Loose Spark Plug From The Factory

I'm assuming you missed this one on purpose? https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/denso,3491,spark+plug,7212 Looks like half of your claimed $22 price of which stated "They are expensive spark plugs". I mean if $22 is expensive to you, surely $11 would have been a bargain. Not trying to bash you, but you seem to know it all so we are grateful for your insight into the quality issues with Toyota. No doubt they left your plug loose because there is no way it could have worked loose and I mean that is without question 35K worth of blow by. Honestly I don't know how it ran like that. I would take it right back to Toyota and demand the robot that torques every single plug the exact same be fired and they should give you a Land Cruiser to make it right.

 

One thing to note here is that I am seeing a lot of posts lately about RockAuto shipping the wrong or counterfeit / mislabeled stuff. That has put me off because I have had a couple instances of that with Amazon.

Just my $0.02, or less.

 

.8mm or .031 if your gap tool is standard. I recommend using the wire type spark plug gap tools and not those circle ones with the progressively thicker ledge like this one: https://www.autozone.com/clamps-and...gauge/autozone-spark-plug-gap-gauge/69933_0_0

Something like this is much more precise:

$13 Wright Tool 9531 Wire Gap Gauge

https://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-9531-Wire-Gauge/dp/B0042T7J2C

I personally don't like feeler gauges for gapping plugs because they have a sharp edge on them and I'm paranoid about damaging the electrode or ground strap. The round edge of the wire type won't damage anything and is much more precise than the ledge-type ones. They're supposedly pre-gapped from the manufacturer, but I found all but 1 needed very slight adjustment. It seems rare that plugs come pre-gapped with a high level of precision.

 

Yes, if I wanted to wait a week for possibly counterfeit or used parts then I would have ordered from Rock Auto and saved $50. Shipping is $6 for a week and $16 for 3 days. I ordered NGK Iridium spark plugs for my Acura TL from Rock Auto about a year ago and I received 5 new spark plugs and 1 used spark plug. Didn't find out until I was 75% of the way through the job too, I'll never buy spark plugs on the internet again. I specifically posted LOCAL PARTS STORES because as I previously mentioned, I wanted to buy them that day since I was already doing the transmission flush. Perhaps even more important, I like to visually inspect the plugs before paying for them since I've received damaged plugs more than a few times and they are quite fragile. Peace of mind is worth spending a few extra dollars to me. If you're so concerned over $20-$50 maybe you should trade-in your Toyota for a Hyundai.

Did you check out the gas prices in Daytona Beach? I think you'll find them worth the drive! Also, I heard you can re-use toilet paper if you hang it outside to dry. Can you confirm this for me?

 

Much appreciated

 

It's an easy job, just read my first post about loosening the lower bolts for the intake plenum brackets but not fully removing them on the drivers side, it will save you some time and frustration from trying to re-install them. Once you can swing those out of your way, the only other thing you'll need to remove is a 10mm bolt for an insulation pad for the coil closest to the firewall on the drivers side and unplug the AFR sensor to move the harness out of your way. It's almost a straight shot straight down to all the plugs, but a long 3/8 extension with a wobble head will make getting on the spark plug socket a lot easier though.

On the passenger side you only need to unplug the high pressure fuel pump to get the coil out closest to the firewall, remove the intake tube for the coil closest to the radiator, and remove a 10mm bolt for the bracket supporting the coil harnesses to get access to the middle coil.

Put a little dielectric grease on the inside of the coil boots before re-assembly and you'll be good to go!

 

That's my wife's' job!

 

Time and travel is money, well saved! It's not worth the hassle sometimes and buying from Toyota, you now you are getting a genuine part not some knock off that's been stamped to look real.

 

Why am I not shocked that you want to pull every plug out one at a time and inspect them. I can only imagine how many you were able to spot at the dealer that didn't meet your standards because you are 'that' guy. Again, not bashing, just having fun with you because I see people like that all the time. My favorite was a guy that told me he could tell his alignment was off by looking at it.

 

never mentioned reuse ????

who the heck uses a condom..............

# 1 plug was just short of failing completely

5 & 6 clearly show signs of MISfiring

only 1 is firing correctly

would Never suggest reusing a crap shoot like that

yet out of all this MISguidance ( not knowing exactly which cylinders the plugs come out of )

not a hint to assuage the overheatin ceramic insulators on 2 plugs

nor stopping the MISfiring on 2 plugs

or the near Total degradation of a near failed plug

who needs a torque wrench when that aint the issue

 

The OP is tuned now and should do a lot better, in my opinion.

The OE tune does nothing good for the hardware.

I had pinging on the Stock tune on our hottest days. The last tune version knocked it down a lot on 87 octane. This summer on the latest tune and 92 octane with a good MPG bump, zero pings.

 

glad matters are better for U

quite certain I did NOT comment on Ur tune ( ToneRed )

simply mentioned on the photo of 6 spark plugs

there certain Obvious issues other than a sparkplug being loose

new plugs will be a short term panacea

NOT for all issues tho

good luck

 

Yep. I was just jumping in there that @Redline870 should be able to see better results on the tune given what I am experiencing.

 

curious did Ur spakplugs look like photo ???

redline870 show rather definitve issues

 

Always some people on here to bash other and leave some stupid ass posts.


That being said I seen this a while ago, but really should check mine. Can’t believe Toyota can’t torque a plug or have the right specs set. Toyota quality and dependability has really dropped

 

That's a good question. I was coming up on 35k when I checked mine. None were loose. They all looked pretty similar with a caramel insulator. The anodes and electrodes appeared to be in good shape.

I should have taken pics.

 

guy im not knocking Ursz or his

certainly NOT a reflection on either of U personally

they are sparkplugs in a pickup truck

yet his show rather obvious 3 different issues

new plugs no doubt will run better........... a no brainer

i think i mentioned id like to see them again in 10k miles

they could look better ................or not

Ur tune could be spot on .................

U wont know till U pull them again maybe in 10k or so

good luck

 

Factory Toyota tune sucks. I heard a ton of spark knock with it on hot days. I guarantee properly torqued down plugs + OVTune + premium fuel will have them looking totally different in another 35k miles.

 

i can SEE the ' knock'

U r probably in the right zip code what U do

show us next time U pull them

# which cylinder they came out of ...........................

good luck

 

Yes. I get where you're coming from.

I am interested in seeing the progression also.

That and maybe getting to the bottom of the loose plug issue.