How to change spark plugs in 2001 Solara V6?

by **jzwu** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:11 pm

I couldn't find the rear 3 plugs, even after taking off the plastic engine cover.

Can someone tell me where they are? Is it difficult to change them? Do I have to take off the exhaust manifold?

Car is 2001 SLE convertible with 101k miles. And I think it is time to replace the plugs.

Thanks!

by **rewmomi** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:19 pm

yeah take the plastic cover off and look a little harder lol jk yeah u have to take the entire exhaust manifold off. There is a tutorial you know just use the search function.

by **akora12** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:21 pm

I don't envy those of you who did this w/o removing the intake manifold!

by **jzwu** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:22 pm

Well, then it is out of my skills. Better to let dealer do it.

How much is reasonable? I have heard of $200 for platinums.

by **solaraN8** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:29 pm

say whaaaaa take the manifold off to do plugs.. you just gotta reach your arm down in there i didnt even take the engine cover off.. its easiest to get two from the drivers side and one from the passenger side.. takes like an hour and is simple. you just gotta feel around and see with your hands and not your eyes. and personally i would just swap them with iridiums instead of platinums

by **jzwu** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:34 pm

So it might easier to do it from underneath the car?

I did the spark plug change for my Nissan Maxima, but I cannot even see the 3 rear plugs in the Solara.

by **Midias** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:36 pm

akora12 wrote:I don't envy those of you who did this w/o removing the intake manifold!

it is not hard to do with the manifold on. I have done it a couple of times you just have to get use to it and get a few different size extensions. Oh yea and stay away from bosch.

by **jzwu** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:38 pm

I am going to get the Denso Iridium ones.

Can someone give me a simple description on how to do it? I would really appreciate the help.

by **Midias** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:39 pm

http://www.solaraguy.com/viewtopic.php?t=10551

Check all 3 pages

by **Eye8Pussies** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:48 pm

it's called an intake plenum guys

the intake manifold is under the plenum and doesn't have to be touched

by **akora12** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:53 pm

Eye8Pussies wrote:it's called an intake plenum guys

the intake manifold is under the plenum and doesn't have to be touched

Bad habit for me considering I knew that!

I still wouldn't do this w/o removing the intake plenum...I get frustrated too easily.

by **Midias** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:56 pm

Eye8Pussies wrote:it's called an intake plenum guys

the intake manifold is under the plenum and doesn't have to be touched

Either way removing the manifold or plenum is not required

by **jzwu** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:58 pm

Thanks all!

I will try myself first for sure.

by **Jakecallun20** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:46 pm

it isn't hard, just time consuming. And yes Bosch is not good for Toyotas. Go with Denso Iridium IK20's. Or IK22's if you are S/C. Just reach behind/under the intake/TB and you will feel the tops of the wires, they are just plugs. If you have ever changed plugs before, you'll know them when you see/feel them, pull them out and you'll need up to 9" of extension to get down in there. Make sure to have a spark plug socket with a grommet to pull the plug out of the hole after unscrewing it. Its pretty straight forward.

by **unbalancedwood** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:08 pm

Follow the tutorial and above comments. Its fine once you figure out how to manuavor your hands and position yourself against the car. Lets not forget to wear non-scratch-paint-pants, lol.

And buying one of those extending magnets on a stick isnt a bad idea. Save some time if they come out of the socket.

How to change spark plugs in 2001 Solara V6?

How to change spark plugs in 2001 Solara V6?

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