Spark Plug change on the V6

Are they very hard to do on the V6? it's a 1997

 

no. Have you ever changed plugs on another vehicle before? This one is no harder than most. The corner by the brake booster is and has always been the worst one on any V engine.

 

Here's a write-up for it.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replacing-spark-plugs-and-wires-on-5vz-fe-3-4-v6.261034/

 

Yeah that write up is detailed and a great one to follow if you are unsure of what exactly to do

 

Thanks for that link. The driver side looks to be more of a pain to get to. BTW how often should they be replaced? I'm at 127k original plugs.....yeah i'm way over due but she still runs great!

Anyone have a link to the service manual?

 

Thanks!!

 

Every 30K miles from what I've read around here. The 1st Gen Sticky threads and the search bar are great avenues to Tacoma knowledge, there's not much that hasn't been covered.

 

Literally just did it. Took ten minutes, not including the time to ensure the gap was correct. A couple things in the way but a hell of a lot easier than my old V8 F150.

 

At the bottom of the 1st post, is an attachment for a 2001 Tacoma owner's manual. Now, this is just an owner's manual, but it states on pages 43,47,51, and 55, non platinum spark plugs are to be changed at the recommended 30K mile intervals. Plus, I've found a new set of plugs can pep up an engine pretty good.

 

WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN STICKIED FOR THE 100TH TIME

 

I honestly think that's overkill. These plugs can go at least 50k easy.

Had a buddy just purchase a 3rd gen T4R with 160k and after about a month was complaining of stuttering engine. Pulled the plugs and says "for some reason the previous owner used two different types of plugs... one side was NGK and the other side was Denso"

I go "dude... those are the factory plugs"


Replaced plugs and engine ran great again.

 

Why did the factory used Denso plugs on one side and NGK on the other?!

I just replaced spark plugs in the new to me 2003 Tacoma with 173k and was surprised to see different plugs on different engine sides. Both looked original and equally well worn, to say the list.... but the engine was running fine without skipping a bit on the original plugs with 173k on them. I am sure I wasn't getting full power and the best mileage, but it was running nevertheless.

 

The plugs were very well worn -- I am trying to attach an image, but not sure it would work. I didn't measure the gap, but it was surely at least twice as large as it should be. But the overall spark plug condition indicated zero issues with the engine, which is consistent with my experience so far.

 

Regarding why Toyota uses two different brands spark plugs at the same time even though both of those plugs have the same specs and both are listed as recommended by Toyota, my guess is that it is done purely to maintain goodwill with the two important suppliers and market their products in the exact same manner. It might be done because they have a formal or an informal agreement to that effect. I really see no other reason why Toyota would do such a strange thing.

 

Lots of debate about this on the internet, but no one is 100% sure.

 

I replaced plugs on a '98 with 240k with a misfire in mid-high RPM. NGK in one bank and Denso in the other and hardly any electrode left. I'm certain they were the originals...

 

one rumor I heard was the heads were from different facilities

 

I have my original spark plugs in at ~240k. I am going to be getting those changes out as well as valve cover gaskets in the next few weeks. I'm sure my fuel mileage will pick up. Haha. I just need to find a good tune up kit for a reasonable price...

 

I'm not sure what engine you have but here is this. https://www.ebay.com/itm/180648311559

 

I have the 3.4 V6