Club Lexus Forums - View Single Post

gp1200x · 05-10-03, 08:06 PM

My box of parts from RockAuto arrived and I removed my front tries and brake calipers to change the pads. Hunted in the box for the front pads and checked the order form and found out they were back ordered...only part that didn't ship. I did change the back pads with the new ceramic type pads hopefully to prevent rotor warpage.

Anyway it was 7pm and the sun was setting so I figured I would quickly put the new Bosch Platinum 4 prong spark plugs in. The front plug went in in about 15 minutes. The back ones however are much more challenging.

I would rate this as a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 most difficult). If you don't have numerous 1/2, 3/8 extensions and adapters to be able to interchangeable use both rackets, you will not be able to do this. You also need to be somewhat skillful and agile with both hands since you need to reach around behind the intake manifold. You also need to be able to work by feel since you have limited vision behind the manifold. I started at 7 and finished about 1.5 hours later, after the sun had set and the bugs came out. Figure it will take you at least an hour but less then two. If you have a tendency to be clumsy and drop screws and tools, do bother trying this since you may loose parts behind the manifold.

Here are some tips that will make it easier to change your plugs:
The front ones are easy to change so these tips are for the back ones.
1. Don't start at sunset like I did. Otherwise you will be getting out flashlights and worklights.
2. You will need 1/4 and 3/8 rackets for the back plugs....you may be able to use the 1/2 racket with limited movement.
3. Remove the cruise control bracket (single bolt) next to the throttle assembly on the right side (facing the engine).
4. Remove the PVC tube on the left side the of the back valve cover. Just give it a tug on both ends and it will slide off the tube and out of the valve cover.
5. There is also an aluminum vertical tube with a rubber hose on it just behind the left end of the back valve cover. I had to push this back about a half inch (push on the steel bracket) towards the firewall.
5. I am right handed.... so therefore remove the right hand side first (facing the engine). I did not have to remove the electrical connector on this spark plug tube. Remove the spark plug tube screw and pull the tube out. Be carefull that you do not loose the rubber gasket on the tubing. I dropped two by accident but found them under the vehicle. I was lucky! Now remove the plus and replace it. Here is when you will need to use your various assortment of extensions. It is a tight fit but it isn't too bad. Carefully install the new plug and tighten it. Do NOT place the tube back in. It would get in your way for the next plug removal.
6. The middle plug needs to have the electrical connector removed. I could not get enough clearance to remove the tube without removing the connector. You should understand how the connector comes off since you may have removed them on the front plugs. Bascially you need to press down on the tab and then pry the connector off by placing a flat screwdriver between the connector and the plug andsimply give it a turn and the connector should pop off. Not too difficult once you get the hang of it. I was able to remove the middle connector plug by accessing it from the left side of the intake manifold. Use a long handle thin blade screwdriver and you should be able to reach the connector and pry it off. I used my right hand to hold the tab down and my left hand to pop off the connector with the screwdriver. Now remove the tube screw and pull out the tube. Make sure you do not loose the rubber gasket on the tube. Change the plug from the right side using rackets and adapters. Do not yet reinstall the tube after you replace the spark plug..
7. Now remove the connector on the back left plug and remove the tube screw. I think I was able to remove the screw from the right side of the intake manifold. The tube will come out but you will have to try different twists and angles since the area is very tight. Once out place the new plug in. Now reinstall the tube and the tube screw (make sure you still have the dust gasket on the tube) and reconnect the electical connector. Make sure it is the correct electrical connector.
8. Reinstall the middle tube and screw and hook up the electrical connector.
9. Reinstall the right spark plug tube with gasket (the electrical connector should still be attached).
10. Hook up the cruise bracket with the cable properly placed in the trough.
11. Put a little water or oil on the PVC cable and it should easily slide back onto the tube behind the intake manifold. Press it down all the way into the valve cover gasket.
12. Place the engine cover back on and your down.
Approximate time 1.5 hours, unless you dropped screws and gaskets!!

I was thinking of keeping the old plugs (85K miles) but trashed them. No way would I ever reinstall a used plugs in this vehicle since they are such a hassle to change.

Next job....timing belt and timing belt pulleys replacement. Received the whole kit from RockAuto. Quality looks good.

Now its time to test out the new Bosch 4 Platinums. I don't expect to feel any difference in peformance or gas mileage since the old plugs were iridium.

05-10-03, 08:06 PM	#1
gp1200x Rookie Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NY Posts: 94	Spark plug replacement My box of parts from RockAuto arrived and I removed my front tries and brake calipers to change the pads. Hunted in the box for the front pads and checked the order form and found out they were back ordered...only part that didn't ship. I did change the back pads with the new ceramic type pads hopefully to prevent rotor warpage. Anyway it was 7pm and the sun was setting so I figured I would quickly put the new Bosch Platinum 4 prong spark plugs in. The front plug went in in about 15 minutes. The back ones however are much more challenging. I would rate this as a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 most difficult). If you don't have numerous 1/2, 3/8 extensions and adapters to be able to interchangeable use both rackets, you will not be able to do this. You also need to be somewhat skillful and agile with both hands since you need to reach around behind the intake manifold. You also need to be able to work by feel since you have limited vision behind the manifold. I started at 7 and finished about 1.5 hours later, after the sun had set and the bugs came out. Figure it will take you at least an hour but less then two. If you have a tendency to be clumsy and drop screws and tools, do bother trying this since you may loose parts behind the manifold. Here are some tips that will make it easier to change your plugs: The front ones are easy to change so these tips are for the back ones. 1. Don't start at sunset like I did. Otherwise you will be getting out flashlights and worklights. 2. You will need 1/4 and 3/8 rackets for the back plugs....you may be able to use the 1/2 racket with limited movement. 3. Remove the cruise control bracket (single bolt) next to the throttle assembly on the right side (facing the engine). 4. Remove the PVC tube on the left side the of the back valve cover. Just give it a tug on both ends and it will slide off the tube and out of the valve cover. 5. There is also an aluminum vertical tube with a rubber hose on it just behind the left end of the back valve cover. I had to push this back about a half inch (push on the steel bracket) towards the firewall. 5. I am right handed.... so therefore remove the right hand side first (facing the engine). I did not have to remove the electrical connector on this spark plug tube. Remove the spark plug tube screw and pull the tube out. Be carefull that you do not loose the rubber gasket on the tubing. I dropped two by accident but found them under the vehicle. I was lucky! Now remove the plus and replace it. Here is when you will need to use your various assortment of extensions. It is a tight fit but it isn't too bad. Carefully install the new plug and tighten it. Do NOT place the tube back in. It would get in your way for the next plug removal. 6. The middle plug needs to have the electrical connector removed. I could not get enough clearance to remove the tube without removing the connector. You should understand how the connector comes off since you may have removed them on the front plugs. Bascially you need to press down on the tab and then pry the connector off by placing a flat screwdriver between the connector and the plug andsimply give it a turn and the connector should pop off. Not too difficult once you get the hang of it. I was able to remove the middle connector plug by accessing it from the left side of the intake manifold. Use a long handle thin blade screwdriver and you should be able to reach the connector and pry it off. I used my right hand to hold the tab down and my left hand to pop off the connector with the screwdriver. Now remove the tube screw and pull out the tube. Make sure you do not loose the rubber gasket on the tube. Change the plug from the right side using rackets and adapters. Do not yet reinstall the tube after you replace the spark plug.. 7. Now remove the connector on the back left plug and remove the tube screw. I think I was able to remove the screw from the right side of the intake manifold. The tube will come out but you will have to try different twists and angles since the area is very tight. Once out place the new plug in. Now reinstall the tube and the tube screw (make sure you still have the dust gasket on the tube) and reconnect the electical connector. Make sure it is the correct electrical connector. 8. Reinstall the middle tube and screw and hook up the electrical connector. 9. Reinstall the right spark plug tube with gasket (the electrical connector should still be attached). 10. Hook up the cruise bracket with the cable properly placed in the trough. 11. Put a little water or oil on the PVC cable and it should easily slide back onto the tube behind the intake manifold. Press it down all the way into the valve cover gasket. 12. Place the engine cover back on and your down. Approximate time 1.5 hours, unless you dropped screws and gaskets!! I was thinking of keeping the old plugs (85K miles) but trashed them. No way would I ever reinstall a used plugs in this vehicle since they are such a hassle to change. Next job....timing belt and timing belt pulleys replacement. Received the whole kit from RockAuto. Quality looks good. Now its time to test out the new Bosch 4 Platinums. I don't expect to feel any difference in peformance or gas mileage since the old plugs were iridium.