60k Mile (Spark Plug) Service-- What is a fair price?

You usually want to change plugs a little early to prevent them from getting seized up in the head. It is not a reassuring feeling when they squeak and require a big breaker bar all the way out....

 

DIY...............

 

Especially on a Ford 5.4.

 

You bet, I'm in Golden as well. I do other Tacoma and 4runner Maintenance and Suspension stuff too.

 

How much do you pay to replace light bulbs in your house?

 

Yup, going to do it Friday morning w/my brother in law! Glad I read this!

 

So I DO agree that this would be a good reason to change them at 60K miles.

 

I trying to think of a nice/polite way to say this....but....if you have to ask that question, you might consider paying someone to change your plugs.

 

That was done thoroughly and with some humor too!

Ed

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Just watched the video. It is pretty good for the process.

A couple of observations.

The use of anti-sieze was too generous. The anti-sieze needs to be the high temperature version. Copper base I think....

The 1GR-FE does not need the Iridium plugs.

The mention of torque wrench use is good, although the stated torque value is for DRY threads. ON the install, he did not use a torque wrench. Instead, the plugs were tightened about 1/4 turn after hand tight, this is an old school method for plug torque levels.

 

When I sold my 2013 Sienna(similar 3.5L V6 engine) with 156k miles, it still had the original factory spark plugs in it.

I check the front 3 plugs at 20k miles intervals, didn't see any deterioration or fouling.

As one may know, the back 3 plugs on the Sienna are royal PITA to change.

 

My brother and I did my 2016 with 69k today. Took 35 minutes, super easy. They definitely needed it. The passenger side by the cab and front were the worst of all 6.

 

Will be giving this a go next week. Bought my truck used from Toyota dealer with 85k on it. Currently at 120k and noticing a decent decrease in fuel economy. Could be winter gas but who knows.

 

plugs dont look good at all

so signs of overheating & fouling

excessive idling.................possibly normal environs yet lots o idling

 

To maintain your emissions warranty, it's 60K

 

It's not super easy in this case, but it's not really hard. Just don't over tighten the plugs. And don't cross thread them. They should start by hand pretty easy (hand meaning use your hand to twist the extension to get it seated).

Anyway, I like to be as self sufficient as possible. I don't like having to rely on others to get things working. Broke down on the side of the road on Thanksgiving with no way to get going again isn't a fun idea. Build your skills, learn to rely on yourself, I've had it save my butt a few times.

 

Most memorable turkey was back in '94.... Berkeley CA... turned on the oven and nothing. Nada. Zero.
Wife looked not amused, pulled the gas-range away from the wall, asked me to hand her this tool and that tool...
Pulled out some kind of part and tap-tap-tapped it... reinstalled, tightened this and that and away she went.

She knows her sh*t and can run circles around most guys with tools. You should see the outdoor kitchen setup she's
working on ( with me supplying labor )... pix coming in a few weeks.

I used to tune-up my '92 Toyota Pickup Truck ( pre-tacoma ) myself every spring whether it needed it or not.
I looked forward to changing the plugs / wires / distr cap / with my son but alas, as he got older and cars got
newer I could hardly find the damn things anymore.

Like Woodrow advises.. it's good to know your way around 'things' - I wish I knew more especially in the automotive realm...
Always envied folks who wrenched.

 

take your time and you can do it. very simple on the tacoma, driver side is challenging but very do able going slow. GL

 

My truck recently went past 60,000 miles. I called the dealership and the guy said they and some other dealerships have discussed the matter and are of the opinion the Tacoma plugs are good for 120,000 miles.