30K Service - Spark Plugs?

My 09 is coming up on the 30K mile service and noticed the service manual suggested spark plug change??

My question is simple, who has done this and was it worth the extra$$

 

i had it done at the dealer :-x

 

Did my own 30k service and did not change the spark plugs. Seemed like a waste of money to me.

 

Got 34k on mine and haven't yet. Guess I oughta pull 'em and take a look.

 

Thanks for the quick replies.. Sounds like it would be a good idea t change them myself. I think the dealership quoted something like $225 to change them which is freakin crazy..

 

oh and throw a bit of anti-seize on there. You won't be sorry- that stuff works!


Azbackcountry

 

This.



Definitely do it. Use the recommended plugs (they're cheap) and save $200 over the abso-stupid dealer quote.

I did mine at 28k using Chris4x4's write up linked above... took a little over an hour. A couple of things I learned while doing it:


- I used a 15" extension for most of the work (just gave a better reach) with a 3" and 6" in tighter spaces...
- Tape your plug socket to the end of the extension... sucks to pull the wrench back and have it not come with you

 

I always say that someone put it in the book to do for a reason so do it. I did mine at 37K miles and it took 1 hour and was not hard. Plugs costs less than Chinese takeout. Its a no brainer to me. I didnt notice any difference in my truck to be honest.

 

Just changed the plugs in my '05 4Runner today. (same 1GR-FE V6 engine)
It had the factory plugs and 67500 miles. I saw something about 30K service (DOH!) on here and went to change them ASAP.

When I pulled them out, they all looked well used and the gap was about .060" (.041" new), but nothing I would normally be overly concerned about. Advance Auto didn't have the OEM copper plugs so I just got the cheapest Denso's they had and they were $2.99 each (platinums I think).

I don't notice any difference in how it runs, nor do I think it is critical to replace them like clockwork every 30K like an oil change. However it is cheap and easy to do so why the hell not? Good excuse to clean up the engine and inspect for other issues. Toyota is making $$$ on this deal and insuring they don't have to replace any emissions components under warranty.

 

Do any of you guys do the top engine service or Induction service before replacing the plugs? If you dont it is well worth the cost of the kit from Toyota to perform it. Runs smoother, starts right up. Need to do it before replacing plugs.

 

Yeah the dealer was asking for like $150 to change mine out!! I was like screw that!! I still need to swap out my plugs cause I am going on 39K.

 

Haven't heard of that kit before... got any part numbers or links to it?

 

I just want to make sure that this part number is the correct plug to use for my 09 trd off road. Owners manual says: K20HR-U11

Thanks

 

I assume you have the V6...

It's an easy DIY...really easy. And cheap: you can get plugs for under $2 each.

The V6 has copper plugs that wear fast but as others have noted you don't have to change them. Some people have gone up to 50k on them, but you can be sure they aren't firing as hot or efficiently as new..

I pulled mine and re-gapped them at about 25K. They'll go to 50K I'm pretty sure but at least they'll work better for me.

 

Honestly, they're cheap, it only takes about 1.5 - 2 hours to do it yourself, and it's what the manual suggests, so why not do it?

I just changed mine, and my gap was out to .055 from the suggested .041

 

If you're going to go through the effort to pull them, why not put in new ones? They're cheap, even if you are set on OEM and have to pick them up or ship via e-Bay.

 

I've had no luck finding a place that carries the Denso plugs. We have Autozone, CarQuest, NAPA, Wal-Mart and O'Reilly. None of them carry regular Denso plugs. Looks like I'm going to go with the NGKs instead.

 

I was just thinking the same thing myself.

 

i have 68,000 miles on my truck and i still havent changed my plugs. no probs yet, but i am planning on changing them soon. anybody have experience with iridium spark plugs? are they any better?

 

75k on the original plugs, probably should replace them soon.