Another spark plug thread

After reading all the post about how difficult it is to replace the plugs and being pretty lazy and just putting it off finally got around to replacing them. I bought the plugs about a year ago just to get an idea of how long I put it off. Reading the stories of people saying how difficult the driver side is didn't help to motivate me. Finally hitting 100K so decided to do it. Knocked out the passenger side in about 30 minutes. Moved over to the driver side. Probably did that side in about 25 minutes since I already had all the tools and had rhythm. Proper tools key to making it easy. I would love to see a Toyota tech actually pull the intake to do this job. Absolutely no reason to do that.

Plugs looked fine and probably could have gone another 100k. No clue why anyone would need to replace them at 60k aside from helping denso sell more plugs. Only benefit is that they would be easier to remove. I could see them seizing with more time.

 

Mine looked fine after 6 years and 120K.

I recently replaced the ones in the Camry after 10 years and approximately the same mileage. They too, looked good.

I had no issued with any of them coming out, and I don't think more time or miles would have made them any easier or harder to remove.

 

With the "fancy" plugs you don't really get the visibly worm down electrode like the old school spark plugs would so they continue to look good.

 

I honestly was impressed with my overpriced spark plugs. Considering the conditions they operate in to look as good as they do is quite impressive. The gap was virtually the same after 90k.

 

I wasn't knocking them, they do hold up remarkably well.

 

Per plug?

 

I think the job took me a little over two hours, and I thought it went well.. lol

 

I think stated 25 min job on driver's side is a typo.

 

All 3. It is removing 8 bolts, an insulator, 3 connectors, 3 coil packs and 3 plugs and a hose then reverse. There really isn't much to it. Having the correct tools is key. Some of videos suggest removing a bunch of clips and other parts that really isn't necessary. All that needs to be removed is the 2 brackets, the insulator and the one hose. Everything else can be worked around.

 

What year is your truck? Were any of them already loose?

 

18" of extensions is that key? Dude, we have done it before you, there is no way you have spent 25 min on the driver's side.

Cylinders 2,4 takes at least 5 min to wiggle the coil out. Toyota techs here said it before it is faster with removal of intake and replace plugs.

 

I don't know why it is so shocking. I detailed what has to be removed. My coils literally slid right out. There was zero finessing other than moving a wire or two and some vacuum lines. It really didn't slow the process. 10mm, 12mm socket, the swivel spark plug socket, a few extensions and a torque wrench. would guess that if you don't have a swivel sparkplug socket, it might be a bit more of a challenge, but it is literally a 25 minute job. What are you struggling with that takes you so long?

There is zero chance removing the intake is faster. It isn't in the way. Are you sure you are working on a 3.5l?

 

I don't even recall needing a swivel. Even with my torque wrench I believe aside from a 10mm,12mm, (maybe) 14mm and, a pick I only needed a 6" extension. I'm about due to do them again here soon so we'll see.

 

My 8" extension will sit flush with the top of the well. I needed a minimum 12" to be able to turn a wrench, especially on the passenger side bank.

 

I think it made it easier to navigate the intake. I used a set like this -

 

Fair, I may have been mistaken and meant to say a 9" because I remember my socket and extension sat flush with just enough room for the torque wrench to clear the valve cover for torquing... either that or my socket was long. Thank you for the correction