mcrowley

Not sure how to explain this one so please bear with me. See pic.
I was changing plugs and wires on a 99 4runner with 5VZFE. 5 of the old plugs were Densos and one was a Mighty GRP32 with what looks like a threaded sleeve around it. It may not be obvious from the pics but oddball plug was definitely a larger diameter. I'm not sure how to get the sleeve off without damaging the threads, or If I should just try to buy a plug with the right specs that will fit.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

mic

take to a machine shop and get a helicoil installed properly

BFH

Get a new head or that is going to happen every time you change the plugs

mcrowley

Thanks for the response. I did some searching and found http://www.timesert.com/html/sparkplug.html It looks like something like this was used. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing in Toyota's.

mcrowley

After some more searching, it looks like it may be a timesert (sp?). Does anyone have any direct experience these?
Thanks,

spokane.yota.man

i use to work at an auto parts store and there were kits we sold that had a tap and the sleeve that looks like is on the top plug. it's like a poor mans helicoil. if that plug came out easily and felt like the threads were good then i would think putting in a new plug with another threaded sleeve would be ok. if your head is already in need of professional work to correct then you have nothing to lose by trying it. just don't force the new plug in and make it worse. try to find that kit with threaded sleeves and give it a shot.

xxxtreme22r

if you stick a new sleeve in there, make sure you use red locktite on it, and then anti-seize on the spark plug threads. The P.O. probably never used anything.

spokane.yota.man

Good call. the sleeve should stay when the plug is removed.

mcrowley

Thanks for the replies,
The oddball plug held for long enough to wear a set of plugs out, and I've driven it a few days since putting it back in, so the right sleeve will probably work. I'll post final results when I get the replacement sleeve.

Thanks for the red locktite suggestion.

J2F42C

Which cylinder was it? I'd guess #6.

I was always told in changing plugs never to do it on a warm/hot engine or the chances of crossthreading a plug increase greatly.

+1 on the machine shop for the helicoil.

xxxtreme22r

I wouldn't helicoil something that may got in an out frequently like spark plugs. Timing chain cover bolt, cam journal, t-stat housing yeah but not a spark plug hole.