I'm changing the spark plugs + cleaning the throttle body + MAF sensor on a 2.7L for the first time

There is no side on the 2.7L, just 4 plugs in a straight line.

 

Changing my spark plugs for the first time didn't go as I had planned, but I got it done along with the throttle body cleaning. The Husky spark plug socket from HD, that was to make it easier and be the best $3.78 I ever spent, caused me a problem and wasn't how I planned to start it. The one I bought was a 18mm, when I should of had a 16mm, so I keep spinning the socket and finally figured out it was the wrong size. I happened to pick up a set of 3 Autolite spark plug sockets at Wal-Mart and that was a disaster, lucky I had a few old ones at home and One of those was like gold. The Autolite spark plug socket kept losing the rubber cushion inside the engine hole and the only way to get it out was to remove the spark plug I just installed. Three things I would recommend:

#1. Buy these Pliers from Harbor freight, like I did or wherever because without them I couldn't have change the plugs. The socket didn't want to come out after I tightened the plug and the only way I could remove it, was to reach in and pull it out. Here: #2. DON'T buy a cheap (Autolite spark plugs socket) and get one that will retain the rubber cushion = worth it's weight in gold.

#3. If you do the throttle body cleaning and happen to use too much cleaner (use VERY little) and your Tacoma doesn't want to start, hold down on the accelerator when starting and it will turn over (Got that nugget from Eric the car guy on YouTube)

Funny-NOT, as I finished I thought the Autolite socket was missing the rubber cushion and that I accidently used it on one of the plugs I installed, thinking I will have to remove everything again to get to the spark plug hole I left it in and I removed one hose, then just for shits-and-giggles I doubled checked the Autolite socket and in the fading sun did see the rubber cushion, which saved me a lot of rework.

 

battery needs to be disconnected to re-learn the new idle process .

 

Was that why I had a hard time starting it when I finished, because it needs to relearn? I was going to clean the MAF sensor tomorrow, would you advise me to disconnect the battery and when it's clean to re-install it, so it can re-learn the new idle process?

 

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gearcruncher: battery needs to be disconnected to re-learn the new idle process .


Markcal: Was that why I had a hard time starting it when I finished, because it needs to relearn? I was going to clean the MAF sensor tomorrow, would you advise me to disconnect the battery and when it's clean to re-install it, so it can re-learn the new idle process?

This was gearcruncher's answer to my last question to him, that he answered off thread here:

Its a great idea to remove the battery when cleaning any fuel injected component .
Yes , that is why the engine had a difficult time trying to start after you cleaned the throttle body .Best practice is to remove battery post so re-learn process activates with the clean throttle body . Taking your truck back to the factory setting by removing all the crap out of the aluminum body .
When I clean mine with throttle body cleaner and removing the battery posts , it takes 45 minutes of driving stop and go traffic before the idle has re-learned

 

There are all kinds of gadgets that you can buy to keep an extension attached to the spark plug socket and I have a bunch of them that have been sitting in the back of a drawer for a long time.

The best and simplest thing to do is wrap duct tape around where the socket and extension join. A couple of "tight" wraps should get it done.

 

I started out not using anti-seize and that was my plan: per Denso's recommendation, but after having to reinstall the first plug because of the rubber cushion not coming out with the socket, I heard the silver anti-seize coating Denso uses is only good for one install and after that to use the anti-sieze. I was finger tightening them and being so dry, I just couldn't get a feel if I was cross threading them or not, so I used the anti seize on every plug. I didn't want to hand torque the plugs either, but just didn't trust the Harbor freight torque racket I bought, so I went 1/4 turn after tight and it hopefully was correct.

 

WOW, wish I thought of that before the pliers, so simple and what guy doesn't have duct tape sitting around, great thinking outside the box....next time!!

 

Would it be OK for me to wait till tomorrow to disconnect the battery after cleaning the MAF sensor or would you recommend I did it tonight and then again tomorrow after the MAF cleaning?

 

I put the plug into the socket just enough to hold the tip of the plug and just far enough to grip the plug for turning but not fall out then install counter clockwise until I feel it seat into the head then tighten that bitch down

 

Yeah, thats something I did on each plug, first counterclock wise and I usually can feel it pass over the top thread, then that's when I started turning clockwise.

I know the most important recommendation for me is leaving plenty of time and good weather condition helps too. I know if I'm rushing things seem to be harder or the chance of something going wrong doubles, but when I leave extra time, the panic never really happens and it's a totally different experience = way more enjoyable IMHO.

 

I went to Home Depot today to return the 18mm spark plug socket and try to find the 16mm. I asked an associate to send someone to help me and that person pointed at my 18mm, as the only one HD sells, when I know they have a Husky 16mm. I returned the 18mm, then asked the lady at the return desk if they have a 16mm, but she was so busy she let me come in to the return both and use their computer to find a 16mm. I looked up the 16mm and it said there were 3 in the store, so I tell the first person that there are 3 in the store. I went to the Husky sockets and on one knee looked at the lower far right corner, with my 16mm staring me in the face, as well as 2 other sizes, so he was wrong that there were only one size, when there were 4.