Spark Plug Replacement for V6-Stealership or DIY?

M

morphius909

New member
Hey Folks,

The rig is at 44,000 kms, just a few more and spark plug replacement is necessary as per owners manual.


Is this an easy DIY or should i let the Stealership take care of it? Is there more involved, like plug wires as well?

Recommendations?
 
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you should DIY. just make sure you have a good spark plug wrench. once you take off the coil packs, just twist 'em on out. the only hard one is the driver's side back plug. otherwise, it is a very easy job that shouldn't take more than 30 minutes or so.

one piece of advice though, don't waste your money buying the more expensive plugs. the v6 runs just as good on OEM plugs. my mileage went WAY down after i replaced my plugs with some bosch double platinums. it may have also been effected by my new tires that i got about the same time, but the truck doesn't run noticeably better with the new plugs. just my .02
 
DIY, Morphius. Easiest thing you can do in V6 next to oil change. You'll need rachet extention about 8-9 inch to reach plugs way down there.
 
I was under the impression, and of course I'll have to check my manual again now, but I thought plugs didn't need to be changed until the 100,000 mile mark.

I have 60K on my '07 Sport 4wd now, and still runs like new. Only problem thus far is my HVAC display light on the right side went out this past Saturday.
 
Zmtking said:
I was under the impression, and of course I'll have to check my manual again now, but I thought plugs didn't need to be changed until the 100,000 mile mark.

I have 60K on my '07 Sport 4wd now, and still runs like new. Only problem thus far is my HVAC display light on the right side went out this past Saturday.
Click to expand...
Zmtking,

If I recall...you have the V8 right? You have nothing to worry about till 100,000.

V6 needs to replace the spark plugs around 30,000.

Oh boy...I'm way passed that. I think I'm at 37,000.
 
Actually, I have the V6. I was sure that I was good till 100K, because of the iridium plugs, what do you think?
 
Zmtking said:
Actually, I have the V6. I was sure that I was good till 100K, because of the iridium plugs, what do you think?
Click to expand...
Since it's inexpensive, it's better to change them as scheduled at 30K.
 
V6 OEM plugs are not Iridium/Platinum and therefore they need replacement at 30k to maintain the emmissions spec. Truth is the vehicle would probably run fine to 60k or beyond. It may miss the tailpipe emmission spec by a whisker though.

If you replace with an Iridium/Platinum there's no reason you can't run a longer interval other than the emmissions weren't certified that way. That means there's no documentation to verify that it'll run clean beyond 30k without fresh plugs (even though it will).

:cheers:
 
I was going to do this but the dealer quoted $100 bucks including the plugs so I decided to let them do it. Was in and out in 50 minutes.
 
BC4Runner said:
I was going to do this but the dealer quoted $100 bucks including the plugs so I decided to let them do it. Was in and out in 50 minutes.
Click to expand...

$ 80.00 per Hour is pricey labor. I'd do it for six-pack of Miller :D
 

When I had my '05 4Runner (V6), I had the spark plugs replaced at the stealership -- and it was about a hundred bucks or so. I had 31,000 miles on it (soon before my lease ended and I turned it in two months later with 33,500 miles on it) when they were replaced.

To me, I guess it was worth it to know that it was done right, but I was sure to ask for the old plugs to be left in a box on my front seat (which they did). I always like to see how bad they look and if I could go longer before changing them again (provided I would have kept the vehicle).

Odd thing is that the 4Runners (at least my 2005 model) have three plugs of one type and three of another. I have never heard of that in any vehicle before.....but I suppose Toyota has reason for doing it that way. The dealership replaced all six of them with the same brand & type, however.

I'd be safe and go ahead with replacing them. If you have something else due, wait to have the stealer do it; otherwise grab a wrench, a long extension and have at it yourself. Just be sure that they are the V6 ones (V8 plugs are a different type) and that the gap is set correctly.
:bigok:

~~ I love my Mustang GT, but still fondly remember my 4Runner whenever I pass one. ~~
 
morphius909 said:
Hey Folks,

The rig is at 44,000 kms, just a few more and spark plug replacement is necessary as per owners manual.


Is this an easy DIY or should i let the Stealership take care of it? Is there more involved, like plug wires as well?

Recommendations?
Click to expand...
Since these are aluminum heads I would use a torque wrench and be very careful not to cross thread. Cross threading and over tightening are the 2 most common mistakes. My engine had 43k on it when I bought the truck and still had the original 3 NGKs and 3 Densos. Use the Densos as I found the NGKs to be badly worn while the Densos looked fresh. They are about $1.80 ea at the stealers.
 
Last edited:
Be careful not to overtighten the bolts on the coil packs. Manual says 80 in.-lbs. torque (if my math is right, that's 5 ft.-lbs.). I overtightened one and it twisted off -- fortunately, it broke above the block so I could easily get it out.
 
Zmtking said:
Actually, I have the V6. I was sure that I was good till 100K, because of the iridium plugs, what do you think?
Click to expand...

I have a V6 too and I thought I was good to 100k. I remember getting the truck thinking it was one less thing I'd have to worry about under my routine maint. I should of read the maint manual closer. :bonk:

Apparently I'm just a little over due at 92k. :D
 
I Use antiseize on everything! However it's spelled. I've been working on cars for 20 years and you can't go wrong using it. :D
It makes life easier the next time you remove something.
 
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