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

Keep in mind 15 ft-lb is for dry thread. If you use antiseize like Chris4x4 suggests, you will have to reduce the torque by some unspecified amount. I hand-threaded each plug all the way to the bottom (antiseize makes this smooth), then gave each plug another 1/4 turn with the ratchet handle. Denso advocates counting-turn method on the back of the box.

Mine had the same gap values after 31k miles. Pretty incredible consistency for both Denso and NGK. I wonder if the NGK plugs wore faster or were simply gapped higher when new.

For new plugs I installed Denso Iridium Long-Life plugs

$53 SK20HR11 ---- IRIDIUM PLATINUM power pack Spark Plugs -- # 3421 ----- 6 PCS NEW

SK20HR11 intended for the 2.7L. A bit more expensive ($6.20 at Rock Auto) but hopefully I will be able to go longer between plug changes.

 

I ass-u-me no scary problems using Denso Iridium Long-Life plugs instead of the regular plugs ? Wonder why they spec them and the 30,000 change.

 

Regular plugs - 30k change
Iridium Long-Life - 100k change advertised by both Denso and Toyota on the 2.7L.

No problems with iridium plugs. Both Rock Auto and Denso lists the

$53 SK20HR11 ---- IRIDIUM PLATINUM power pack Spark Plugs -- # 3421 ----- 6 PCS NEW

SK20HR11 as compatible with the 1GR. The only question is whether I've wasted my money paying more for iridium plugs.

30k from now, I will remove one of the plugs and check the gap. If good, then I'll leave them all in.

 

Well you didn't waste your $$ unless you paid more then 3X for the Iridium plugs or don't put any value on your labor which would be more then 3X for the regular plugs - if that logic isn't too confusing.

 

Anyone know what P/N are the plugs included with the TRD supercharger kit?

 

Just wondering. I did mine today at 163,325, plugs looked normal but gap was closer to .070. You said you gap yours at .040. a friend at the auto parts says .044. Which is correct?.

 

Thanks for the info chris4x4. I'm glad I listened to you. I gapped mine at.040. Hopefully my MPG's go up. Thanks again. BTW, great write up.

 

Changed mine today at 62k. Good write up. As others stated, passenger side was a breeze. Driver side wasnt too bad once i removed a hose in the way. The only real problem was the plug on the one closest to the front of the truck. Thanks for the detailed pics.

 

Here are pictures of the original spark plugs out of my 09 with 112,000 miles. I changed them today and it was not too bad, took about an hour. Before changing plugs I was averaging 18 MPG hwy and city. Hope I get better MPG now.007.jpg And thanks for the write up on the DIY. Very helpful. I find the majority of the post on this site to be very helpful!

 

Wow... You got 112,000 out of your first set of plugs.?? That is amazing, kinda makes you wonder why people change them every 30,000.

 

I bought the truck used with 92,000 miles on the clock, It drives with plenty of power and getting pretty good fuel mileage, I could not see on the Toyota owners site where this vehicle had the plugs changed in service so I wondered about it. I will not wait this long again even though they were easy to remove, I was worried about the threads sticking with them in there that long but no worries. I hope I get as good or better mileage now so I will update later.

 

I had 162,xxx and mine looked original too. I'm hoping for better mileage too. I put anti-seize lube before putting new plugs in. And like OffsetPlayer2 said, the hardest one to change is the one on drivers side toward the front. This thread made it very easy to do. Thanks.

 

Well I wouldn't hold your breathe for that, I have changed my exhaust, air intake, type of oil etc. and it just doesn't seem to get any better then what it originally got.. Do you have to do the timing belt in Tacoma`s after 100,000 miles.??

 

Belt, yes. Chain, no.

 

Question about the plugs themselves, noticed they have a sort of tapered sleeve (looks like a washer) does this need taken off prior to installation on our trucks? The packaging gives measurements of the plug angle with and without the taper attached. Sorry i dont have the box with me but could post pics later if noone knows what im talking about.

 

on the 4.0 liter V-6 the timing is chain driven, no belt.

 

Well that's good to know, doing a timing belt is always a very expensive task..

 

Ok, I am just getting underway to change my sparkplugs and I am following Chris4x4's great instructions. I have a 2012 4.0 TRD Sport Auto transmission. Well when i got to the step about removing the air intake I found something in the way?? See attached photo. What is it and why is it different from Chris' photo below?? Thanks for any input!

Chris' Photo --v, my photo --^.