4.0L V-6 Spark Plugs

[Jeff Kleb]

Okay, I just passed the 31,000 mile mark on my 2005 SR5. My lease expires soon (January) and I expect to be putting my 4Runner up for sale before then.

I need to know the difficulty involved in replacing the spark plugs. The vehicle runs great, but I want it to be "in order" for the next owner and also to keep it in the best condition possible so whomever ends up with it will know it was given proper care.

What brand is best? I know they used two different types in some engines, but I want all six to be the same.

How hard is it to replace/install them? I have done spark plug changes on "old" vehicles, but never on anything like a 4Runner. I suppose the plugs are down deep inside the heads, right? (My Sentra has that type.)

I'm going to replace the engine air cleaner and in-cabin air filter, but those are both easily done in a few minutes. I have already replaced both of them before - probably twice each in the 34 months I have driven this truck. I usually never wait until they are "really dirty" before doing it.
:biggrin2:

I'll check back here tomorrow for replies. Any help at all is greatly appreciated.

BTW, I have driven my '05 since it was new and my baby has always had Mobil-1 synthetic (usually every 3000 to 3500 miles) and OEM filters. I also grease the six zerks with synthetic lube every other oil change.

Thanks!!

 

[gizmopt2002]

Either NGK V-Power or Denso Iridium. Those are literally the only kind, reason being is that the reach is greater than 3/4 of an inch. Yes you will need an extension, I prefer to use 3 short ones so it allows for more flex. Never had a problem. I recently changed to the Denso's and damn, to me def. a difference as far as response and a bit of acceleration improvement.

 

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It is easy, will take 20-40 min for plugs and both filters. Use search on this forum on how to. I used Denso non-irridium, those or NGK recomended by Toyota.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Thanks for the replies! I have a socket set, but only have one or two 4-inch extensions. Do I need to get one very long one in order to reach the spark plugs? Oh, and I do have a gapper for the plugs.

I already replaced the in-cabin air filter this afternoon. I installed it in about three minutes. This is the second or third time I have replaced it. It was not very dirty, but did have some bug parts and pieces of a tree leaf caught in it.

It cost about $24 at the stealership. What a rip-off!! (But at least I know it is done for the last time during my time with the 4Runner.) Even Auto Zone wanted $25 for it, and they would have to 'special order' it for me.
:bash:

The engine air cleaner will be about ten bucks at Wally World (Fram or Purolator), and I'll pick it up this weekend. I already have my 6 quarts (yes, 5 1/2 qts for the engine and a half quart as extra to add later if needed) of 5w30 synthetic ready to go.

I bought an OEM oil filter for five bucks and change - also from the stealership. After a quick detail and a trip to the coin-operated vacuum, my 4Runner is going to be ready to go up for sale.

I am going to miss her, but it is honestly "too much truck" for me - since I never go off road and it seldom snows here. Someone is going to get a babied, well-maintained 4Runner.

 

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Even two 4 inch extentions wont be enough. You need one 8 inch ext bar and one 4 inch. One more thing: unless you have locking set, tape extentions toghether with some electric tape.

 

[sharp4runr]

Dude, whoever buys your truck will be lucky to have you as PO. From what I've read, you've taken real great care of her.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

2005 4Runner

Dude, whoever buys your truck will be lucky to have you as PO. From what I've read, you've taken real great care of her.

Thanks for the kind words, sir; but you are correct that the new owner of my 'baby' will be getting a great ride. Hard to believe that my lease expires exactly two months from today.
:sobbing:

Anyway, I will install a new engine air cleaner and do an oil & filter change (Mobil-1 & OEM filter, of course) this weekend. I replaced the in-cabin air filter two weekends ago. I'll also be greasing my six zerks again with synthetic grease. I waxed her last Sunday and it was well worth the effort!

All I will need to do is replace the spark plugs (mentioned above at the beginning of this thread) and rotate the tires. The interior is very clean, but I may want to get a new set of floor mats - just for good measure.

I looked under the hood and each cylinder has two bolts that apparently hold in each spark plug. The right side looks easy, but the driver's side has some kind of bracket that will probably have to be temporarily removed. I can get my socket at those bolts, but why do I need extensions? Do I have to remove something from "inside" the cylinder head where the coil is? {Is this something worth paying the stealership to do? I have replaced spark plugs before, but only on older OHV 'domestic' V8 engines and once on a 1990 Nissan Sentra that had everything easily accessible.}


Oh, and I do have a gapper - so that is no problem.....but how do you know what the proper setting (.045, .030, etc.) is supposed to be? NGK or Denso are the best plugs, right? What about Bosch, AC, Champion, etc., etc.? Howcome the V6 engines don't have platinum or iridium spark plugs? Even my '02 Sentra came with them.
:headslap:

Peace and good night to all.

 

[gizmopt2002]

To be honest Jeff, no it isn't, at least for me. The stealer ship wanted to charge me 126.99. And thats for the 3.95 plugs, not the Iridium (doubt they would even install that.) So IMHO it is not worth it to take it to the dealer. It takes me 30 minutes, but for a first timer, taking every step carefully, no more than an hour should be about what it should take you (your no newb IIRC.)


I highly recommend Denso Iridium, these you shouldn't gap because if the iridium. Not sure why they didn't come with platinum.

 

[thrak]

Just wondering, if you are leasing it, how can you sell it? Technically you dont own it.

Are you going to buy it at the end of the lease? Why not just turn it in?

 

[Jeff Kleb]

No, it is not technically mine to "sell" -- since it belongs to Toyota. However, I have made all of my 36 lease payments and have until the termination date of my lease (2nd week of January) to either buy it outright for the residual value, turn it back in or trade it on another vehicle from Toyota.

It is obviously worth more than the residual, so whatever I can get for it above and beyond that is money I can put down on another vehicle (Toyota or otherwise). I have taken very good care of it and do my best to keep it clean & shiny as possible.

So long as Toyota gets a check for the residual, they'll be happy -- although they obviously would prefer that I trade it in an another Toyota product.

I may end up taking it to the stealership for the spark plugs, but have not decided. To me, the money is obviously important.....but I am in the busy season at work and put in so many hours that I always run out of daylight by the time I get home.
:bash:

 

[kimboy]

Skip the spark plugs and let the new owner perform that task. What record will they have of that service being performed unless you payed 1/3'rd of a lease payment to have the stealership do it (Recorded in the computer)? It makes no sense to me to change the plugs unless you will be buying out the vehicle yourself.

Just me 2 cents.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Spark Plugs


My g/f works at the nearest Toyota stealership, so I'll probably get a slight discount.....but I am having them replace my spark plugs today. I am just too pressed for time to worry about it, and I do want it shown in "their computer" that it was done.


EDIT: I went to the stealership today (Saturday, 11-24-07) and it turns out that they "did not have time" to do my sparkplugs. They were short one technician - Doh! Anyway, they said they'd give me a discount if I brought it back another day.
:bash:


I have done all of the other maintenance - and have all of my receipts. I recently replaced the in-cabin air filter, the engine air filter and gave it an oil & filter change last weekend (synthetic) - as well as lubricating the zerks. I gave my 4Runner a complete cleaning two weekends ago, and am going to hit it at least once more before trying to find it a new home.
:awais:

Believe it or not, I already have someone interested (a mother of my son's school friend) in purchasing it. She was looking for a low-mileage, well-maintained '04 or '05 4Runner. Her color choice is either silver or grey and the power moonroof is a "must have" in her mind.
:biggrin2:

Anyway, it is hard to believe that my three-year stint with my 4Runner is coming to an end.



P.S. I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

UPDATE


Well, I had the stealership replace my spark plugs yesterday (December 1st). My girlfriend works there and used her employee discount for me, so the whole tab was $109 including taxes. It would have been $140, so I guess it came out okay.

They gave me the old spark plugs - as I requested - so that I could examine them. Oddly, three of them were NGK and the other three were Denso; but I have heard others here on this forum mention that the 4.0L V6 engines come from the factory like that.
:bash:

Anyhow, since I just changed the oil & filter recently....along with the engine air cleaner and the in-cabin air filter; she'll be ready for sale or trade. My lease expires January 14th, so I have a bit more than a month to come up with a buyer or the residual value. I have already made my 36th lease payment.
:bigok:

There is no need to change the timing belt (since it has a chain), and my 4Runner has the long-life coolant and lifetime automatic transmission fluid - so no need to do anything with either.

I noticed that the old spark plugs were a bit on the 'dark' side, but there was no fouling or other signs of abnormal wear. I don't notice any difference in performance, but I'll keep my eye on the fuel economy to see if there is any improvement.



Have a great Sunday, people!!

 

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Re: UPDATE

I'll keep my eye on the fuel economy to see if there is any improvement.

There won't be any MPG improvement. Just accept it - it's a 16-20 MPG Toyota, I did...