I really do NOT enjoy changing spark plugs.

lol All these 'try this one instead', yet nobody mentioned the Subaru SVX. Gotta pull the engine to do the plugs, or drill holes in the fender liner and fender.

I pulled a set of NGK iridiums out from mine a few months ago, and I dropped some coppers in. Not really satisfied, I've picked up a new set of NGK iridium plugs and I'm gonna toss the copper plugs pretty soon.

I didn't have any problems with the plugs themselves, but the coil packs fought me hard. I just about broke one of the coil pack lock tabs getting the damn thing off.

 

You are not alone. I had this experience with an aluminum-head engine on a car I had: first engine I ever had with an aluminum head: 1983 Buick OHC 4-banger. I changed the the plugs when the head was still warm; I didn't know it at the time but one of them stripped the threads on the way out and I remember it was harder to replace but I didn't "muscle it in" either. It ended up blowing right out of the head a few drives later: A direct result of removing a plug that wasn't absolutely cold. I was advised by an old guy mechanic that quick-cooling aluminum heads shrink down around the slower-cooling steel spark plugs and can hold them fast for a while. Turn them at this time and you can strip the threads in the head. Lesson learned: let the car sit overnight and do the plugs ice-cold in the morning. Did I do plug changes after this: "yes".. but even on cars with a cast iron head, like my '57 Buick and '55 Mercury, I only did them cold. (they take 3-4 days to cool down) The Volvo's with the 16, 20 and 24 valve aluminum heads? You ain't kidding I wait! Will I be doing them on my V6 Tacoma sometime in the future?: probably: "no". I'm leaving it to the "professionals". I know one or two of them that are Toyota-flavor professionals and understand how these motors act when you do the plugs..... They don't panic if something "feels funny." That's why they get paid the big bucks.

 

I'm no expert here, just a shadetree mechanic who can hold his own, but looking your pics, I don't know what anyone wouldn't go with the Denso as a replacement: not even close. Even the threads and plating look higher quality.

 

You're smart. And you're doing it right. It happened to me. (See my response elsewhere in here) 30k mile engine running on three cylinders because a plug blew right out of the hole. Worse: I was the last one to work on it. Cold engine plug changes ever since....almost 40 years. Park it at night, do it the next morning. No big deal. If I had a dealer change them on my truck, I'd drop it off before they closed, ask them to park it in the bay where it would be worked on and do them cold in the morning. If that simple request wasn't worth the $450+ charge to them mentioned in here somewhere, I would drive it back home.

 

Sometimes tis better to pay and let them deal with the fuss..yup

 

Yup. I fix & maintain shit all day. After work, I don’t wanna fix and maintain more shit. So I bring it to a guy. One day he asks why don’t I do it myself. So I asked him, when you get home from work, do you want to fix and maintain more shit? He laughs and says I know what you mean.

 

Aren’t they 30k copper plugs?

 

If you use the Denso OEM recommended plug. They are copper core, yes.

 

I've said this about my brother in law many times..he does auto body and for many years drove the biggest piece of garbage F150 that was falling apart.

 

This is pretty normal.
Plumbers won’t fix a dripping faucet.
Painters won’t paint their own walls.
Mechanics don’t fix their own stuff.

I know accountants that can not manage to pay their own bills on time.
They have plenty of money too, just can’t seem pay the bills.

I do a lot of landscaping, I’d say my lawn is one of the “worst” looking on our road.

 

Replaced my plugs today. Had about 60K miles on the old ones. The old ones had a gap of about .050 or better. Installed the Denso plugs from Toyota parts.

The driver's side is a pain for sure.

 

I use Denso copper and change them every 30k. So far I haven’t had any problems at all, I actually look forward to doing it. Maybe I’m crazy but I think it’s a fun job.

 

Swapped mine out at 120k. Truck still had the factory plugs in it. Worst plugs gapped out at 0.066"

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-spark-plug-change-1-gr-fe.30479/page-113#post-26672099

I will say the passenger side plugs squeaked a little coming out haha. I haven't had a plug shoot out yet, so I'd call the swap a success.

I will also agree with the folks who said the plug change on this motor is super easy. The only PITA was the front driver plug under the throttle body.

 

On mine, the drivers side rear, farthest from the radiator gave me the most difficulty. Seemed to be the most inaccessible and the driest of them all, and the threads in the head were the worst.

I have this, it helps for getting them back in. Also I use locking extensions on the plug socket. Having a socket stuck on the plug can add considerable time to getting the task done.

$17 Thexton Mfg Co. 492 Spark Plug Installer/Remover Kit

https://www.amazon.com/Thexton-492-...04&sprefix=spark+plug+starter+,aps,146&sr=8-3

 

You’ve been there too I see. Lol
9x out of 10, it’s old plug socket grommets that hold on “too tight”.
I’ve used a do of dielectric grease to help, then just buy a new socket after that job is done.

I’ve been looking at the new “fancy” magnetic ones.
But I know I’ll probably drop the socket and break the magnets before I ever get to use it.

 

400 dollars to replace 6 spark plugs...

 

I take the intake manifold support bracket off mine when I do them, make them much easier to get to.
Curved pick sometimes helps with unclipping the coil connectors, swivel sockets are a plus too.
This is my go to spark plug socket, used it alot and it hasn't failed yet.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Craftsma...-Length-6-Point-SAE-Hand-Tool-49281/803311229

These come in handy if you want magnetic sockets but don't want to shell out the money for them, I use them on deep sockets for those 14mm and 9/16 plugs that alot of stuff is using now.
https://www.searshometownstores.com/product/Craftsman-49813-5PC-MAGNETIC-TRAY-AND-ACCESSORY-SET

 

Last I checked my dealer was $249.99 for the Tacoma. Plugs included.

I hate to see what that dealer above quotes for a rear wheel bearing.
Mine wanted like $1,1xx dollars. Each.

 

I bought a set of the magnetic ones, I don’t think I ever used them, and haven’t seen them in awhile so they might have rolled away. Most of my extensions are locking now so it’s less a problem.

 

Has anyone ever thrown a plug? My truck just threw the 3rd one on the passenger side. First the front plug, then the back, and now the middle just went. I assume someone over torqued them but only the passenger side has given me trouble. 97 with 227k on it