Spark plug change, how difficult?

Sarcasm also starts with S. Look it up.

 

Typically, it is also recommended to remove the heads and inspect for any sludge or tools left behind by Toyota when the engine was manufactured at 250 miles.

 

YES!!

This guy gets it.

 

I think this wont be an issue for most here; they’ll trade/sell before due.

 

Think you need to look for stuff missing or loose too. Toyota wont acknoledge an issue there either.

 

Additionally drop the oil pan and windage tray to inspect rod bearings. They’re supposed to be changed every 20,000 miles.

 

Can’t joke about that kind of thing with 3rd gens.

 

And now we’re onto knock knock jokes.

 

Peek-a-boo next.

 

If you say so.

 

This was actually a good thread, and I was looking forward to finding more about spark plugs replacement.

 

the trick to changing plugs on my moms '98 z/28 was a 3/4" holesaw in the fenderwell. And headers.

 

Clearly that owner waited until 21,000 miles to perform rod bearing inspections.

Ka-Booooooom! No engine for you!

 

Hole saw is a great idea but I don't think that would have helped on #2 on the LT1. Couldn't see it. Couldn't touch it with a finger. Had to do it 100% blind and by feel and experiment with all sorts of tool combinations to try to get something on it in the teeny tiny space. Then turn it maybe 1 click at a time. And restarting the new plug? Arrrrrgh. Just horrible. And the plug wires on that car?? I swapped out the cam and had the entire top and front of the motor disassembled and STILL couldn't see how to do the plug wires in a reasonable time. So, they stayed.

When I went to do my Tacoma for the first time, it was like, really? Is this all there is to it? Good thing, too, because Toyota specced copper plugs with 30k interval. Mine got 4 changes before I sold it. And all 4 full plug changes took about the same total time as doing that LT1 #2 plug once.

 

Jeez.................Loueez.

How about a pitcher of a gen 2.5?

 

Anyone here done plugs yet?

I'm about to, and just checked local availability.
Denso plugs are only available @ the dealership - $28each!
NGKs at Autozone and Napa - $25 each.
Both Denso and NGKs on RockAuto - $13 and change each.

Yeah...........I can wait a couple of days for delivery.

 

Just checked my manual...2023 Tundra Crewmax Limited 4x4 Off road.
Says replace at 40,000. Footnote says required as part of emissions control warranty.
Then again at 80,000

Seems awful soon for iridium tipped plugs. And seems to be a silly requirement for emissions warranty.

 

Tri-state area "tax"........ :/
I gave up on trying to get anything even at around MSRP from local dealerships (and I have plenty of them within reasonable driving distance).
They all charge arm+leg 'round here, and all don't give a flying eff.

 

Could be more than one spark during every ignition event.

 

If it's like every other vehicle they will all come out easy except for 1. Which will be a S.O.B..

 

****Looking for the pictures of the Gen 3 cab removed*****

 

On a positive note, the engine will probably eat a rod bearing before it’s time to replace the plugs.

 

Truest statement ever on this forum. I had a 96 and it was horrible. . Decided to throw some headers in since I knew it was gonna be terrible as is. . Ended up being a three day (full afternoons and evenings) job. . .

 

I miss the '70s and '80s when changing the plugs on most engines took about as long as a fuel fill up.

Matt

 

That's a pre-COVID consumption rate. We live in at least a 2 beers/hour reality now.

 

Have you actually done it in less than hour? I've read that most repair shops claim a little over 2 hours, and the cost is $400-$500.

I stopped working on engines when they went to computerized everything. I can rebuild and tune a carburetor with the best, though.

 

A lot of newer vehicles with turbo and direct injection require spark plug replacement at 40k mile intervals.

All newer Mazda's with 2.5T or the turbo inline 6, as well as VW 2.0 TSI engines. And that is just the small sample that I've dealt with, so I'm sure there are plenty others.

 

So, I take it you haven't actually done it in less than an hour, yourself?