How long did it take to change your spark plugs?

Did mine two months ago and it took me about an hour. Not hard at all if you've got basic hand tools. It would have been quicker, but I forgot a coil plug the first time around and got a CEL. A quick check of the harness found it and then I had to dig into my toolbox to find my code reader to clear the code. Plugged it in, cleared it and was in business.

 

Took about an hour or so from start to finish. Had my wife handing me tools when I asked for them so that helped with time. I recommend starting with the passenger side if you have never done them before since that side is easy and will let you get a "feel" for them. The drivers side is a little harder only because you have to remove a few things to gain access to the coils. Easy job though, just take your time.

 

be glad u dont have a supercharger to worry about. ive gotten very good removing that damn thing and could probably get my plugs changed in about 3 hours

 

Are you guys switching them out with OEM ones or some of those expensive fancy ones?

 

I did mine yesterday and it took about an hour, as I've done spark plugs before in other cars and trucks. Mileage is 27000, and I didn't feel like doing it in December when temperatures are down. Carefully gapping the tips to .043-.044 without damaging them, and fighting with the rubber in my spark plug socket took the most time. The drivers side is a little cramped, but I managed with some socket extensions and a swivel joint which helped avoid having to remove brackets just to access one of the coil pack bolts. Got to be real careful not to lose those coil pack bolts on the drivers side! I also reset the ECU, removed and cleaned my MAF too. So far so good!

 

I've heard of people doing both. I personally went to the dealership and bought the factory plugs (Denso) for around $4-5 each IIRC. When you pull them for the first time they will be Denso plugs on the passenger side and NGK on the drivers side (no idea why?). Since I will only change them every 2 years or so I just went back with the regular (factory) copper plug. Copper is a better conductor of electricity and a hour of my life every 2 years is not really a big deal. I enjoy wrenching on the truck anyway.

Iridium tip plugs would probably be fine also but I figure the Toyota engineers know what they are doing and put the copper plugs there for a reason.

Take this for what it's worth when you buy the plugs: The NGK (driver's side) were worn to .047 while the Denso's (passenger side) were only worn to .043. Leads me to believe the Denso plug is the better plug and what they gave me at the dealership.

Spark Plug Change Thread Here

And the perfect write up here from Chris4x4






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I bought a socket from AutoZone that has a magnetic end for the plugs for about 7-8 bucks.

 

i use locking extensions. i have 2-3" ones and 1-6" one. that covers everything.

they are pretty cheap from Sears. you cant change the plugs on a early porsche 911 without them. (or you could use the factory tool)

 

You have a S/C and are really going to whine about a few extra minutes to change the plugs?? Ship it my way, I'll rid you of the hassle

 

naa, not to bad. i enjoy it. but with the engine problems i have had, ive gotten pretty good an removing the S/C with ease and speed

 

Yeah, took me all day but most of that was trying to do it w/o removing the s/c because someone on a forum somewhere said it could be done.

In hindsight it's much easier to just pull the damn thing and next time I don't expect it will take me more than 2-3hrs.

 

You can buy OEM Denso plugs from Rockauto.com and have them shipped for about $20 total for set of 6.

Having a spark plug socket with the rubber boot inside to hold the plug is handy. As mentioned, socket extensions and connect them and the socket with electrical tape.

It took me about hour and a half on my 2006. A few months later I did my wife's 2000 4Runner.

 

2 hours, thanks for the write up Chris