3rd Gen Tacoma Spark Plug Replacement.

I checked my plugs several days ago.
They were all loose and torqued to maybe 1 to 3 pounds each.

 

Iridium is found in meteorites in much higher abundance than in the Earth's crust. Autozone and Advance Auto collects this metal via RCAPC in Arizona. (Rooftop Collection and Processing Center) There are trained personnel with asbestos gloves and proxy suits that catch this material and stage it for future processing. Very similar to McDonalds Hot Apple Pies, which arrive the same way from the sun. This is why these plugs are good for at least 100,000 miles and $12.00 a piece. Thanks
Zim

 

Can you guys please post your mileage when you report things like this? It would be more helpful to have the ‘data’, rather than what comes across as just a complaint

 

61,666 miles. Just finished my plugs. Thanks to OP for putting this together. I would not have been able to do what I did without his first post so thanks for that. I have some feedback and tips:

You don't need to remove all the air box and tube and other crap to get this done. If that makes your life easier, go for it, but it's totally unnecessary. I hate removing stuff so I tried to work around any wires and hoses and got it done successfully. You can get through the passenger side plugs without any crazy extensions but do not try the driver's side without long extensions. I bought an 18" half way through because my shortcuts fell short (I was prepared for that since OP and others mentioned it, but wanted to try before I bought). With an 18" extension you are good to go. No wobble-bit necessary.

The driver's side is more difficult than the passenger side as others have said. The middle plug on the passenger side has a bracket in the way, just remove that screw and move it to the side. No need to disconnect the electrical wires in that bracket.

The two vertical black brackets on the driver's side don't need to be removed but they do need to be unscrewed at the top and loosened at the bottom. It'll require two hands and a good base to get the ratchets in the right position to loosen the bolts but you don't need to go through the wheel well. The rear plug on the driver's side needs the foam piece removed. Just take out the 10mm bolt and it comes out easy. The middle and front plugs require some creative rotations with the coils and some pushing of hoses off to the side, but both coils and plugs can be removed without taking any of this stuff off.

My plugs came out okay, but I'm glad I made the swap at 60k instead of 100. They'd probably make it but I'm trying to keep this truck until it dies or I die first. The plugs all came out undergapped though, which was interesting. They all came out about .028. My new plugs in the box ranged from .029 to .030.

Thanks to everyone, love this community.

 

Thank you for that. I needed it. Lol
Zim

 

And not one person saw that his torque wrench was calibrated. NOBODY. What we have here is a professional. Someone dedicated to integrity, and the trade. Boom! I said it. Lol Thanks for this.
Zim

 

Yes I did. Any spark plugs I do get a tiny amount of anti seize.

 

PSA- avoid rockauto all together. They sent 2 of the right plugs and 4 of these random U groove plugs. Took forever to
ship and can’t even send the right plugs. Next time I’ll be happy to spend the few extra dollars on Amazon.

 

Be careful buying from places like Amazon, Ebay, etc...
Counterfeit plugs are a thing.
https://www.driven2automotive.com/blog/how-to-spot-fake-denso-iridium-power-spark-plugs-2017/

 

Just did mine this morning at 60K miles. Took me less then 2 hours. I pretty much followed the OP's instructions and it went very smooth. Having a long extension is key to doing this in a short amount of time. Plugs were looser on the passenger side but not overly loose. No blow by on the coil boots.

 

What size spark plugs wrench do you need for this job? I don't have any and would like to not purchase the wrong one.

 

5/8. 18 inch extension or stack a few.

 

Thanks

 

What type of torque wrench is that OP?

 

Matco tools torque wrench. Its very old, I bought it from a coworker before he retired.

 

Changed my plugs yesterday. I got the new spark plugs at that new Toyota off the 303 N. in Surprise AZ. 134 bucks. I am Mr. Frugal but after looking, and looking, decided pre gapped from the dealer and no shipping etc etc...ok I paid a premium for a little peace of mind. Thanks for all the information on here. The plugs look like they came out of an old 2 stroke. I am watching that "catch can" video right now. Hmmm, says I can't run that catch can in California, go figure.

 

I just did mine at 66k this weekend. Then had my check engine light come on and a weird buzzing sound from one of the coils it sounded like. Pulled two coils back out and put them back in and everything seems fine. Check engine light hasn't come back.

I am also glad I did them early. They looked like they were burning clean but the truck feels smoother with the new plugs. It is an easy job with a good extension and moving some wires and sensors around.

 

Truck running ok with loose plugs at about 20,000 miles. Removed all six to check tips, reinstalled and torqued to proper spec.

 

Plugs arrived. Now for the snow to melt