speedkar9

I thought I'd drop by and post a DIY video up for spark plug replacement in the 3.0L 1MZ-FE V6 engine.

I used NGK dual electrode platinum plugs because the Camry has waste spark ignition. The ES300 differs slightly with six individual coil packs and iridium plugs.

There is no need to remove the intake plenum. Its also a good idea to replace the PCV valve while you're back there, as you have to take off the PCV tube anyways.

The Denso plugs that were in there were in rough shape. It could be the original plugs with 252,000 km (156K miles) on them. Changing the plugs instantly made the idle smoother, as the car doesn't vibrate at a stop light when in gear anymore.



Here are a few pictures taken during the process:

The engine bay. Plugs labeled 2, 4, 6 for the front bank, and 1, 3, 5 for the rear bank, from passenger to driver side.



Removal of ignition coils in the front:



Taking out the old spark plug:



Old plug:



Apply anti-seize compound to the threads of new plug:



Reinstall new plugs with anti-seize applied.


The rear plug (#5 on driver's side) is easily accessed behind the intake plenum/ throttle body assembly:



Remove the ignition wires and remove the old plug. Reinstall the new plug #5 with ratchet accessed from area behind the throttle body. Use 6" extension + 1" extension with 5/8" Spark plug socket on a 3/8" drive ratchet.



Rear plugs (#1 & #3, passenger side and middle) can be accessed from the passenger side of the car by removing the PCV valve hose and this ground wire:



Once the ground wire and PCV valve is out of the way, there's clear access to #1 and #3 plugs.





Installation of plug #1 on the passenger side can be done with the 6" extension on the 5/8" spark plug socket.



For the rear middle plug, a universal joint will be needed to snake a 3" extension with the spark plug socket down into the hole because a 6" extension won't clear the plenum.



Hope this video / DIY helps someone!

msekanha

You think it's possible to replace spark plugs on a 4es 3.3L without removing the intake plenum?

speedkar9

From what I've read you have to take the plenum out because there isn't enough space to remove the rear coils.

That's my next project, changing the spark plugs on my 3MZ-FE 4ES. I plan to remove the plenum, change the PCV valve and clean up the throttle body while I'm back there.

msekanha

That sucks.

I was hoping to get away from removing the intake plenum by squeezing my hands beneath like i did with my 1mz..... sigh...

Nice vid BTW

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

^ no chance. Just get a new gasket for the plenum, as it is two pice like on the 1mz

Whitenova

Thanks for the video. Might need this sometime in the future!

speedkar9

Just an update: I just *attempted* to change the rear spark plugs on my 3MZ-FE ES330 without removing the plenum. Removing the airbox and intake tube from the driver side, and the PCV hose and valve from the passenger side makes some room for you to get your hands in there, but its really tight.
I had to kneel on the rad-support and battery to get back there.

3 hours and four bloody hands later, we got the rear driver side spark plug changed.



I'm definitely taking off the plenum for the other two. The middle ignition coil won't even clear the underside of the plenum.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

How many miles can I expect out of a set of spark plugs? I had the dealer change them about 120k/ 4 years ago. Car runs fine, but I assume tey are due to be changed.

speedkar9

Iridium plugs should last 120K miles.

The ones I pulled from the Solara @ 156K miles were probably the original Denso's and were in rough shape.

msekanha

Nice write up, man.

I'm looking forward to changing my plugs soon.

How much did the intake gasket run you for?

artbuc

Thank-you very much. This is simply the best automotive DIY video I have ever seen, plus you are a first-rate tech!

Quick question: Can you replace the PCV valve without removing the plenum? Thanks.

speedkar9

For the 1MZ-FE I didn't need to remove the plenum. On the 3MZ-FE, I removed the plenum and replaced the gasket with Toyota part number 17176-20020 for $13 CAD at the Toyota dealer (Lexus wanted more $ for same part!). See my other thread for the 3.3L engine.

I'm really glad I can help people understand the simplicity of basic automotive maintenance. I do this as a hobby, because I like getting my hands dirty, learning how things work, and I also like photography / video-graphy. The combination of those was the reason I bought my 99 Solara to tinker with this summer.

I don't know about the first-rate tech thing though...

Yes, there is easy access to the PCV valve and hose.



I'm going see if I can update this thread with some photos to see if that makes it easier to understand.

speedkar9

I've updated the first post with some pictures to further illustrate the spark plug change procedure.

Just remember, this was on my 99 Solara with the 1MZ-FE engine. The ES300 uses rear ignition coils instead of the Camry / Solara's ignition wires from the waste spark ignition system.

Procedure is the same, just remove the 10mm bolt and remove the ignition coil to access the rear plugs.