I Changed my SPaRk Plugs!

[Sap Z]

WOO HOO!

i read on here abot how hard changing the spark plugs youself was. And I did this so myself ( I'm mechanical knowledge is not that high)

Well anyhow - My Dad and I got the tools and changed em. Took about 30-40 mins. I got the Denso double Platinums. The toyota dealer ripped me off by charging $13.50 a plug !! I bought them for $7.5 from autozone and returned the ones from the dealer.

My car runs smooth now. I dont know if its all in my head but it does seem a little more responsive. I will know about change in mieage this weekend.

yay!

[theprodigy79]

New spark plugs can DEFINITELY make a DRASTIC difference in a vehicle's response, especially if the old ones were pitted or coroded! Good job dude, it's a simple task and it's well worth the small amount of time and effort it takes to save the $$$ and put in better parts.

Did you replace the distributor cap and rotor while you were at it? Did you make sure to gap the plugs correctly? When was the last time you had your wires changed (did you change them as well)?

-James

[Sap Z]

New spark plugs can DEFINITELY make a DRASTIC difference in a vehicle's response, especially if the old ones were pitted or coroded! Good job dude, it's a simple task and it's well worth the small amount of time and effort it takes to save the $$$ and put in better parts.

Did you replace the distributor cap and rotor while you were at it? Did you make sure to gap the plugs correctly? When was the last time you had your wires changed (did you change them as well)?

-James

I definately saved a lotta $$ - dealer wanted $200 to change plugs !!

Sorry but James can you tell me wat the Distributor cap and rotor are? I have no idea - i'd like to know though.

I did not change the wires - i dont think the wires or the plugs have been changed ever, i bought it at 82K miles. its at 96K now. Will changing the wires further improve performance (quality of ride)??

Can I just goto autozone and buy wires? They have duralast wires for $60

Thanks James.

[bunthy]

we don't have distributor caps and rotors. We use coil packs. So therefore we're distributor-less.

[dominoSLEV6]

30 - 40 minutes to change all 6 plugs on our car? You're a god!

-chris

[that1mexguy]

dang, for real.... took me hrs! good job man and congrats!

[Nyyankees3511]

Great job. First time took me an hour, second time took me around 25 mins. I had to work fast haha.

[TadS]

^^^
About 20-30 minutes on a 1MZ Sienna, got it from Matco after spending 45 on my wife’s Avalon with a normal 3/8 drive ratchet. On a side note, I have a buddy that actually pulled a muscle doing his '97 Camry, funny stuff there .

For those that wonder it's Part#: BR5FT.

[theprodigy79]

New spark plugs can DEFINITELY make a DRASTIC difference in a vehicle's response, especially if the old ones were pitted or coroded! Good job dude, it's a simple task and it's well worth the small amount of time and effort it takes to save the $$$ and put in better parts.

Did you replace the distributor cap and rotor while you were at it? Did you make sure to gap the plugs correctly? When was the last time you had your wires changed (did you change them as well)?

-James

I definately saved a lotta $$ - dealer wanted $200 to change plugs !!

Sorry but James can you tell me wat the Distributor cap and rotor are? I have no idea - i'd like to know though.

I did not change the wires - i dont think the wires or the plugs have been changed ever, i bought it at 82K miles. its at 96K now. Will changing the wires further improve performance (quality of ride)??

Can I just goto autozone and buy wires? They have duralast wires for $60

Thanks James.

Disregard that, I was unsure as to whether the Gen 1 still used distributor cap and rotor... they don't (as mentioned above). The wires will make a difference, assuming your current wires have pitted or coroded ends. Assuming they've never been changed after 90K plus miles, I'd go ahead and change them.

As far as what type of wires you should go with, you can get Bosch or NGK wires online for like $35 shipped... You can get better quality wires online for less than $60. I believe Toyota usually uses NGK wires and plugs, or at least they used to (I know my Celica came with NGK plugs from the factory).

[onefiend]

It was easy on my 4 cyl. took about 15 minutes with two guys with the right tools. I know its a little tougher on a V6.

[hskrsolara]

It was easy on my 4 cyl. took about 15 minutes with two guys with the right tools. I know its a little tougher on a V6.

HAHA, it is soooo much easier on the 4 cyl, there is no comparison here!

[solaraluv]

we don't have distributor caps and rotors. We use coil packs. So therefore we're distributor-less.

does anyone know when coil packs should be changed?

[SleeperSolara]

Congrats man.
I still need to do that.
Well "TadS" i'm goin' to try to beat your time.

[Sap Z]

well..honestly..i know nothing when it comes to mechanical knowledge..specially compared to ppl on here. My dad helped out so it was 2 of us. Also I had a special tool..i dont think its the one in the pic above.

this is wat i had..this is also the only pic i found.

the hardest part is turning the wrench cuz theres not enough space..

Anyhow - is it worth $65 to get wires? i mean if its not going to make my car run smoother or better?

[SleeperSolara]

well..honestly..i know nothing when it comes to mechanical knowledge..specially compared to ppl on here. My dad helped out so it was 2 of us. Also I had a special tool..i dont think its the one in the pic above.

this is wat i had..this is also the only pic i found.

the hardest part is turning the wrench cuz theres not enough space..

Anyhow - is it worth $65 to get wires? i mean if its not going to make my car run smoother or better?

Well the current will run through the wires faster and no slow like the OEM.