What is the easiest way i can change the spark plugs on my 3.slow?

I hate getting burned, or putting my hand in tight areas. changing the drivers side plugs are fine, but changing the passenger side plugs are a pain in the a**

 

Pull the charcoal cannister and a nice hole opens up that allows access to those back plugs with an extension or two.

The plugs will come out hard if they didn't use anti-seize on them. My Toy dealer doesn't use anti-seize on 3.0's. They told me to just oil the threads a little before putting them in.

Use a 1/4" gas line to slip over the top of the plug for installation. It will give you just the right feel to keep from stripping the threads. I think this was Bobs 98SR5's suggestion and it works wonderfully.

Many of the guys use a torque wrench to put the plugs in to factory specs, especially after they've had a plug loosen up and pop out over time.

 

I dont know why but mine really aren't that bad to access anymore....try to move your right hand down btwn the passenger head and under all the vacuum lines and only put enough extension on the ratchet so that your right hand does all the work.

Also do not try to pull your plugs if they are even remotely warm unless you like broken plugs in the head! I made the mistake of doing this one time only... The biggest tip I can give ya is to just be extremely patient on pulling the plugs. Typically it takes me about 30-45 min just to pull all 6.

 

On the Driver side, I take off the intake hardware. On the pass. side, I use a sparkplug wrench with a "U" joint. I'm going to try the 1/4" hose and removing the charcol cannister, next time. Can't tell you how many times I've lost a plug trying to get it in the 5 hole. I KNOW I have a new one sitting under the exhaust manifold right now. I can't reach it, and it hasn't bounced itself out yet and it's been there for a year now.

 

Yeah, exercise patience the first time you pull/install the plugs. And I agree, use a short length 1/4" heater hose to thread the plugs back in, otherwise you may run the risk of cross threading the plugs. I torque all my plugs to spec. And make sure your engine is cool enough to work on without getting burned.

The first time, it took about an hour to do. I can now do all 6 plugs in about 15 minutes with different lengths of socket extensions.

Troy

 

3 easy plugs = 5 minutes total (out & in). 3 harder plugs = 5 minutes each (minimum). Be patient, use whatever tricks work for you, but get them in straight. Aluminum heads strip easily.