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

Deal as soon as you show up to help me with putting on my lift like you promised... or maybe i promised for you. Either way the beers await

 

My Toyota dealer just charged me $36 for 6 plugs. That's $6 a plug. What are yall getting charged?
Thanks
Kiel

EDIT:
Just did a google search and found them for $25 shipped online. I know its just $10 but dang thats a bid differance.

 

I paid $45 for 6 plugs at Autozone

 

I just did my 30,000k service with the help of this write up. Thank you Chris. I payed $3.83 at my local Toyota dealer for each plug.

 

Look at the last few posts. There sure is a big $ difference on plugs. Looks like you could save enough for a couple of beers by shopping around. That would be a good thing.

 

Joined just to thank you for this write up. Changed the plugs yesterday without any issues thanks to this great write up. Thank you.

-Dan

 

Great write-up Chris! I'm doing this next week and your post really points out the specifics. You make it look like a piece of cake.

+1 rep for sure

 

Thanks for this thread! mines is due next oil change. Looks simple enough.

 

I just now hit 30,000 on my 06! Gonna put in the new plugs this weekend. Got the Denso's that you recommended. Thanks for taking the time to post this how to. I have been getting around 16mpg of everyday city driving. I hope the new plugs help e to get a little better mpg? We will see. Thanks FlimFlubberJAM!

 

I definately won't. Do i need to be really careful not to damage the electrode when i gap the copper one's?

 

Hello!

This is my first post in Tacoma World. I have a 2007 dual-cab V6 and I just rolled over 60K. A few weeks ago, I went to Firestone to get a quote for doing a 60K service and part of that quote was for replacing the spark plugs. Their quote for replacing the plugs was $230!! $90 for the plugs and $140 for labor!

So I immediately went to Google and did a search for "how to change spark plugs Tacoma" and this thread came to the top of the results list. After reading through the great instructions that were provided, I thought that I could definitely do this. And I did!!

I bought a set of the recommended Denso plugs on eBay for $20 shipped. I don't know if posting links to eBay auctions is appropriate here but you can search for eBay seller "toyotagreg" I believe his price is $2.83 per plug plus shipping.

I got up early this morning and installed the plugs as directed. It only took me a little over an hour and I could have finished in under an hour if it weren't for that stubborn clip holding the wire to the rear driver side coil! The old plugs appear to be the factory originals (mix of NGK and Denso). Not sure why they didn't get changed at the 30K service but I'm glad that I know they are changed out now!

I want to thank you for posting this tutorial and saving me over $200 in the process! I look forward to learning more tips and DIY projects on this forum.

 

There are only 2 reasons I can think of "why they didn't get changed at the 30K service" who ever owned it didn't have a 30K service or did and was charged for work that was not done. Wouldn't be the first time I heard that. You know for sure if you do DIY.

 

Chris, thanks once again for posting this mod. I'd been eyeballing this one for months and finally changed them yesterday. Took 1.5 hours total and spent a whopping $26 for Denso plugs and anti-seize at the stealership. I chose to start with the drivers side closest to the firewall after disconnecting the various lines and plugs. A little cramped getting a ratchet in there but manageable. I figured if I could knock out the worst one the rest would be cake. They were. I had the laptop on my workbench in the garage in case I needed to reference the photos. The pliers are a great idea but I also used a small bladed screwdriver to lift the plastic tab on the front drivers side plug due to how tight that space is. There's zero slack in the harness on my truck so I rotated the assembly counter-clockwise as I disconnected the plug and did the opposite when reconnecting. Works like a charm. No beers were harmed during this operation but some margaritas took the bullet afterwards.

I have two neighbors who own Tacomas and will help them pull this off when the time comes. Feels great to be able to do this money-saver myself and help a brother out.

Happy Easter!

p.s. I gapped the plugs to .040-.041". I have an app on my Kenwood DNX660 that calculates fuel economy and it immediately showed a 2mpg increase in city driving.

 

How many miles on the truck ?