How hard is it to change the plugs on the 3.0L V6?

 

Well, if changing the frickin' wires are any indication, I am tempted to pay someone to do it for me.

I had a no-start and figured I'd go with just the wires. Got 33% of them in before I gave up. Finishing the wires and doing the plugs is on my list of things to do before my next run, but that #6 plug is gonna be a beeeyotch to get.

 

I hope you have small hands and alot of patience...

 

It was a little bit of a pain, but it didn't go too bad for me. Some ratchet extensions and u joint type attachments helps. Good luck.

 

I agree. 1st 3 plugs - 10 minutes total. Last 3 - up to 10 minutes each depending on how far removed from the chimp family your hands are.

 

I've done mine a few times now. I'd say my hands are fairly small so that makes it easier. It's actually the #5 plug thats a PITA. When you do it, make sure that you have a flashlight. You can barely see in there to look at it. When removing/installing that plug, you have to do it all by feel. Don't force the plug to thread in, that will cause a major problem. I always use anti-seize and spray the hole and the threads of the plug with a little WD40 before reinstalling. It just makes everything go back together easier.

Also if you drop the plug it will appear to have disappeared. Just look a little more and you will find it. I don't remember exactly where it was though.

Once you do it one time it isn't too bad.

That's my $.02

 

I don't have the diagram in front of me -- that's the passenger side rear one? Yeah, as I viz the engine compartment I can see how either of the back ones, 5 or 6, are a pain.

Guess I should suck it up soon and get it done.
:chicken:

 

hmm...sounds like fun, I guess I'll go ahead and do it.. one of these days

 

When I dropped mine it wedged it's self betweent the exhaust manifold and the engine. Luckily it was the old one I had dropped but I still had to wait for the engine to cool before I could get it. I could only touch it with two fingers from underneath. I gets easier the more times you do it though.

 

It's a PITA, but I did it cap, rotor, plugs and wires in less than an hour or so with a combination of (3/8") 2-3" extensions, 1-6" extension, and a universal swivel adapter (in different combinations for each plug!). I also used anti-seize on the threads, and dielectric grease on the boots (to allow future removal without the boots being baked on), and torqued them to ~15 ft lbs, I think.

I used all OEM stuff. I gave up on aftermarket plug wires, because it seems they're never the right length. With Toyota wires, they come in a bag already clipped into brand new looms and wire holders, so it looks factory when you're done. (Jay Marks Toyota was my best price)

 

One U-joint and possibly some wobble extensions. The rear most plug on the passenger side is the worst one to change but the others are much easier. Do one plug at a time and don't rush it. The driver's side goes MUCH faster.

 

What plugs do you reccomend to replace the stock ones? I was told on most japanese motors to just use nippon denso plugs and to stay away from bosch platinums. I had a nissan v6 I tried platinums no real difference between the stock plugs at all.

 

Stick with Stock. Get a quote from our Toyota parts guy...

IMHO, I recommend OEM plugs, wires, and cap & rotor. Getting them on the net, the prices aren't too awful much over aftermarket, except for the wires, but it's worth it.

 

I would agree with most of the posts. Changing the plugs is not too hard compared to other things. I would stick with the standard plugs from the dealer. I tried a set of the Bosch platinum plugs and my truck did not run well. I don't know if I got a bad plug or what the problem was but putting in a set of Nippon Denso plugs improved things dramatically. I would use some anti seize compound on the threads and some dielectric (spelling?) grease on the plug wire boots. If I recall correctly the hardest part the first time was just getting the boots to release from a couple of the plugs.

 

it's not too bad if you have some good extensions. i swaped mine for some bosch 2 prong. i swaped wires too that was a little bit of a pain.

 

Take off your watch and any other wrist jewelry you might normally wear. If you have hairy arms, shaving might be a good idea, followed by a coating of WD-40 up to your elbows. If you are willings to sort of crawl up onto your engine and lay across it, it might help with some of those impossible angles.

Like someone said above, patience is the key here. Do not try to rush this thing, give yourself at least a couple hours. Do not try to force the boots off the plugs, just twist them back and forth a little bit, over and over, until they break free. When the boot finally releases it will be really obvious, then you can pull straight off.

A short handled ratchet, maybe one with a bent handle, would probably be really handy for this. DO NOT force the new plugs into the holes! Just be very, very patient and let it find its own way into the threads. If you start to get frustrated, just walk away, have a nice cup of coffee and relax for a bit, then come back to it. It might be a good idea to start with the hardest one first, to get it out fo the way.

By the way, y'all, how would I test to see if the cap and rotor are still performing as they are supposed to? I guess with 80k (and a lot of mud and water) on them I should just change them out anyway.

 

I did mine a few weeks ago. Really wasn't that bad. I used a 3/8 drive rachet and 2 6" extensions. I went ahead and took the intake tube off before I did the driver's side. It only took about 5 minutes to take the tube off and it made the job a lot easier. Other than that, I'd say that the farthest one back on the pass. side is the hardest too.

I would get those performance spark plugs from Toyota (I want to say Denso, but I think I'm thinking about Nissan--I can't remember what the Toyota performance ones are called )

Well, have fun.
DH6twinotter

 

I am using some NGK V-groove plugs anyone had any problems with those?

 

I usually have to lean my back against the fender to get at the right angle to get to the 5

 

I run those too. I didn't notice any power improvements over my old plugs but the truck starts easier and my gas mileage is way up. I'm getting about 30 miles more at 1/2 tank than before. I'll see how much my total gas mileage changes at the next fillup but it looks like 2 MPG more.