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

Changed my plugs on my 2005 Toy 4Runner in 1 hour with the assistance of your post. Thanks so much!!! Great pics and step by step instructions.

 

nice right up!! i changed my plugs today and they were all gapped from 55 to 60

 

I just changed my spark plugs this weekend (all NGK iridium gapped to .40). Everything went smooth but now I have a severe jumping/skipping during accelarition... Any suggestions??

I went back through them again and re-checked everything and couldn't find anything wrong... maybe torqued down too much? Surely I couldn't have messed up the coil pack or wires as it was too easy to remove and re-attach.

 

This could be the issue. It seems some people have had issues when they dont use the stock Nickle/Copper plugs.

 

Thanks, I've thought of that too... I mean it's pretty bad skipping when accelerating. I might have to just try regular plugs.

 

I've read instructions twice now. I think its pretty staightforward. But once I get to that front drivers side plug I will be wishing I had little hands. Oh well, as soon as I get plugs im goin for it. thanks

 

My 05 tacoma 4 x 4 runs beautiful with irridium plugs. Put your old plugs back in 1st and see if there is a change. Maybe something happened during the process of switching them. I'm sure gapping and torquing properly is important as well. Good luck.

 

Thanks... I did change them yesterday with OEM plugs from Toyota and the skipping is gone. Nothing changed except the plugs, not even my process so maybe my truck is just that picky. No worries tho it's not doing it anymore and thats good enough for me.

 

Great write up man! Had it done in under an hour!

 

You were spot on with you step by step help with changing my spark plugs on my 2007 Taco. Took my less time then I thought it would, I was done in just over an hour. Keep up the good work and thanks again.

 

I just bought an 05 with about 80K on the clock and did a plug change last weekend. I was shocked to find the original plugs were never changed. NGK's on the left, Denso's on the right. Two were REALLY hard to remove, I was really concerned about pulling out the threads so I soaked them in Kroil overnight. But all is well now. One of the plugs had a .065 gap I'm guessing that most folks think that 100k mile plugs are installed in these trucks from the factory but it could just be plain laziness.

 

what's Kroil? how do you soak it when the plugs are in the block??

 

Wondering if this is why my mileage is suffering. I am changing the plugs this weekend, and some other maintenence.

 

Chris,

I see this write-up is 2+ years old, but it's simply the best and thats why you see 28 pages and counting of replies. Great job! Please let us know if you have other posts for other DIY procedures - youre our guy with the attention to detail, pics and true step-by-step for those of us attempting somethig for the first time. For that, I thank you on behalf of all of us saving money and getting some self satisfaction from working on our trucks.

A couple of minor tips:
Lowes sells extension wobble bars that lock the socket to the extension bar. There is a little button on the end and that acts just like a normal socket wrench to lock the socket on. Yes, they cost a couple bucks more, but no need for the electrical tape; unless you want e belt & suspenders approach.

Also, for the driver's side plug farthest from the firewall, I was able to grab the socket and remove it from the coil by removing the brake booster vacuum line. So you still need the needle nose pliers, but to squeeze the brake booster line and remove just the end attaching in your way and move it to the right.

Lastly, I had a small 3.5" flashlight which I set on it's side facing that one hard to reach plug so I could see what the heck I was doing.

Take of leave these additional comments. Again, you have done all the heavy lifting and I can't thank you enough for the post!

 

you can spray that into the hole??? I would've thought it can cause a problem in the engine. How about PB blaster? can i spray that too? I change my plugs back in 30k, and I spread a good amount of anti seizing compound in it, I think I'm good, what do you guys think

 

you're not sure if you want to do it???? holy cow!

 

any problem with your truck after you spray this kroil? did you let it evaprate before you put back the plug?

 

Kroil is a better form of PB Blaster. It won't evaporate and there is no issue to reinstall the plug. Not sure why this is even an issue. If there was a concern once the plug is broke loose blow out the hole with compressed air and remove and replace the spark plug.