Spark Plug Replacement (and a laugh)

alright so when I was searching the forum for a how-to on changing plugs, I didn't find a whole lot of info. So, after finishing it myself I decided to do a lil write-up for other newbies like me.

first things first, grab a brew


2. check out and remove the hoses and such that are blocking the cylinders (don't have a pic of it clear, but you get the idea)

3. remove the bolts and wires from the coil packs, then pull out the boot gently and set it to the side, on a clean surface. wipe off the cylinders carefully, making sure not to get any debris into the cylinder itself.

4. ratchet out the plug until its completely unthreaded. and here's the tricky part. You could try your hardest to get the plug with just needle nose pliers, or you could make a ghetto parts grabber like me--


that is a ordinary kitchen magnet wrapped up and held with my pliers, worked on the first try. just slide it in and around the plug and pull out (gently).

5. all you have to do with the new plugs is apply the lube that comes with the plugs (autozone) and then drop them in and ratchet til they're tight, but don't over tighten and strip them.

on to the driver side
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6. the driver side boots will simply pop out with enough force (once again, pull gently)

once again you'll want to remove a couple items that are in the way, should be 10 mm bolts if your engine is like mine.

7. lay those boots to the side, repeat the same steps with the plugs, slide in the new plugs, ratchet, replace the boots all around, and then replace all the hoses and things you had to move out of the way and you're done!

(tools and stuffs)


and here's another write-up http://www.4runners.org/writeups/sparkplugs/

 

Good work. I did this a few months ago but forgot to do step one. Will this cause any long-term issues, or should I re-do the job?

 

definitely long term depression issues

 

you know that they make spark plug sockets with little rubber boots that do this for you???

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for ingenuity, but isn't that what a spark plug socket is for?

edit: I never read the whole thread before I reply.

 

the spark plug socket i have doesn't. and instead of buying one i got smart

 

Even with a sparkplug socket, you should wrap electrical tape around the top of the socket and the bottom of the extension (tape them together) so you don't lose lose it all in the hole.

 

8" long piece of fuel hose works great for fishing out and starting plugs. Grips the isolator perfectly, nice and bendy and you can't usually get enough torque on it to crossthread.

 

They have locking extentions for this issue too. they will not release the socket unless you press the button.

 

Man you need to clean that engine bay. you should spray it down with a Degreaser like simple green or purple power, Let it sit for a minute and then hose it down. It will be som much more enjoyable to work on when it is clean in there. Also if you really want it to POP Throw some tire shine on the black parts and your engine bay will look better then the day it was new. Good Write up though and I like the idea with the magnet for those that might be a spark plug socket short of a full socket set LOL.

 

nice! i need to do my plugs.

also 1) miller light=
2) i think we have the same beach towel.

 

X2 on the electrical tape on the socket/ratchet. And no offense, but you should choose a better beer, haha. Try some Alaskan Brewing Company Summer Ale if you can get your hands on it.

Oh...and I also have that "beach towel." I think it has been downgraded to a fish cleaning towel though.

 

Bosch plugs..... really?????

 

LOL. I suspect many would just stop with step one.

 

I wouldn't buy into the myth that Bosch plugs don't work well with Tacomas, I went to parts store to get Denso (OEM) but they were out & had to go to Bosch, absolutely no issues at all, runs fine as it ever did...

I did......

 

brew is brew sirs, personally i prefer a shot of tequila though. as for the engine bay its a work in progress. dad didnt do more than your standard maintenance, therefore im working on it