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Changing Spark Plugs Easy and Worth it?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by freebird4446, Mar 20, 2019.

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  1. Mar 21, 2019 at 9:26 AM
    #21
    2ski4life7

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    2ski4life7 Well-Known Member

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    OP,

    I bet the ‘calibration’ was to make sure the gap on the spark plugs are specced correctly. This is the only thing I can think about a ‘calibration’.

    Sometimes new spark plugs for a vehicle aren’t gapped the right spec so you would have to adjust them with a tool.

    You may need to purchase the correct tools to do this task but it is a lot cheaper and one of the easier task to do than to have a mechanic do.
     
    2ski4life7, Mar 21, 2019
    #21
  2. Mar 21, 2019 at 9:37 AM
    #22
    OneWheelPeel

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    OneWheelPeel Well-Known Member

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    Buy new wires as well
     
    OneWheelPeel, Mar 21, 2019
    #22
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  3. Mar 21, 2019 at 9:40 AM
    #23
    Chris(NJ)

    #23
    Chris(NJ) Well-Known Member

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    I changed my plugs at 100k and to be honest...didn't really notice a difference at all. Just peace of mind that they're not frozen in there was good enough, I guess.
     
    Chris(NJ), Mar 21, 2019
    #23
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  4. Mar 21, 2019 at 9:40 AM
    #24
    jbrandt

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    jbrandt Made you look

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    That smells more like a scam though. I've NEVER heard of anything even close to a "calibration". You set the gap which takes 2 seconds. The tool costs like $2 and there is a stack of them by every cash register of every auto parts store.

    "spark plug calibration" is like "blinker fluid"

    (pic from google)
    [​IMG]
     
    jbrandt, Mar 21, 2019
    #24
  5. Mar 21, 2019 at 9:50 AM
    #25
    Gen1FTMFW

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    Gen1FTMFW Well-Known Member

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    As has been said, use the OEM dual ground electrode plugs. There is a notice on the timing cover...

    20190321_094932.jpg
    Screenshot_20190321-094655_Gallery.jpg
     
    Gen1FTMFW, Mar 21, 2019
    #25
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  6. Mar 21, 2019 at 9:54 AM
    #26
    01GreenTacoma

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    01GreenTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Stay away from iridium. Get the plain jane factory plugs.
     
    01GreenTacoma, Mar 21, 2019
    #26
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  7. Mar 21, 2019 at 9:56 AM
    #27
    RysiuM

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    RysiuM Well-Known Member

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    which can't be gapped with that "by cash register" tool

    [​IMG]
     
    RysiuM, Mar 21, 2019
    #27
  8. Mar 21, 2019 at 10:19 AM
    #28
    Gen1FTMFW

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    Gen1FTMFW Well-Known Member

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    Correct. Have to use other methods.
     
    Gen1FTMFW, Mar 21, 2019
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  9. Mar 21, 2019 at 11:05 AM
    #29
    ThunderOne

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    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    need to use this kind for dual electrode plugs:
    [​IMG]
     
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    ThunderOne, Mar 21, 2019
    #29
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  10. Mar 21, 2019 at 11:08 AM
    #30
    jbrandt

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    jbrandt, Mar 21, 2019
    #30
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  11. Mar 21, 2019 at 11:23 AM
    #31
    2ski4life7

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    2ski4life7 Well-Known Member

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    Oh I definitely agree I was just trying to figure out the use of ‘calibration’. Of course it’s like a scam, that’s why I do most all maintenance.
     
    2ski4life7, Mar 21, 2019
    #31
    jbrandt[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Mar 21, 2019 at 11:25 AM
    #32
    RysiuM

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    RysiuM Well-Known Member

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    The other stupid thing they do is "top off all fluids". My response was: "only fuel". :D
     
    RysiuM, Mar 21, 2019
    #32
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  13. Mar 21, 2019 at 1:26 PM
    #33
    Blue92

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    Blue92 Well-Known Member

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    If your factory plugs made it to 200k there is no need for iridium. Toyota gave these trucks a dual electrode copper plug for a reason, best to stick with those.
     
    Blue92, Mar 21, 2019
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  14. Mar 21, 2019 at 2:55 PM
    #34
    onakat

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    Last edited: Mar 21, 2019
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    onakat, Mar 21, 2019
    #34
  15. Mar 21, 2019 at 4:05 PM
    #35
    Ridgerunner

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    Ridgerunner Well-Known Member

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    +1 on the throttle body. I had mine cleaned at the dealer during my 150,000 mile service and that particular cleaning sure made a huge difference.
     
    Ridgerunner, Mar 21, 2019
    #35
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  16. Mar 21, 2019 at 5:05 PM
    #36
    zach141b

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    zach141b Well-Known Member

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    Hey OP, the third sticky at the top of the 1st Gen main start page is a V6 spark plugs replacement how-to.

    Also, "+1" on replacing the wires if they're the originals.
     
    zach141b, Mar 21, 2019
    #36
  17. Apr 3, 2019 at 7:55 PM
    #37
    freebird4446

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    freebird4446 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Talked to my friend who had the shop that told him he needed things calibrated when he got new plugs. He has a 200 Tundra.

    He doesn't know cars well but they the calibration they told him about was (according to him) something to do with resetting the computer so that the spark plugs and ignition coils fired in the right sequence or with the right timing. Sounds like something that's solved by disconnecting the battery to me but I'm only know cars a little bit better then him and not sure how different a Tundra is. I think it cost him $80 for 1 plug/ignition coil to be changed out. Seems like BS to me but would appreciate someone else's opinion.
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2019
    freebird4446, Apr 3, 2019
    #37
  18. Apr 3, 2019 at 11:13 PM
    #38
    Bend_corners

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    Bend_corners Well-Known Member

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    Yeah just disconnect the battery when you do them.
     
    Bend_corners, Apr 3, 2019
    #38
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  19. Apr 4, 2019 at 6:14 AM
    #39
    jammer

    #39
    jammer 2003 Toyota PreRunner 3.4L

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    Damn that engine bay is CLEAN!! I thought I was the only one who was OCD.
     
    jammer, Apr 4, 2019
    #39
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  20. Apr 4, 2019 at 6:56 AM
    #40
    sramirez1516

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    sramirez1516 Saul R.

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    I'd replace them you can use some anti seize grease and avoid over tighten.
     
    sramirez1516, Apr 4, 2019
    #40
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