Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
- Toyota Tacoma How to Replace Spark Plugs and Wires<br>Step by step intructions for do-it-yourself repairs.
Changing Spark Plugs on 1998 V6 Tacoma
#1
Changing Spark Plugs on 1998 V6 Tacoma
I've changed plugs in a lotta vehicles but never in a 1998 V6 Tacoma. Is there anything I need to know before I start? Any tool that will make things easier? Any problems accessing the plugs? Which plug removal socket will I need to buy?
Any gotchas???
Any gotchas???
#2
Contributing Member
need some long extensions a metric socket set anti seize dielectric grease some screw drivers to remove the intake maybe clean the throttle body while you got it tore apart i found it best to use a sparkplug socket to remove the plugs then use it to get a few turns on the new plugs then remove it and switch it over to a deep metric socket also only use factory denso plugs or ngks
Last edited by Elton; 06-03-2007 at 09:08 PM.
#3
Contributing Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On the 5VZ the plugs are like 6 inches down so an 8 inch piece or so of 1/4 inch tubing/fuel line will help. Put the plug on the line and spin it in that way to ensure you dont crossthread since you cant put them in by hand. Once the tubing starts slipping throw the socket on and tighten up.
Oh and taping the socket or wedging a little piece of cardboard between the socket and extension sidewalls will ensure you dont lose the socket down in the hole
Oh and taping the socket or wedging a little piece of cardboard between the socket and extension sidewalls will ensure you dont lose the socket down in the hole
#4
Contributing Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
put duct tape inside the socket unless you have a spark plug socket to hold the plug in the socket or else you will never be able to get them out. Change the tape each time if it gets damaged (it will). You don't want to loose the tape in your engine.
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Goldsboro, NC
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Everything the above posts have stated. If you want to maintain the factory plug setup, use Denso's on the driver's side and NGK's on the passenger side. Don't know why it was setup this way, and I don't believe it's a performance issue more than it is a production issue. Or, go with NKG's all the way around. For some reason the Denso's seem to wear faster. Good luck.
#6
Contributing Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Chicago (area) IL
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
everyone had good advice
You probably allready know this but always stick with the denso or NGK duel electrodes, as it requires "duels" and it says so right on the engine.
Exactly as stated by everyone else, the only thing that I would do extra besides the anti sieze and rubber hose tip (a real great tip to not "cross thread")
is when you have the coil pacls off of the car before the old plugs are removed. clean the outside of the rubber plug extension with a damp towel and then Blast each plug tunnel with Compressed air for at least ten seconds each (or vacuum). Any debris that falls into engine through the spark plug chamber can score the heck out of your cylinder walls.
Also take care not to over torque (strip) or under torque the plugs. Tighten just enough to where you feel the metal plug washer initially crush and form its seal (and then give it a slight 1/8 to 1/4 turn after that).
You probably allready know this but always stick with the denso or NGK duel electrodes, as it requires "duels" and it says so right on the engine.
Exactly as stated by everyone else, the only thing that I would do extra besides the anti sieze and rubber hose tip (a real great tip to not "cross thread")
is when you have the coil pacls off of the car before the old plugs are removed. clean the outside of the rubber plug extension with a damp towel and then Blast each plug tunnel with Compressed air for at least ten seconds each (or vacuum). Any debris that falls into engine through the spark plug chamber can score the heck out of your cylinder walls.
Also take care not to over torque (strip) or under torque the plugs. Tighten just enough to where you feel the metal plug washer initially crush and form its seal (and then give it a slight 1/8 to 1/4 turn after that).
Last edited by icerunner; 06-05-2007 at 04:12 AM.
#7
http://www.4runners.org/writeups/sparkplugs/index.html
I used a 5/8" spark plug socket though technically I think the spark plugs are actually a metric size (16mm?). Some of the plugs are harder to get to than others. I ended up using various combinations of extensions depending on what was needed.
I used a 5/8" spark plug socket though technically I think the spark plugs are actually a metric size (16mm?). Some of the plugs are harder to get to than others. I ended up using various combinations of extensions depending on what was needed.
Trending Topics
#8
An often overlooked must-have for spark plug changes is a wire feeler-type gapper. You CANNOT use the old-school gappers on these plugs. You have to do this very carefully too. It's tedious, but it must be done because even "pre-gapped" plugs from the dealer can be off.
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Goldsboro, NC
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
An often overlooked must-have for spark plug changes is a wire feeler-type gapper. You CANNOT use the old-school gappers on these plugs. You have to do this very carefully too. It's tedious, but it must be done because even "pre-gapped" plugs from the dealer can be off.
#10
Registered User
I think he's saying to double check the pre-gap on the new plugs. A couple out of the six may be off some. And what ever you do, don't use Bosch Platnium plugs.
#11
#12
Contributing Member
I highly agree... I've caught myself quite a few times when changing spark plugs at work. 90% of the times they are right, but the other 20% is why I'm glad I've checked before I have one pissed off customer.
#14
Contributing Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Chicago (area) IL
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Go slow and go 1 plug (and plug pack) at a time.... trust me
as these plugs are not the most accessable and be prepaird to take some components off (air duct for air cleaner ect... )on the left and right side banks of the engine.
HEY, while you have the air intake assembly you can also clean the throttle body at the same time!
Believe it or not, even though this is fairly strait foward there is potential to break things or mess things up and therfore i would consider this a semi "moderate" job that took me about 90 minutes total both times that i've done it, and you be suprised how involved it is to carfully replace 6 plugs on a 3G runner. And I forgot to attach one of the plug packs and my SR5 started immediatly and died with a registered error code. I reattached the wire plug for the plug pack and reset the computer and good to go.
good luck and god speed
as these plugs are not the most accessable and be prepaird to take some components off (air duct for air cleaner ect... )on the left and right side banks of the engine.
HEY, while you have the air intake assembly you can also clean the throttle body at the same time!
Believe it or not, even though this is fairly strait foward there is potential to break things or mess things up and therfore i would consider this a semi "moderate" job that took me about 90 minutes total both times that i've done it, and you be suprised how involved it is to carfully replace 6 plugs on a 3G runner. And I forgot to attach one of the plug packs and my SR5 started immediatly and died with a registered error code. I reattached the wire plug for the plug pack and reset the computer and good to go.
good luck and god speed
Last edited by icerunner; 06-20-2007 at 06:19 AM.
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Auburn,Al
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
good advice above. all i can ad is to let the engine cooldown before you start. a) so you don't burn your hands, b) you could strip out a plug hole if the engine is really hot.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nvwiggins
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
13
06-16-2016 03:05 PM
Sam hain
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
19
09-30-2015 08:25 AM
TJWilly
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
6
07-31-2015 02:05 PM