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

Just did mine today at 40,000 miles. Took me ~1 1/2 hours and I am not mechanically inclined. The most I do is change my oil. Thanks to this write up, it made the job doable.

My driver side plugs (NGK) were gapped much worse than the passenger side plugs (Denso).
Driver's side front - 0.052
Driver's side middle - 0.053
Driver's side firewall - 0.053

Passenger side front - 0.048
Passenger side middle - 0.047
Passenger side firewall - 0.047

Here are some pics. That is not wet oil on the plugs. Should I be worried about the condition of these plugs?

 

Thanks Chris. I knew I could count on you to give me your opinion. You made this job so easy. I definitely plan on changing them every 30k from now on.

 

I just did mine for the 2nd time, this time after 40,000 miles. They looked good and the gap was only about 45 on all of them. This time it only took me about 1 hour to do the job. I learned the first time how to get those coils unplugged on the drivers side.

By the way, with a elbow torque wrench what does 15 ft lbs feel like? I get them snug by had and then just give them a little more of a turn with the wrench, lie a 1/4 to 1/2 a turn. Seemed to work fine on the first time and they came out just fine and no issues with the way it ran.

 

I'm not sure if I am right, but I did the same thing. I tightened them until they were tight, then went about a 1/4 turn past that. I did not have a torque wrench.

 

Should I expect my Tacoma to take a little time to adjust to the new plugs? Should I drive it easy at first? I have changed the plugs, but have not taken it out for a drive yet b/c I also cleaned my Borla air filter and am waiting for it to dry. It has been raining here for 3 days and is taking a while to dry.

 

Thanks Chris! Just put the air filter back in and took it for a test drive. Drives great with better throttle response. Can't wait to see how good it is after I clean the throttle body and MAF sensor.

 

Wow!! what a diffrence new plugs make. Did mine last week. GREAT how to.. followed it and had no problems. I bought my truck used and it didnt look like the plugs had ever been changed. Like everyone else( that has a V6) i had a mix of NGK and Denso. Set the new ones at .40-.41 and she idels so smooth. I use all OEM Denso.

 

Just finished changing my plugs for the first time at ~88k (I'm a bad taco dad ). The passenger side was a snap took 30 minutes tops (mostly due to sticky bolt on the intake) but damn was the drivers side a beetch. That took about 90 minutes. The truck definitely has the pep my leaden right foot remembers from when i got the truck 5 years ago. Now I'm enjoying a well earned fat tire. And my girlfriend is seriously swooning after a day of assembling a new grill, adding an auxiliary port to the truck's stereo, changing the wiper blades and now changing the plugs. So in short, thanks Chris for the writeup that made it a breeze AND getting me laid tonight!

 

Well, it is like 2320 here... Did you get laid? LOL

 

nice gonna do mine soon off of this write up

 

Couple of Spark plug questions:

1. If the spark plug still has life in it, why not just re-gap to proper gapping? I mean they have to be worn down a good bit to not make a spark, right. Is the only degradation the wear from the tips?

2. Why not use the Min of the gap tolerance? My manual says .043? I normally use the min stated in the manual for my gaps they way they can grow into it....Why are you guys using less then min in manual?

3. I have started using Dielectric grease every time I touch anything with elect contact......EVERYTHING....can't hurt only have Gain.

Also Chris4x4, on the Iridium plugs questions; Just tell them the copper ones gives 10 more real wheel horse pony's...they wills top asking then...

 

You took the time to remove the 30K plugs (according to dealer-BS) anyway. Put in the irridium 100K plugs and be done with it. Some dealers say you can't do this. Others I trust tell me I can. My truck is running like new; currently 77,000 miles. I don't see any difference in HP. I have 4 wheel drive and the truck flies for a V6. Time is money to me; don't even have to think about the plugs until I reach 172K; peace of mind. Not worth a potential problem on the road later by not simply replacing the plugs while you have them out. Yes, stock plugs look great when removed at 30-35K. Best of luck. switched over to all synthetics: front and rear axles. transfer case, oil for now on. Again peace of mind and less routine maintenance. Check walmart for best prices on synthetics. The only one they didn't carry was the limited slip for my rear diff; purchased at NAPA, was expensive. but won't be back in there for a long time. Don't forget to extend your breather valve on your rear diff. Bad design cause mud, dirt and water to get in there. Questions: write me-garys05tacoma4x4. Good luck

 

My 05 tacoma trd sport 4 wheel drive called for 75W-140. Check your owners manual and or ask your toyota dealer parts department if your veh requires limited slip. I purchased Valvoline brand at Napa. Says on gray 1 quart bottles: "SYN power FULL SYNTHETIC 75W-140 Gear Oil; "Limited slip" Outlined in red.

I think you mentioned you had a pre-runner so again check to see if there is a difference. Took just under 3 quarts for my vehicle but is like $10 less per quart at Walmart for the NON limited slip. Hope this helps. Good luck

 

Are you using antiseize or blue thead locker on the bracket bolts to the surge tank when reassemling the unit?

 

did mine today thanks for the pics in this thread..Thank chris and good luck getting better fred

 

I just did mine today - and as far as spark-plug swaps go, the Taco is gloriously easy.

However, when I got the plugs from the dealer, I asked about the NKG/Denso thing. The department manager happened to be there and he said that Toyota started doing this in the early/mid 90s as a way to be able to identify factory Spark Plugs.

So there you go...

dp

 

0100 AM, just finished mine...