Spark Plug Replacement for V6-Stealership or DIY?

[Kentucky]

would someone please post pics and show me how ti change the spark plugs? I am confused how to take out the plugs after pulling out the coils. What do i need to pull out the spark plugs? a demo of pics would be helpful. Is there need to get expensive Iridium plugs? thank you!

My Craftsman tool set has a spark plug socket in it. It's pretty much a deep dish socket that has a rubber sleeve in the inside to grasp the top part of the spark plug once it's unthreaded, pulls right out. Sears or any auto parts store should have one. Or you can also use some fuel line hose as others have sugested to slide down over the top of the plug once it's unthreaded and then remove it. The spark plug socket is stupid easy to use though, I recommend it over the hose.

I used the same Denso's that Toyota installed from the factory when I changed mine out a few evenings ago. I got them for $3.24 a piece from a local dealership. I don't personally believe that the expensive ones make a difference outside of lifespan. Took all of a hour and that included taking a couple of incoming phone calls.

 

[JIMXEOD]

It is a pretty straightforward task, if you have basic knowledge of hand tools. Took me about 35 minutes. I took the Engine cover, air cleaner & hose off, as well as the bracket and two hoses on the drivers side. This was not needed, but made it much quicker and easier.
I used the factory Denso's, nothing special. The stock plugs (NGK & Denso mixed) looked OK after 33K miles, so these should go another 30.

I do have a comment as a side note. I see a lot of mention of "stealer" and "stealership" on this and other forums. Dealers charge for labor, that is a fact of life. If someone is not comfortable doing their own maintenance or repairs, then pay someone to do it. Why whine about the cost? Either do it yourself, take it to an independent shop, or a factory authorized facility. It is not stealing if you are quoted a price up front! Either do it or don't. It's pretty simple. I have been quoted prices for service, and decided I have the time to do it myself. Plus I enjoy doing most maintenance myself. Some things I have them do, like brakes. I can do it, it's pretty simple. I just don't want to do that job myself, as I dont want to be pulling wheels and tires in my driveway. I have better things to do. So I pay for that type of repair on occasion. After owning several BMW's and seeing their labor and part charges, Toyota owners have little to complain about as far as cost!

Businesses have a right to charge for their service. If you think it is too high, you have a right to say no. Seems pretty simple to me. Just my .02.

 

[Jacobzky]

For V6

would someone please post pics and show me how ti change the spark plugs? I am confused how to take out the plugs after pulling out the coils. What do i need to pull out the spark plugs? a demo of pics would be helpful. Is there need to get expensive Iridium plugs? thank you!

posted somewhere around here
How To: Spark Plug Change (1 GR-FE) - Tacoma World Forums

 

[Worlok]

It is a pretty straightforward task, if you have basic knowledge of hand tools. Took me about 35 minutes. I took the Engine cover, air cleaner & hose off, as well as the bracket and two hoses on the drivers side. This was not needed, but made it much quicker and easier.
I used the factory Denso's, nothing special. The stock plugs (NGK & Denso mixed) looked OK after 33K miles, so these should go another 30.

I do have a comment as a side note. I see a lot of mention of "stealer" and "stealership" on this and other forums. Dealers charge for labor, that is a fact of life. If someone is not comfortable doing their own maintenance or repairs, then pay someone to do it. Why whine about the cost? Either do it yourself, take it to an independent shop, or a factory authorized facility. It is not stealing if you are quoted a price up front! Either do it or don't. It's pretty simple. I have been quoted prices for service, and decided I have the time to do it myself. Plus I enjoy doing most maintenance myself. Some things I have them do, like brakes. I can do it, it's pretty simple. I just don't want to do that job myself, as I dont want to be pulling wheels and tires in my driveway. I have better things to do. So I pay for that type of repair on occasion. After owning several BMW's and seeing their labor and part charges, Toyota owners have little to complain about as far as cost!

Businesses have a right to charge for their service. If you think it is too high, you have a right to say no. Seems pretty simple to me. Just my .02.

Well I dont call them stealerships because they cannot do work for nothing. But I did get a quote for 120 dollars on a seprpentine belt for my Tundra. And that does not include install! I don't know what a belt would cost for my 4Runner but it would have been at least 80 dollars. They also quoted 380 dollars for a transmission flush. It just reminds me of why I do almost all of my own repairs and maintenance.

 

[ggunn9]

How To: Spark Plug Change (1 GR-FE) - Tacoma World Forums

I just changed my plugs today on my 04 V6 SR5 2wd. It took me about 40 mins. I have the half Denso and NGK thing going on. I wonder if they were the original plugs. The 4rnr has 90k on it and I got it at about 62k. I have not driven it yet with the new plugs.

The olds looked bad.

The link above it a very good detailed how to for plug change. Although I didn't have to remove all the stuff he did.

 

[Uneek]

I wonder if they were the original plugs. The 4rnr has 90k on it and I got it at about 62k.

They are... for some reason the 1GR comes with three NGK and three Denso plugs.

I wonder if they ever changed the plugs. The V6 comes with regular plugs and calls for replacement at 30k miles. Most just go with one brand and replace all six, rather than three and three again.

BTW, which plugs "looked" better? I remember that one brand comes out looking cleaner and the electrode is less worn than the other. Post pics of each brand if you can. Thank you.

 

[ggunn9]

They are... for some reason the 1GR comes with three NGK and three Denso plugs.

I wonder if they ever changed the plugs. The V6 comes with regular plugs and calls for replacement at 30k miles. Most just go with one brand and replace all six, rather than three and three again.

BTW, which plugs "looked" better? I remember that one brand comes out looking cleaner and the electrode is less worn than the other. Post pics of each brand if you can. Thank you.

Here is a pic of my plugs.

 

[05 4runner]

Do I want the NGK's or the Denso k20hr-u11's that are posted above for my 2005 v6 4runner?

Thanks
Judd

 

[Border411]

I just went with NGK Laser Iridium plugs that should last for a lot longer than the Denso that I kept getting from the dealership. Advance Auto Parts had them for $10 with 10% off if bought online (but you can pick them up at your store). I can whole-heartedly say that my engine has never run so smooth. The last set must have been messed up somehow as the engine ran a little rough. I took them out, checked the gap AGAIN, and reinstalled and still couldnt get the engine to smooth out. The part number was NGk #4904.

 

[dullpain]

I just changed my plugs today on my 04 V6 SR5 2wd. It took me about 40 mins. I have the half Denso and NGK thing going on. I wonder if they were the original plugs.


Just wonder if Toyota is spreading the wealth to their suppliers ?? Can think of no plausible technical reason for having 3 Denso's & 3 NGK's ! Maybe a test on Toyota's part ?? Techs at dealership replace plugs and report back to Toyota which is superior plug??

What years and models did they do the 3&3 plug deal ?

 

[TheDurk]

Popular mythology has it that each head was built in a different factory and each factory had their own supplier for plugs. For 4Runners, it has been going on since the beginning of the 5VZ-FE V6, I believe.

Since 30K, I have used all NGK and changed every 30-35K. They always look like they can go longer. I use NGK because NAPA has them and the NAPA store is 2 miles away. If NAPA had only Denso, I'd use those.

 

[aaronfro17]

This is absolutely a DIY job; I've had more trouble changing plugs in lawn mowers! With the TRD Cold Air Kit installed, the factory airbox is removed so the access to the passenger side plugs is great. The driver side is not much worse, just remove the bracket connecting the block and the intake and disconnect the hose just below it, and you're in business. I finished the change up in just over an hour. Just be sure you have at least a 10" 3/8 extension (I used a 10" and a 6" on the drivers side) and a magnetic spark plug socket helps too.

 

[Dungeroo]

D.I.Y. all the way......oh and once you DIY...you never go back.

My .02 on the plugs is : about every 30,000 or so, use the pre-gapped Denso plugs from the dealership, give yourself 1 hour to do it slowly but correctly the first time, use the links provided in this forum for pics if you need,...and finally...get ready for all of the other DIY's you will feel confident enough to do after you accomplish this "easy" task.....

 

[morphius909]

I can't believe I started this thread about a year ago and I'm getting ready to do ANOTHER plug change out in the next couple of months.

 

[Inbloom]

So what did you end up using Denso or NGK'S? I changed my plug's at 37k and they looked bad i can't believe that some people think it is ok to go 40 or up to 60 or 90k wow!!!! I went NGK'S all the way and they are sweet, My engine feels much smoother!!! Also the milage seems slightly better! I got mine at Autozone because it seems like that is all we have in Colorado !!! Got them for around 7$$ each.... Talking to some guy at the other Autozone he recommended "Pulstar" plugs, I think they go for around 22$$ a pair !!! Might try them next time !!

 

[05 4runner]

Pulstar = gimiick = not needed = bs

...don't listen to every one at the Auto Store. Just b/c they work there doesn't mean they know a damn thing. If your looking for incredible hp and mpg gains get a sticker or better yet a tornado - hahaha Let the employee "think" his Honduh civic is killin it yo......So Gay


stick with the NGK's.

 

[Darklight]

I just replaced my spark plugs for the first time with 27,500 on the ODO. I never did this B-4 but i was sure i could do it myself and save a little money like $90.00 for the labor. It took me an hour and a half. I used Denso TT Titanium plugs from Advansed Auto Parts $2.99 each X 6 spark plugs. I gapped them to .43 (the old ones where gapped too that as well).
I gapped all plugs after removing the first plug. I started on the passenger side furthest away from the front of the vehicle. I worked my way down that side and moved to the drivers side and did the same.
I removed a couple of hoses and the bracket to get to the drivers side plugs.The only thing i ran in to was getting the wire connector clip off of the drivers side closest to the front. It was my last one too. I could just barely get to it and their was no room for it to wiggle out. After trying for about ten minutes and saying a little prayer it wiggled free leaving me able to pull out the plug coil and access the spark plug. Oh, and the spark plug remover i had (deep socket with rubber at the base) would not hold on to the old spark plugs.
Next time i will have a pair of long needle nose pliers to be able to pull the lose spark plugs out and to reach the closest drivers side wire connector this would of saved me about 45 minutes. Thanks to the right ups on here it gave me the peace of mind to find the time and do it myself. With the right tools you can get the job done properly and save on labor as well. I look forward to doing it again in another 30,000 miles.:bluejump:

 

[disccop75]

I'm with ya!! I did it myself this morning in an hour. First time changing plugs. I'm so glad I didn't have to pay the stealership!!

 

[Marky Mark]

I got a quote from the Toyota Dealer (HI) for replacing spark plugs only $160 definatly I will take it there. Every 60,000mi. right.

 

[morphius909]

You don't want to do it yourself?

If you invest in a torque wrench and some extensions, within two changes you'll have saved cash. Actually:

Plugs 30 bucks
torque wrench: 60 bucks
other parts: 15 bucks

So for 105 bucks you can do your plugs.

Next time, you'll only have t worry about the 30 bucks for the plugs.