    hello friend thanks a very good post I'm from Venezuela and here he brings that engine toyota meru really wanted to know which exact model is that K & N air intake I'd appreciate the info please!!! greetings from Venezuela
     
  4. Sep 28, 2011 at 10:55 AM
    #4
    The Parts Whore

    The Parts Whore [OP] Slinging parts since '03

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    K&N 57-9016-1
     
  5. Sep 30, 2011 at 3:24 PM
    #5
    hector venezuela

    hector venezuela New Member

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  6. Oct 10, 2011 at 6:31 AM
    #6
    Joe02TRD

    Joe02TRD Well-Known Member

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    Awesome write up! Exactly what I was looking for.
     
  7. Oct 19, 2011 at 7:37 AM
    #7
    defleppardsg

    defleppardsg Well-Known Member

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    Do you ever have to replace the coil packs? Or just the plugs every so often?
     
  8. Jan 28, 2012 at 12:58 PM
    #8
    JSFoster75

    JSFoster75 Well-Known Member

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    Too many to list.
    According to what I was told today, only replace them if your truck is misfiring, typically they either work or they don't, no in between. They are $80/each at local stores, not sure about the dealership...
     
  9. Feb 7, 2015 at 1:58 PM
    #9
    hbuscg33

    hbuscg33 Member

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  10. Nov 8, 2015 at 8:24 PM
    #10
    Ray M.

    Ray M. Member

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    This write up was most helpful. Thanks for posting it.

    On my 2002 2.7 I had to totally move the hard plastic air cleaner tube that crossed over the two middle plugs, which required removal of the two nuts under part of the assembly on the passenger side of the engine bay. Only one of those nuts now holds that unit to the mounting bracket. The other nut is rattling around on the skid plate. Sigh.
     
    Blues0010 likes this.
  11. Apr 27, 2016 at 8:17 PM
    #11
    Canadian96Taco

    Canadian96Taco The French Rocket

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    2" Lift, 31" Herc Terra Tracs on 15" Pacer rims. Bushwacker 3"flares. Roll Bar 6 100watt Landing lights. 1996 Taco for parts, old daily
    Easier then I thought. Even if this post is 5 years old I'm using the info today!
     
    LG888 likes this.
  12. Jul 14, 2017 at 6:15 AM
    #12
    adiel

    adiel Member

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    Great write up. Also dont forget to add a small dab of die-electric grease to the top of each plug before connecting it to the coil pack.
     
  13. Jan 10, 2018 at 8:23 PM
    #13
    Parker37807

    Parker37807 New Member

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    Exactly what I was looking for thanks man
     
  14. Feb 19, 2018 at 1:19 PM
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    BackwoodsGold

    BackwoodsGold New Member

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    Changed the plugs out the other day and went ahead and changed out the plug boots on the coil packs. When I pulled the old spring out to replace it, I couldn't get the new one to stay in. Is there a trick to getting the larger end of the spring to clip in? Thanks.
     
  15. Jan 13, 2019 at 10:23 PM
    #15
    zodc

    zodc Well-Known Member

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    Revive an old thread. I just changed the plugs but forgot to put Anti-Seize lube. Will it make a difference if it's been a couple days and I pull the plugs up and add the lube after the fact?

    upload_2019-1-13_22-23-54.jpg
    These are the old plugs
     
  16. Feb 13, 2019 at 9:29 AM
    #16
    Matic

    Matic The "OFG" Baby!!!

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    OME 881 coils with OME nitrochargers shocks up front. TC UCA's OME Dakars with extra leaf in the rear. Warn 8000 winch with 80ft custom braided synth line. Custom 60ft synth extension. All pro tube bumper, Hi-lift jack, Safari Snorkel, Wilco tiregate. 2019 Jeep JLUR.
    Are "Coil packs" different from the "Ignition coils".

    Looking thru the manual, it looks like the 3rzfe has (2) ignition coils with dual outputs connected to the (4) spark plug wires.

    At the end of each spark plug wire, there is a coil "pack".

    So 2 ignition coils and 4 coil packs.
    Am I reading that correctly?

    Truck a in the shop and they said they are replacing an "Ignition coil".
    But I just had all 4 coil packs changed like 3 yrs ago.
     
  17. May 14, 2019 at 1:41 PM
    #17
    pc24

    pc24 Member

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    Frame was replaced, still rust galore (not exactly modification;)
    Awesome post, mad props my dude! So with the KN intake: I like how they included the allen bolt to prevent rubbing! I'm getting ready to change out plugs; the bolts holding down the packs are showing rust. Any info out there for exact size/thread type for replacement?
     
  18. Oct 23, 2019 at 5:12 PM
    #18
    Taco302

    Taco302 Well-Known Member

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    Doing this tomorrow, plus boots, springs and seals for coil pack and PCV.
     

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