spark plug chg - anything I need to know about?

[jediwebdude]

My 4R just hit 99K miles. Going to change the spark plugs myself (Denso iridiums). Anything special I need to do besides the gapping?

Thanks,
-PJ

 

[bowhunter53]

you will need some special extensions and knuckles to get at the drivers side plug closest to the firewall. not sure of exact numbers, but I think used a 4" and a 12" + a knuckle to get in there.

Its not that bad, just take your time, you may get frustrated at first, but it works. Without the these tools its impossible.

 

[2UZ]

Use OEM Denso's and the originals are good until 120k.

Also, after replacement, don't expect anything to change(idle, mileage, etc etc) as they're incredibly long lasting premium plugs.

 

[superman3043]

It's been about 80K miles since I changed mine last but from what I remember it's pretty straight forward.

I did not use a knuckle, but a long extension is a must. I removed the air box to get at the passenger side one closest to the fire wall. I don't remember having any difficulty with the driver side though.

Anyway, just remember to plug all of your coils back in before firing it up....

 

[Atlanta_man]

You can eyeball the gap but do not touch with anything metal
They arrive new in the box gapped just right

 

[MikeInNH]

Every spark-plug for every vehicle I bought in the past 35+ years came pre-gapped. And 95% of the time the gap is perfect. But that other 5%...sometimes something happens in shipping or in QA and the gap is off enough to effect performance and mileage. So I ALWAYS check the gap.

 

[YotaDriver]

Don't forget to put anti-sieze on the threads and dielectric grease on the contact points.

 

[jimithing]

Don't forget to put anti-sieze on the threads and dielectric grease on the contact points.

I happen to do this (at least the anit-sieze) but you'll find some people say not to do this. They don't come with anti-sieze from the factory. I felt like I was going to break something when I was backing mine out and I didn't like the feeling so I put some anti-sieze on the new ones.

 

[jediwebdude]

Thanks all. I did get both the anti-seize grease pkt and die-electric grease pkt from O'Reilley Auto.

I also bought a metal gap tool, but it sounds like:

a) I won't need it since the plugs are supposedly pre-gapped
b) according to Atlanta_man, I should tough the metal gap tool to the plug

-PJ

 

[YotaDriver]

I happen to do this (at least the anit-sieze) but you'll find some people say not to do this. They don't come with anti-sieze from the factory. I felt like I was going to break something when I was backing mine out and I didn't like the feeling so I put some anti-sieze on the new ones.

The plugs I recently replaced took quite a bit of force to free them up, enough to bloody my knuckles a few times when they finally broke free. I've also read that it's more important to use anti-seize with aluminum engines.

 

[Atlanta_man]

on my recent (1st time for the 4runner) plug change they were not tight at all

one actually had enough blow by going on to change the color of the boot