Changing spark plugs

I changed my spark plugs this morning, and while it went pretty well, I had a couple issues come up. The truck is a 2016 w/ 5.7 flex fuel, 115000 miles. This is the first plug change (a little late, I know). Looking for some of you techs and diy'ers input.

1. The plugs were pretty gunked up/corroded on the threads and took a decent amount of force to get out.
2. I think due to this corrosion, the new plugs were not easy to get in. Normally you read "finger tight and then 1/4-1/2 turn past or torque to 15ft-lbs". I was able to thread them in by hand enough to feel 100% confident they weren't cross threaded, but probably half the thread depth required a 3/8 ratchet to move. Minimal force required but definitely more than "finger tight". It was very clear when they were seated properly. Is this pretty normal for an older vehicle?

Thanks

 

They came out without breaking and you got them in without cross threading.

I’d call that normal and wouldn’t think another minute on it!

 

Looks and sounds normal to me. My last 4Runner had 220k on the original plugs when I changed them. Took me 2hrs to get one of them out it was so carboned up.

 

I’d recommend some anti-seize on the threads of the new ones when you install. Otherwise, sounds like you did it right!

Other than the left rear, this is an easy task. That one just takes a little thinking and two short extensions instead of one long one to work around the brake parts.


Some folks recommend replacing coil packs at the same time, but I don’t. They’re a part that either works or doesn’t. I’ll replace when they start to fail.

 

Thanks for the reassurance.

The job was wasn't bad, but it's a way bigger mess if I screw this up than changing a spark plug on some lawn equipment. I wasn't sure if I just had really weak fingers for "finger tight" or if that's just how it goes when the plugs go so long between changes. Could probably shave the job time in half now that I know how I need to contort myself to reach and what extensions to use to build the right reach and wrench position.