99 prerunner - 2.7L automatic - Spark plug help!

Hello all. I want to change out my spark plugs but I dont have a torque wrench. How tight should I put the spark plugs? Im limited on funds and cant afford a torque wrench at this time. Also, does anyone know what size the spark plug is? What brand spark plug should I get? Should I go with OEM or aftermarket? How can I tell if I need to change my spark plug wires? Someone on the forums told me that my 2.7L engine does not have a cap and rotor....do I need to change the electronic part that is on the end of the spark plug wire? Thanks.

 

Well, without a torque wrench your only recourse is to use German torque. In other words, gutentight.

It's like what? 15 or 18 ft/lbs? It's not a lot, and with years of experience you can calibrate your wrist a little but with no experience, try to borrow a torque wrench. I've been doing it for decades and still prefer to use my torque wrenches.

Your owner's manual has the spark plug models in it. Use one of those. Or search on here, they are all over this site. Aftermarket is fine if you stay with the recommended brands. Change the wires while you're at it. And the part you describe is the ignition coil -- no you don't change that until it fails.

There's plenty a diy on here on how to do this. You sound a little green so read up on those so you don't make any mistakes. Some real great info with pics and such so have at it.

Good luck!

 

I used NGK BKR5EYA plug on mine. Thats what the manual calls for. Available anywhere, even the dealer probably.

Use anti-seize on the new ones, and don't over-tighten (afterall, they don't hold the engine together). I'd say no more than 1/8 of a turn with the wrench after you feel resistance.

No need to change out the coils until they fail.

If the truck runs without missing, then the plug wires are OK, but if they are original, I'd replace them anyway, just good practice. One test you could do, would be to start the truck at night, pop the hood, and with no light around, see if there are any sparks jumping from the plug wires. If you see any, then replace them for sure.

You'll need to remove the intake tube above the valve cover, to do the plugs.

 

thanks for the great responses guys. does anyone have the link to how to change the spark plugs on a 2.7L? i saw the thread before but cant find it now. is it to do just hand tight? i used to do hand-tight when i used to play with little hondas and never had issues but maybe i was just lucky. also, what size torque wrench should i get that is correct for the spark plug socket? oh yea forgot to ask what is the recomend pounds torque for a 2.7L automatic 99 prerunner. And also if the coils go bad will i be stuck on the side of the road. what are warning signs of bad coil? thanks again!

 

There's a sticky on this page tells you how to change plugs!

 

Borrow a torque wrench if you can and double check/research your torque setting. You might have gotten away with just hand snugging other plugs on your hondas and vehicles,,but eventually your auto set calibrated 5 finger wrench will overdo it a bit and you will pull/strip threads (yikes!).

A good spark plug socket that fits your plugs correctly,,it needs to have the rubber spacer down inside the socket to protect the plug insulator as you wrench it down. Without that already installed rubber spacer inside the socket,,you will/could lay the wall of the socket against the insulator when tightening and possibly crack that new white plug insulator,,causing a misfire.

These plugs have a double level crush seal washer,,commonly known as a fire ring. When you torque the plugs,,,you crush those rings together and then they crush seal to the head and spark plug at the same time. It's critical to get a proper feel for when those washers crush together and everything gets tight. I slightly pre crush those washers on a rig I have,,that way it is a easy hand install that seals up just fine.

Some folks use anti-seize on the threads, I choose not to because it can give you a false torque setting with a wrench or just using good hand judgement.

If you have a old spark plug that is really tight coming out,,and the new one is really tight going in,,STOP THERE!. Back the new one out and add a swipe of never-seize to the threads of that one. Re-install carefully. There are times that it is needed, and that would be one of those times.

If you purchase a 3/8" drive spark plug socket, then you need a 3/8" drive torque wrench. Your spark plug sizing is 5/8" I believe,,double check that. So,,, 3/8" drive spark plug socket in 5/8", if that's your choice.

A bad coil is going to give you a misfire and possibly a check engine light. You will probably know when it misfires. You shouldn't get stranded on the side of the road,,so long as you don't loose any more coils along the way.

Here is that link,,save it to favorites.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...park-plugs-wires-2-7-liter-3rz-fe-engine.html

 

It also has to be a thin walled socket. I have a few that won't fit into the tunnel because of the thick socket walls!

 

+1.

Autolite Professional packages a double socket set that works well. Both 5/8" and 13/16" spark plug sockets. Part# ADS002 or ADS003 which gives you a 3/4" socket as well. Both sets 1/2" drive.

 

Thanks for the reply. I plan on doing my spark plugs over the weekend I'll let you guys know how it goes. I was looking at torque wrenches today and they come in 2 sizes. What size do I need so that it will fit my socket? thanks.