Spark plug ejected on my 3.5L, stripped head

I reason i ask is i guess the one on the drivers side at the back is hard to get at'
I have no idea how they install the fix.

 

do sert and trade

 

Update: Found a shop that stocked and regularly installed Helicoil Save-A-Thread solid inserts, had them do the job and also replace rest of the plugs. Everyone who said do a Time-Sert, I think you were right about it being the better option, but I'd rather have them do a job with the kit they're comfortable with than change it up on them for a slightly better repair.

Mechanic said the other 2 plugs on the stripped side were tight, but all 3 on the other side were loose - all factory installed plugs.

Truck runs better than before! It's subtle but the idle feels and sounds smoother and maybe a slightly more consistent power delivery or I could be imagining that.

Here's hoping the insert holds while I figure out what I'm doing with the truck. Running really well so I'm tempted to keep it, already did an 8hr trip with a decent payload and no problems. But there's the uncertainty.. so I'll probably be looking at sale/trade soon. Will update the thread if it pops or whatever.

~200 for the insert and install plus avg cost for rest of the plugs. Feeling pretty lucky but not getting my hopes up.

Thanks for all the guidance!

 

I like hearing about updates like this. Thanks for reporting back on it, it helps for future people that experience the same problems.

 

Great reasoning on the decision to go with the helicoil. I have used them in the past with no issues and they have been around a long time. The other one may be better, but if the helicoil does the job, better is meaningless.

Solid information all the way from @slater He really gave good advice.

 

I agree, especially if you cant find someone in your town that's using them...
You tried!
The purchase price for the toolage is costly & im sure if the shop has using the solid insert from heli-coil with success & they have confidence in it, it is what it is...
Sounds like you got it handled, didnt have to throw a head at it!!!

Thanks...

 

^Funny enough time-serts were called in a Toyota TSB for 2AZ-FE engines where the head bolts pulled threads from the block. It affected a large number of Toyotas (2nd gen RAV4s et al). That was 20 years ago, so I guess the Toyota dealers in OP's area no longer have the tools or anyone left that knew how to use them.

 

Theyre superior to anything else out there!!!
Thats not me just being a fanboy, I was scared of them at first....
Someone much smarter than me brought the kit into the dealer service dept. He was another engine line mechanic at one point, became shop foreman & then service manager....
The way the lock the insert in, driving the oblong / expanding threaded tap through the insert locks it in better than anything else on the market...

 

It'll be interesting to see how this holds up with heat cycles. Hopefully it does.

 

Maybe this is just my tinfoil hat talking. But did they remove a plug to check them for age when they recommended them? Not entirely out of the question that when you declined, the tech just ran the plug back in without tightening it.

 

Not sure where you are going with this, but engines came from Kentucky plant with plugs installed

 

Nah, the affected cyl 4 is in the middle of the driver's side bank, with hoses and brackets in the way. If a mechanic wanted to sample a plug, he would've picked a passenger side cylinder for easier access.

The service writer was just pushing the service because the book interval is 60k.

 

Wasn't going anywhere with it, just a data point, and I was actually wrong anyway lol.. driver's side sticker says Texas. Didn't realize the plugs aren't installed there though

 

^Now that an engine replacement has been avoided, you should direct your attention to the other maintenance item due at 120k - vacuum pump vane replacement. It entails unbolting the transmission mount and tilting the engine forward...

 

Has anyone actually replaced their vacuum pump on time? I'm over due and when I was at my local toyota dealer last year buying coolant I asked them if they've seen them fail or if it's a liability thing because it's related to the brakes... advisor asked their two head techs who said "Tacoma's have never had vacuum pumps"

... my fault for asking them a question...every time I do I get a wild answer that doesn't compute...

Prior to that I went to get more red coolant where they told me they haven't sold it since 2013. 3 days prior I was there buying a jug of red coolant. Before that I went with the magnet of my a/c compressor that was new and not even installed yet where they repeatedly told me they could only test for it being seized on the vehicle. I agreed buy explained it was the magnet and not the bearing and had my multimeter live to show them a reading of 0 ohms which yielded a response of "you can't check those like that, it has to be on the vehicle". They warrantied it still " as a favour"

 

Noted, thanks for the heads up. What's a reasonable cost to do this since it's beyond my skill/equipment level?

 

^Call around a few shops.

(I have a TRD Off Road, which doesn't have the vacuum pump.)