Noob Spark Plug Question

[pchain]

Hi, I have an '03 V6 4WD Ltd with 180,000 easy hwy miles and it's still on the first original set of spark plugs. So....I was horrified to read that they should be changed every 30,000 miles??!! As a result, I have a few questions I'd like to ask, any help would be appreciated greatly! I haven't noticed any degradation in mileage or performance whatsoever but I'm thinking maybe I should do something:
1). Am I causing or have I caused any damage by never removing or cleaning or replacing them?
2). Do I really need iridium plugs or will copper do fine?
3). Should I replace the wire set?
4). Anything else I should consider?
Thanks for any advice you may have for a clueless noob like me! I'm a musician not a mechanic so I'm pretty lost with simple mechanical issues! lol

 

[awdjunkies]

:welcome: to T4R.ORG.. Here is a GREAT write up on the ins and outs (With illustrations & explanations) of a Spark Plug R&R on your 1GR-FE : How To: Spark Plug Change (1 GR-FE) - Tacoma World Forums

 

[oljedi11950]

^^ I would just for piece of mind & no on iridium plugs but they are better IMO. If so be careful removing the coilpack not plugwire like older gens , very easy to do ! Manual should say what plug .

 

[WillK]

Welcome!!!

I would be careful removing the plugs as they've been in there a long time and for a lot of miles. The engine and plugs have been through a lot of heat cycles and might be stubborn to get out.

As for other things, if you haven't done a whole tune-up, I would consider it-

plugs
wires
pcv
clean throttle body
clean MAF sensor
fuel filter
air filter

 

[lehiguy]

I wouldn't worry too much about the plug wires and the fuel filter. You don't have any of those things on your rig. Coil on plug, no wires. Evidently some engineer decided the "sock" in the fuel tank is all you need. Seems to work.

 

[bgibbs11]

Hi, I have an '03 V6 4WD Ltd with 180,000 easy hwy miles and it's still on the first original set of spark plugs. So....I was horrified to read that they should be changed every 30,000 miles??!! As a result, I have a few questions I'd like to ask, any help would be appreciated greatly! I haven't noticed any degradation in mileage or performance whatsoever but I'm thinking maybe I should do something:
1). Am I causing or have I caused any damage by never removing or cleaning or replacing them?
2). Do I really need iridium plugs or will copper do fine?
3). Should I replace the wire set?
4). Anything else I should consider?
Thanks for any advice you may have for a clueless noob like me! I'm a musician not a mechanic so I'm pretty lost with simple mechanical issues! lol

Just changed the plugs on my 04 V6 limited on monday. It's super easy (I'm an accountant, so certainly not a mechanic either). Got oem plugs from the dealer at a cost of about $17 total. This is what I used for a guide - How to change spark plugs - Toyota 4Runner 2006 - YouTube. I didnt use any dielectric grease (or whatever the hell its called)

When you do it, let me know if you notice if the plug in cylinder 6 (drivers side, closest to the cabin) is much darker than the others and/or damp... mine was and it seems like a few others have noticed that as well. Good luck!

 

[blakjack23]

Chalk me of for a dark and damp number 6 too. I put in Iridium just so I didn't have to change then for another 100k.

 

[Metalmantr]

Just changed the plugs on my 04 V6 limited on monday. It's super easy (I'm an accountant, so certainly not a mechanic either). Got oem plugs from the dealer at a cost of about $17 total. This is what I used for a guide - How to change spark plugs - Toyota 4Runner 2006 - YouTube. I didnt use any dielectric grease (or whatever the hell its called)

When you do it, let me know if you notice if the plug in cylinder 6 (drivers side, closest to the cabin) is much darker than the others and/or damp... mine was and it seems like a few others have noticed that as well. Good luck!

Good to know! I will be changing mine very soon as well and was planning on using this guide. I will let you know my findings.

 

[MikeInNH]

Make sure you do this with a cold engine. Those plugs have been in there a long time. If you do this when the engine is hot or even warm..you run the risk of damaging the threads in the head.

Stick with the standard copper plugs and replace them about every 30k-50k miles. Iridium plugs are NOT better. Iridium does NOT conduct electricity as well as copper. Why do you think every race car in the world uses copper plugs.

Iridium plugs are GREAT for lasting a very long time. They can easily last 100k miles. I use them on my wifes Lexus because those rear plugs are a royal pain to replace.

 

[Metalmantr]

Make sure you do this with a cold engine. Those plugs have been in there a long time. If you do this when the engine is hot or even warm..you run the risk of damaging the threads in the head.

Stick with the standard copper plugs and replace them about every 30k-50k miles. Iridium plugs are NOT better. Iridium does NOT conduct electricity as well as copper. Why do you think every race car in the world uses copper plugs.

Iridium plugs are GREAT for lasting a very long time. They can easily last 100k miles. I use them on my wifes Lexus because those rear plugs are a royal pain to replace.

Thanks for the insight on Iridium. I was about to go that route. Glad I read your post before spending the extra $.

 

[riceandpho]

take it to a mechanic for the plugs, if it breaks when they take it out, the have to replace the damages they cause. thats only if you are really worry about the plugs breaking during removal.

 

[jow]

Would a little penetrating oil (PB Blast) day in advance help break the “possible seal”?

 

[lehiguy]

I have never had any trouble getting a spark plug out. As has been said, do it on a cold engine, a hot cylinder head will be more reluctant to release its grip on the plug since it is hot and slightly expanded. It is also nice to not burn your hands as you work on it.

 

[WillK]

take it to a mechanic for the plugs, if it breaks when they take it out, the have to replace the damages they cause. thats only if you are really worry about the plugs breaking during removal.

You know, I would have to agree with this. Either those plugs are going to come right out without an issue, or they're going to be really hard to get out.
The problem is, you won't know which way it's going until it might be too late.

I think it might be worth the money to have someone else who's probably dealt with something like this before to sweat over which way it goes.
And honestly, I would take it to a Toyota mechanic.

As for the other things I posted, you can do all of those with ease and save you a ton of money and learn a little about your truck.

 

[pchain]

Thank you all for your advice! You all are great! Wasn't expecting so much feedback! I was concerned about removing the plugs since they were in there for so long so I took it to the dealership. There were platinum plugs in there originally so I thought it was a good idea to replace them with new platinum plugs. After I they were replaced there was a hissing sound and revving occuring at just over 1000rpm and in general it was idling very rough. I took it back the next day and asked them to check out the vacuum line and sure enough that was the culprit and all is well now. Except of course for a torn CV boot and a rear hatch that refuses to open! LOL. Again thank you all. I think I will tackle changing the spark plugs myself the next time for sure.