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

Hey Chris4x4, I changed my plugs on my 07 TRD SPORT and the old plugs have a tinge of white on the tips? I have a K&N AIR INTAKE installed with stock exhaust and seem to get fairly good gas mileage 17/20. Is this normal wear on 33000 mile plugs?

 

Where does the anti-seize go? On the threads?

 

Ya, I thought I noticed it, just wanted to be safe. Thanks.

 

Thanks Chris another things I learn from this forum.

 

I was able to get 5 out of 6 done.
Little problem i ran into was the spark socket i got..The rubber part inside it came off when i removed it from the plug. I found this out after removing the first plug.Called a friend,he had a socket that worked.
I ran out of day light for getting the last one.

 

I got all 6 done, only had one little problem and that was that the socket came off in the hole, even had electrical tape on it. So took me a while to get it out so I duct taped it the next time. Drivers side went suprisingly fast. Thanks for the helpfull writeup

 

So after 10 tanks of gas post Iridium spark plug installation I can say
this:

Highway mpg Iridium spark plugs versus standard plugs using non ethenol gas did indeed go up but barely .05%.

Highway mpg Iridium spark plugs versus standard plugs with ethenol gas no noticable difference.

Around town Iridium mpg versus standard plugs using non-ethenol gas no noticable difference.

Around town Iridium mpg versus standard plugs using ethenol gas no noticable difference.

I do believe my truck has a little more pep to it in general with the Iridiums and noticed it the most in cruise control highway speeds through hilly terrain and with a load in the bed.

Are they worth the extra money, the ROI on highway mpg using non-ethenol gas would take likely longer than the plugs will last to accomplish any significant ROI.

I have not noticed any less mpg nevermind the gas type or driving done thus far.

Of course this is in my truck and drive environment certainly no scientific study.

 

Well I've tracked my mpg since I bought my pickup new and after about the first 12K miles or so milage leveled out and has stayed steady since.

The original plugs had right at 60K and looked to be in excellent shape.


It is interesting that non-ethenol gas on the highway does have better mpg even if only marginal and that all the other tracks about the same.

The more peppy response and more specifically in hauling some loads in hilly terrain compared to original plugs seems to be the real benefit that without any mpg loss. I have noticed since day 1 the way the truck responds, which was not bad but there is a difference that is not imaginary.

 

Yes I realize the 30K requirement, I thought I had Iridiums in mine, but upon closer inspection my bad.

Actually all my original plugs had .40 gaps or real close to it, they were/are in great shape.

 

Hi Chris,
Nice write-up with lots of great pictures. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

I'm curious about one aspect of this. Is anti-seize recommended by Toyota?

Also I would characterize what I see in the picture as a lot. Most of that - probably 99% - will be pushed out and form a ring around the base of the plug as you screw it in where it will do no good.

If anti-seize is not specified by Toyota, be aware that it will affect the results of tightening to a specified torque. Because the anti-seize acts as a lubricant, the same torque results in greater tension on the threads.

best,
hank

Edit: Interesting note - the plugs on my Taco are replaced every 30K miles while the ones in my Matrix are supposed to be good for 120K miles.

 

Just joined to Thank chris4x4 for an awesome, money saving write up. I just finished my spark plug change following your write up to the tee. Except for the first part since my 4Runner had the TRD intake so the spark plug is already exposed except for the little stuff on the driver side.

A BIG THANK YOU! And im glad i ran into this forum "Tacomaworld.com" searching how-to change my spark plug on my 4Runner 1GR-FE. In this tight economy, you'll find ways to save a buck or two. Dealership is asking $200 to change my plug, and with chris4x4 write up i only spent $32 for the plugs, anti-seize and a $10 10" 3/8" drive extension.

The old plugs had 58k miles on them and the gap were at 0.055"-0.060". I'll post pictures of the old plugs, and i confirmed that the driver side has the NGK and Denso on the passenger side. Im not a mechanic, but if you can change your engine oil, you can change your plugs.