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

Never had a problem with lugs. Keeps them from rusting here in the salt belt. I do retorque with no issues. I usually only apply once and done. Can still see it on the lugs when I do the wheels so never reapply.. Hasn't failed me once in the 10+years I've done it on various cars. My 1st taco tho.

It was about 30k ago when I did the plugs. I had no problem breaking them loose, but they came out hard all of the way until the last thread. It wasn't a matter of over torque.

Maybe just a matter of using too much? Think I'll install new without using the seize. I'm going to assume there's still some on the threads.

 

And I thought I was the only one that used anti-seize on lugs. Ive been applying it on my Tacomas over 15 years now without any problems.

Of course use it sparingly and always torque and then re-torque lugs after 10 miles.



-RJM

 

I've changed spark plugs on a multitude of vehicles over the last 30+ years and I have never used anti-sieze and have never had an issue removing plugs. That's just my experience, others may vary!

 

The main reason for the recommendation to not use anti seize is that no two individuals will use it in the same manner. If the manufacturers could be assured that no idiots would over-torque, or slather on too much, they would provide a torque value for use with ant-seize.

 

Did mine today for the second time...hour and 30...

I did NOT disconnect the battery.....assumed it was a safety thing so you don't ground something with your watch etc. Didn't disconnect it last time and these plugs had 65K miles on them and were at about .048" so not bad.

Can anyone enlighten me how changing the spark plugs has anything to do with resetting the ECU?

Thanks!

TC

 

I just replaced by plugs on my 2009 Toyota Tacoma trd sport with 103,000. Had a feeling they had never been done and I was right. Denso's in passenger side and NGK's in the driver side. Replace them with the original copper OEM k20HR-U11. much better throttle response and I'm sure it'll get better gas mileage.

 

Here we go again. For someone to notice "much better throttle response", he's not going to get a measurable improvement in gas mileage!

 

Plugs done for first time, running better...nuff said..

 

And I used anti-cease..giddy giddy

 

Me too....the horror...

 

Just picked up plugs from the toyota stealership near me and plan to follow this guide soon. Very helpful and detailed pictures are nice to have. They were actually the best price in the area. The one time the stealership didn't actually steal.
Interestingly enough, when i picked them up the parts guy tells me these plugs are 15,000 mile plugs. He's either seriously trying to sell more plugs, toyota changed the interval, or their system is wrong. i'm guessing the last one of this list.
Anyways...wanted to say thanks for the write up from someone learning how to not pay the dealership to do this stuff.

 

He probably meant 15k per side. Do both sides, and you're good for 30k.

 

Another big thanks to my hero, Chris4x4, for such a useful thread. At 34,000 miles on my 2014 Tacoma, it was time to do this and it went without a hitch — thanks to this thread. Honestly there was one hitch. The clip on the end of my vent hose fell off and on top of my skid plate.

 

I went to the local county fair tonight and saw a third gen. That V6 also looks pretty easy to do the plugs in.

 

I'm sorry you had to see that.

 

Changed mine yesterday. 95K on the clock and had no idea if previous owner ever took care of this item. Changing plugs is a fairly basic and straight forward process, but the OP did a good write up for those who may be a little less confident in their abilities. As far as access, I only removed top cover and pushed air cleaner cover to the side. No problems getting to everything and I have big hands. As expected, original plugs, NGK on left and Denso on right with an average gap of .065. Replaced with Denso Iridium gapped at .041. I always use anti seize with plugs. You’ve got fine threads, high heat, and dissimilar metals. Cheap insurance against the potential of needing a heli coil installed.

 

I plan on doing mine this week unfortunately I have no idea if they have ever been done I have over 230,000 miles on this used truck. Been noticing a few hiccups once in a while while it’s idling. Would a guy be OK with putting NGK’s on both sides

 

I don’t know what justification Toyota uses with the different parts, but there should be no reason to believe NGK’s in all holes would be a problem.