Spark Plugs

I

indy500

New member
Ok i had a weak moment...Called the dealership to have a few PM things done to my 04...Tranny flush and fill, 4wd flush and fill...

I am nearing 90k so i thought i should change the plugs also...so I asked how much, just labor, I already bought the parts...they told me $90...amazing...So i did it myself last night...35 min start to finish...
 
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I've changed '04 and '07 4runner spark plugs on a Saturday afternoon for my family for a Venti Ice Tea:tongue:. I learned the "how to" on this 4th Gen T4R thread.
 
indy500 said:
Ok i had a weak moment...Called the dealership to have a few PM things done to my 04...Tranny flush and fill, 4wd flush and fill...

I am nearing 90k so i thought i should change the plugs also...so I asked how much, just labor, I already bought the parts...they told me $90...amazing...So i did it myself last night...35 min start to finish...
Click to expand...

I bought my V6 4runner with 37,000 miles and just did the spark plug replacement last weekend. It was a snap, the only trick is getting the coil wires off (used a small flathead screwdriver). The truck now has a little over 40,000 and while the plugs looked ok (they were a light brown), they were a bit tough to loosen. I bought Denso plugs from the dealer for about 25$. Oddly, my truck came with 5 Denso and 1 NGK. Strange but I've read that Toyota had different manufacturer's plugs for the same motor.
 
These 4runners V6's are some of the easiest vehicles to change plugs on.

On a side note, my 4runner came with 3 Densos and 3 NGK.
 
Actually for the V6 each side is different as far as factory plugs. One side is DENSO and the other is another version. They do this (I believe) as part of the computer emission balancing. When I replaced them I went with all iridium and they last about 45K miles
 
indy500 said:
Ok i had a weak moment...Called the dealership to have a few PM things done to my 04...Tranny flush and fill, 4wd flush and fill...

I am nearing 90k so i thought i should change the plugs also...so I asked how much, just labor, I already bought the parts...they told me $90...amazing...So i did it myself last night...35 min start to finish...
Click to expand...

I was told by my dealer when I asked about trans flush on my 04 that it was a sealed trans and you can't service it?
 
I had NGK on one side and DENSO on the other. I bought mine cerified pre-owned and thoguht that they got lazy and didn't change the hard side i was so PISSED! I never heard of using 2 different types of spark plugs because of emissions. any other info would be great :)

you can service and flush a sealed tranny. the dealer told me that they have a special computer and series of certain steps they have to do. sounds $$$ at the dealer. I flushed it myself and I'm happy. I'm sure they is a DIY somewhere but it's all pretty simple.
 
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LB4Runner05 said:
Actually for the V6 each side is different as far as factory plugs. One side is DENSO and the other is another version. They do this (I believe) as part of the computer emission balancing. When I replaced them I went with all iridium and they last about 45K miles
Click to expand...

OK thanks, there were three NGKs and three Densos, here's a picture of them:
IMG_24441.jpg
~original[/IMG]
 
rwilliams said:
I had NGK on one side and DENSO on the other. I bought mine cerified pre-owned and thoguht that they got lazy and didn't change the hard side i was so PISSED! I never heard of using 2 different types of spark plugs because of emissions. any other info would be great :)

you can service and flush a sealed tranny. the dealer told me that they have a special computer and series of certain steps they have to do. sounds $$$ at the dealer. I flushed it myself and I'm happy. I'm sure they is a DIY somewhere but it's all pretty simple.
Click to expand...

I had heard that there was codes and what not to put in to open valves and stuff in the trans. I had also read that some people tried to drop the trans pan and only like a quart came out. I got my plugs from the dealer they told me there would be 2 differeant plugs and it was no big deal to just put 6 denso's in it. I have to say it ran much better after that I changed mine at 67k mine was easy to change to since I had a cold air intake not blocking my way lol
 
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hamiltonj2w1 said:
I had heard that there was codes and what not to put in to open valves and stuff in the trans. I had also read that some people tried to drop the trans pan and only like a quart came out. I got my plugs from the dealer they told me there would be 2 differeant plugs and it was no big deal to just put 6 denso's in it. I have to say it ran much better after that I changed mine at 67k mine was easy to change to since I had a cold air intake not blocking my way lol
Click to expand...
Yeah you have to made sure it's at this temp. then measure the level of the fluid though the bottom plug. IDK i just replaced what I took out, i don't think you'll have a problem.
 
LB4Runner05 said:
Actually for the V6 each side is different as far as factory plugs. One side is DENSO and the other is another version. They do this (I believe) as part of the computer emission balancing. When I replaced them I went with all iridium and they last about 45K miles
Click to expand...

I am about to change my plugs and bought the Iridium SK20HR11s. You mention 45K miles, where did you get that number. On the Denso FAQ they say "DENSO advises replacement after 30,000 miles."

These Densos fit in a 5/8" spark plug socket, do the OEMs use that same socket?

Did you use dielectric grease on the threads? The Denso website says to use 1/2 the torque value, which I assume means use 6.5 ft/lbs on the wrench vs. the 13 ft/lb spec?

Bob
 
AE1M said:
I am about to change my plugs and bought the Iridium SK20HR11s. You mention 45K miles, where did you get that number. On the Denso FAQ they say "DENSO advises replacement after 30,000 miles."

These Densos fit in a 5/8" spark plug socket, do the OEMs use that same socket?

Did you use dielectric grease on the threads? The Denso website says to use 1/2 the torque value, which I assume means use 6.5 ft/lbs on the wrench vs. the 13 ft/lb spec?

Bob
Click to expand...
The grease is simply to help getting them out next time, honestly what would be the benefit? You don't have to seriously torque them to a certain degree either, just as tight as you can without using your body. 25% of your strength is fine. And yes all would fit the 5/8'ths SP Socket.
 
AE1M said:
I am about to change my plugs and bought the Iridium SK20HR11s. You mention 45K miles, where did you get that number. On the Denso FAQ they say "DENSO advises replacement after 30,000 miles."

These Densos fit in a 5/8" spark plug socket, do the OEMs use that same socket?

Did you use dielectric grease on the threads? The Denso website says to use 1/2 the torque value, which I assume means use 6.5 ft/lbs on the wrench vs. the 13 ft/lb spec?

Bob
Click to expand...

The dealer also recommends 30K as well but after having a conversation with some of the techs at the dealer ship they suggest 40-45K on the original dealer plugs. I read on the post that the Iridium will last up to100K but I'm not to cool with that so I go with the 45-50K. The socket is deep, I had to use two extensions and I actually ducked taped them so they wouldn't slip no matter what. I changed my plugs a few weeks ago and after about 48K they looked like they were ready to change. I would use the grease on the plug so they don't cease in the socket and be careful putting them in so they are seated correctly. Be gentle with the wiring pack. Mine is still in tact, not sure how much longer. The denso are a good plug and I have used them twice already and got 50K out of them with little signs of wear.
 
AE1M said:
I am about to change my plugs and bought the Iridium SK20HR11s. You mention 45K miles, where did you get that number. On the Denso FAQ they say "DENSO advises replacement after 30,000 miles."

These Densos fit in a 5/8" spark plug socket, do the OEMs use that same socket?

Did you use dielectric grease on the threads? I would only use dielectric grease on the boot that goes on the spark plug from the coil pack. For the threads I would use a hi-temp anti-seize compound. Use only a little and don't get any on the tip of the spark plug.The Denso website says to use 1/2 the torque value, which I assume means use 6.5 ft/lbs on the wrench vs. the 13 ft/lb spec? I would use what the toyota spec says. Being that the heads are aluminum I would be more afraid of stripping the threads in the head than messing up a spark plug due to over tightening. I believe that the toyota spec is 15lb/ft for the spark plugs and 7 for the coil pack to the valve cover. Even so, between 15 and 7.5 isn't much so I would stick to the spec. I also wouldn't rely on my body to "guess" at the torque value. Get a torque wrench.

Bob
Click to expand...

Besides it gives us an excuse to buy more tools.:bluejump:
 
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