How to: Installing 3rd gen spark plugs

[zcruiser]

EDIT (07/17/2017): Updated images with links to PostImage (postimg.org).

Couldn't find a decent write-up on changing the spark plugs in my 3rd gen T4R, so wrote one up...

I bought six NGK BKR5EKB-11 plugs from Advance Auto for just under $26.

Tools needed:

- 5/8" Plug socket
- Ratchet and extensions (8" and 3")
- 10mm box end wrench (mine are ratcheting, very helpful)
- 10mm socket
- 8" parts grabber
- Dielectric grease
- Wire gauge
- Phillips and flat screwdrivers
- Nitrile gloves

NGK: BKR5EKB-11
Gap: 1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
Torque: 18 Nm (13 ft lb)

View of the plug locations on driver's side:


View of the passenger side, coil packs obscured by intake. I've marked the various things that need to be detatched, unplugged, or loosened on the intake to remove the section between the filter box and the throttle body:


1. Remove the wiring harness from the left side of the intake (2 places):



2. Remove 3 vacuum tubes from the box, loosen the upper and lower hose clamps.

3. Remove the lower end of the intake first, drop it down into the engine bay, pull upper end off throttle body, then remove the intake from the engine bay.

Now you can clearly see the 3 coil packs and the plug wires leading to the driver side:


4. Remove the 3 plug wires from the coil packs. Due to the custom stock lengths, there's not much chance of mixing them up so I removed all 3. If your plug wires are not different lengths, then removing them one at a time is advised. Release catch by sliding the tip of a flat screwdriver under the latch and pull up on the plug wire boot.


5. Unplug the trigger wire from each of the coil packs and remove the 10mm bolt holding it to the valve cover.
Changing the plugs on the passenger side is pretty easy, actually.


6. Remove the coil packs by pulling gently off the top of the plugs:


7. I used 2 extensions on my 5/8" plug socket to get to the plugs:


Pic of the 3 passenger side (NGK) plugs:

continued...

 

[zcruiser]

EDIT (07/17/2017): Updated images with links to PostImage (postimg.org).

Part II....

Pic of the new NGK plugs:


Close-up of the new NGK tip:


Tip: Now would be a good time to check the gap and apply some anti-seize to the threads.

8. I used a parts grabber on the end of the plug to re-install the plugs. This gave me the "feel" I wanted to make sure the plugs were not cross-threaded. I did not have anti-seize to put on the plug threads but it is recommended.


Before I put the passenger side back together, I took a good look at things under the intake that I normally can't see.
This is one of those things I probably need to replace:


9. Moving to the driver side, it's necessary to move some things out of the way starting with the ground wire next to the diagnostic plug (10mm bolt):


10. I also moved the throttle cable bracket back towards the passenger side (10mm bolt):


Driver side Denso plugs:


Took about 90 minutes, including taking pics and cleaning a few things as I went. Pretty simple one-banana job.

When re-assembling electrical connectors on the coil packs and plugs, apply a small amount of di-electric grease to protect the contacts.

 

[4MUDDER]

i literally just did this 5 minutes ago, i havnt done it since i bought the truck so when i did it they were all burnt!!! i got all ngk and double platinum,(you really only need single) I FEEL A HUGE DIFFERENCE MAYBE CAUSE MY OLD ONES ARE SO BURNT but its smootherrrrr

 

[bgmac]

Nice write up!:thumb3: How old were those plugs? They look pretty ruff.

 

[Elton H]

single ground plugs i hear are not good

 

[alp]

Very good!
Thanks!

 

[JohnsD90]

Nice writeup, but do you guys really not know how to change a sparkplug?

 

[Elton H]

lol some people dont

 

[zcruiser]

Nice writeup, but do you guys really not know how to change a sparkplug?

Ha, yes I've changed plugs a few times, just never done it on a 5VZ-FE, the lack of coil packs on the driver side had me fooled for a few minutes. Helps to know that you really need to buy double-ground plugs, don't buy Bosch, always use anti-seize, etc. I think anyone doing it on this engine for the first time could benefit from a few pics to get a visual of how it's going to go and what they'll need to get the job done once w/o having to run out for tools they don't have.

Like any good forum, it's all about sharing experience.

So yes, Elton, I will be getting some anti-seize on Monday and re-installing the plugs!

Nice write up!:thumb3: How old were those plugs? They look pretty ruff.

Pretty sure they're original (10 years / 148K miles), because the one side was NGK and the other side was Denso.

 

[jsmarine]

Great write up. And I'd say that its not that guys don't know how to change spark plugs, but really what to take off to get to them, especially if you have a "new to you" 4runner or any car for that matter. My girlfriend had a BMW and changing spark plugs on it was a real b****. You had to take off a lot in order to get to them, so a write would have been nice before I got started.

 

[johnny c]

Great write-up. Just the thing that people would be looking for when they decide to tackle it themself!!! We are all here to help and learn, and those who know it all had to ask at one point!!! You ever had to change plugs and wires on a venture/montana van?, or on a little jimmy/blazer? Dont insult the ones who don't know, because there are many things I'm sure you don't!!!

 

[4MUDDER]

ya im used to my old explorer where the spark plugs were right there, when i was doing this one i was like why did the box only come with three wires? and why cant i find the other three spark plugs!!!!!!!! thats the first thing i notciced so i called kragen and told me there under those black these, strange and odd place for them

 

[Yota_Tech87]

Great write up.

This is a good write up. Good info on how to do... I work at the shop and see many runners with 5z engine that come in with regular restistor plugs without dual ground with a misfire code or running ruff concern so I recommend oem plugs... should be like 1.99 each from your yota dealer. Ask me to get and send if you need... it is listed on your timing cover to only use these plugs for a reason. Only three wires with three coils is used cause its a waste spark ignition system... very simple and unique design. Just follow write up and use oem plugs and you all will not have problems.

 

[lmtdgov]

Changed plugs today. Very nice write up. Thank you.

 

[FoneRunner]

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h41.pdf

Look at page 5 for a discussion of the aforementioned "Waste Spark Ignition System"...I never knew why they called it that or how it worked, exactly. This little document from Toyota puts it in pretty simple terms. Enjoy!

 

[raydouble]

Another thing that works great for this is a 8" piece of 3/8" fuel line.

 

[zcruiser]

Another thing that works great for this is a 8" piece of 3/8" fuel line.

cool, cool.

I've been tweaking this set of instructions at
changing spark plugs on my 3rd gen? - YotaTech Forums

 

[01t4rnr]

single ground plugs i hear are not good

lots of writeups on that debate, duals last longer but both perform the same is the general concensus

 

[JohnsD90]

I bought six NGK BKR5EKB-11 plugs from Advance Auto for just under $26.

I just bought these at Advance Auto Parts for $15.34. thank you $10 off $25 coupon.

The coupon expires today but ill still post it.

 

[mitfan311]

So there are coil packs only on the passenger side? What is used on the driver side?