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

This way works too. vv

 

replaced the spark plugs today 39,965Miles. replaced with stock Denso from the stealership. took almost 2 hours(novice mechanic here haha). took my time doing each plug. only problem I ran into was when the 6" extension would come off of the socket, even though I used the tape on socket method. but all it took was just wiggling and the same time pulling just slightly. wanna thanks chris4x4 for the easy and awesome step by step write up.

here's the plugs. top is driver side and bottom is passenger side. weird because I have Denso on the passenger side. I thought I would find NGK's like so many others.

 

If you used an actual spark plug socket, its to skinny to get stuck in the valve cover, it also has a rubber insert that hugs the plug. After I installed plug #5 my extension pulled out of the socket and for a minutes I tried to get the socket out, then I realized all I had to do was reinsert the extension into the socket and screw the plug back out and start again with some fresh tape.

 

I just did mine this weekend at 35k. The plugs looked good and I replaced them with OEM Densos. From factory I had the typical 3 denso, 3 ngk.
I did have one brain fart though. When I did the drivers side I removed the little breather hose per the instructions, but forgot to hook back up after I was done I fired up the truck and it was running like crap. First I thought I had a bad plug or maybe forgot to hook one back up. Then when double checking I found that I had missed the hose. Hooked it back up and all is well now
Probably took about two hours from start to finish. Thanks chris for the great write up. Saved me some $

 

Replaced my plugs on Friday evening. Followed the instructions and it was pretty easy. I first bought Denso Iridium plugs but returned and just got standard OEM Denso from dealership for $3.85 a piece. My truck has 50k miles and doing this myself saved me about $250.

 

Yes it is, well with a ratchet, carefully.

 

^^^ decided to go the safe route and just buy an adapter, 1/2" female and 3/8" male. worked pretty well and torqued all spark plugs to spec

 

Thanks for the great write-up Chris. Changed mine out today at 32k miles. Same story as most folks on here, Denso on one side and NGK on the other. The Denso's weren't too far out of gap, .044-.045 at the most. The NGK's however ran between .047 and .050. Bought new one's at the stealership, surprisingly, they were all between .040 and .041, so I didn't have to adjust any of the gaps. Overall, it only took about 90 mins start to finish.

 

I would be willing to bet those are not the original plugs. Not sure if you have owned you truck since new, but with them all being the same and the gap i see in the picture, i really dont think they are original. Those look like they barely have 10K miles on them. Did you have the dealer do a 30K service by chance? If so, maybe they include this in their service. I have yet to find original plugs that match on any of our 4.0 engines, whether taco, fj, 4runner, or tundra.

 

Yep. I just put a wrap or two around the joint and stretch it tight. I also use electrical tape to hold the plug to the socket; I didn't have the little rubber plug that goes inside and an official 'PLUG' socket. I just tear off a strip about 3 inches long, tape it lengthwise to the side of a deepwell socket and fold half INSIDE the socket. Do this in three or four places and your plug will sit nice and snug in the socket. Works great. Nice wrote up, brother Chris.

 

Be careful using electrical tape if you are doing this while the engine is still warm. It could melt.

 

While this may be possible with cheap electrical tape, I only use Scotch3M 33+ tape, it will work at temps up to 220 degrees F (105 C).

 

Ah, nice.

 

I have a 2010 Tacoma Double Cab with less than 15,000 miles on it. On recent scheduling of the oil change at dealer, the service writer said I also needed to change plugs since it is right at 36 months since I took delivery of vehicle new.

Is this really necessary since I have not hit 30,000 miles? Opinions appreciated?

Thanks!

 

Thanks, Chris for the response. Obviously, I agree. The service writer implied that the emissions warranty could possibly be voided under certain conditions because of 3 year reference in service book.