How To: Spark Plug Change (1 GR-FE)

Did you ever find an answer to the oil on the plugs? One of mine had the same thing. The coil even seemed to have a little oil baked on.

 

Thanks. Maybe someone will know why the Autolites didn't work but bottom line now you know to use Denso. Just a thought Chris 4X4 knows just about everything about Taco maintenance, he might know the answer. I'll see.

 

Thanks Chris ! Figured you'd know the answer.

 

another project i cant do it myself. i will pay dealer $170 for this service.

 

great write up! glad i found this since im swappin my plugs to Pulstar Iridiums this week

 

First off, let me just say thanks for all the tips on routine maintenance. Also, I may just be paranoid, but I feel like it takes my truck slightly longer to start after changing my plugs out just now. I went with the same exact plugs you recommended from the dealer (V6). Maybe I just didn't ever think about it...but it seems like it cranks for a full second before it finally starts. I don't have another Tacoma to compare it to, so I'm wondering if this is normal?

If it starts and seems to run fine, can I assume I did it correctly?

Thanks

 

Probably nothing, I noticed I was paying a lot more attention on how the truck started and idled after a plug change.
My truck sometimes takes a little longer to start too, nothing to worry about.

If it gets worse, you may want to check to make sure all the plugs are properly installed. And if it continues to get worse, take it in.

 

Did you disconnected battery before the spark plug change? That could be one reason. otherwise if you screw up sparkplugs you pretty much know right away (CEL code, rough iddle, lack of power, misfires etc) Cranking for one more second is not really a spark plug thing unless all 6 are a problem.

 

I didn't disconnect my battery beforehand. I'm sure I'm just more aware of the truck (maybe looking for problems). I guess I was just needing to hear it from someone else.

Thanks for your input

 

Chris,

Another great techincal DIY write-up. Completed in about 90 minutes. Nice to know what to remove without taking too much off. Improve throttle respond, now to see if mpg's increase.

Thanks Again !!!!!

 

I just got done installing new iradium 24k's on my first gen this afternoon. I have done this before but every time there is something new. This time I checked to make sure the new spark plugs were gapped right, they weren't. So I gapped 'em to .40. I also took the time to blow out my cold air intake and clean the inside of the intake pipe running to the throttle. Fired 'er up and she starts like a champ. Gonna go out later this evening and see if she rides any smoother.

 

I noticed the picture of the plug is a single ground plug. I just changed plugs last night. Right after replacing all with the plugs, my son noticed a sticker on the timing belt cover that stated DO NOT USE SINGLE GROUND PLUGS<_ONLY DOUBLE GROUND,-which is what I pulled out,-half Denso and half NGK. I had just started the truck to make sure it ran,-but have not restarted until I find out about these plugs,-whether I can use them or not.

Do you know if the single ground plugs are acceptable, and why the note about not using them? 2004 Prerunner V6 3400

Thanks,

Carl
cblanke66@yahoo.com

 

Hum... This is the first I've heard of this in this thread, but I probably forgot something way back when I first read the entire thing. I'll have to take a look at my timing cover to see if it requires dual ground plugs. I'm not near replacing my plug, maybe in a few years, but it's still good to know before it's time. Now I'll have to look for test results using triple grounded plugs to see if that has a possitive or negative impact, if any.

Anyway, glad I read this part.

 

Thanks. Guess I got confused what engine had which plugs, but what's new .

 

Hey Chris thanks for the write up. Just finished and it runs like a champ. You rock!