What did you do to your GS today?
#1082
Lead Lap
iTrader: (3)
Not on my GS but on the wheels for my GS I went over some of the more serious curb rash with a file to take it down a bit so I could pick back up where I left off on the polishing process on the lips before I lost interest and put the wheels up for sale. Might end up just dropping them off and paying for a shop to do as it's a lot of work. This is the before pic. I've knocked down quite a bit of it on one of the wheels.
#1084
Instructor
iTrader: (8)
i did a DIY 7 years ago when i first did it.. i'll try to dig it back up....
let's git er done...
#1085
Had my boy Kevin (loong) come over and help me with installing some 20mm spacers in the rear.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064501.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064501.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064501.jpg"/></a>
Before
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Emblems%20and%20Wheel%20Chip%20Guards/2016011723175600.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Emblems%20and%20Wheel%20Chip%20Guards/2016011723175600.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016011723175600.jpg"/></a>
After
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064400.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064400.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064400.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064500.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064500.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064500.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064501.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064501.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064501.jpg"/></a>
Before
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Emblems%20and%20Wheel%20Chip%20Guards/2016011723175600.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Emblems%20and%20Wheel%20Chip%20Guards/2016011723175600.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016011723175600.jpg"/></a>
After
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064400.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064400.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064400.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064500.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064500.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064500.jpg"/></a>
#1087
Lexus Test Driver
What did you do to your GS today?
Had my boy Kevin (loong) come over and help me with installing some 20mm spacers in the rear.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064501.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064501.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064501.jpg"/></a>
Before
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Emblems%20and%20Wheel%20Chip%20Guards/2016011723175600.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Emblems%20and%20Wheel%20Chip%20Guards/2016011723175600.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016011723175600.jpg"/></a>
After
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064400.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064400.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064400.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064500.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064500.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064500.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064501.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064501.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064501.jpg"/></a>
Before
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Emblems%20and%20Wheel%20Chip%20Guards/2016011723175600.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Emblems%20and%20Wheel%20Chip%20Guards/2016011723175600.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016011723175600.jpg"/></a>
After
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064400.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064400.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064400.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064500.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spacers/2016020700064500.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016020700064500.jpg"/></a>
#1088
I actually did this sunday night but dropped auto trans to replace with r154.
Attachment 493207
Attachment 493208
Attachment 493207
Attachment 493208
#1091
WOW both are GSs look exactly the same. Same silver. Same wheels. I have those same wheels on my 430. If I'm not mistaking, they're from the 3GS model. I wrapped them around with some Pirellis all season tires. I bought them replica from eBay. Think the wheels were just under $750. And the tires were about $690. No complaints yet. I too also added 20mm spacers to the rear. Made the car look much nicer. More aggressive from the back. Mines stock. No drop. Just old school factory. Love it that way........ Wheels been holding up fine too btw, despite being replicas... NICE CAR BUDDY
Lets see a pic of your ride!
#1092
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
Began hearing a squeak on my front passenger side suspension on my 2001 GS. Never changed the ball joint so decided to get that out of the way then see if the squeak continues.
Changed both ball joints and tie rods today and the squeak is gone. Time for an alignment. The ain nut holding the ball joint was a PITA!. Broke 1 spanner, 2 3/8 ratchet and a 3 inch extension. Borrowed a 2.5 foot breaker bar front autozone and it still was not budging, Took the metal pole off my jack and used it as a 3 foot extension and yanked as hard as I could...then POP! Off it goes.
Next up: stabiliser bushings front and rear, steering rack bushings. All already ordered.
Changed both ball joints and tie rods today and the squeak is gone. Time for an alignment. The ain nut holding the ball joint was a PITA!. Broke 1 spanner, 2 3/8 ratchet and a 3 inch extension. Borrowed a 2.5 foot breaker bar front autozone and it still was not budging, Took the metal pole off my jack and used it as a 3 foot extension and yanked as hard as I could...then POP! Off it goes.
Next up: stabiliser bushings front and rear, steering rack bushings. All already ordered.
#1093
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
[QUOTE=Blaze876;9366291]Began hearing a squeak on my front passenger side suspension on my 2001 GS. Never changed the ball joint so decided to get that out of the way then see if the squeak continues.
Changed both ball joints and tie rods today and the squeak is gone. Time for an alignment. The ain nut holding the ball joint was a PITA!. Broke 1 spanner, 2 3/8 ratchet and a 3 inch extension. Borrowed a 2.5 foot breaker bar front autozone and it still was not budging, Took the metal pole off my jack and used it as a 3 foot extension and yanked as hard as I could...then POP! Off it goes.
Blaze876,
A little tip for you. Toyota and Lexus screws tend to freeze to put it that way so when they are tight for a long time, the screws are frozen. Next time try to tighten a little bit and when you feel a click in your hands or tool that you use, at that point is easy to loose better or the screws are released faster. Try it next time. Good luck
Changed both ball joints and tie rods today and the squeak is gone. Time for an alignment. The ain nut holding the ball joint was a PITA!. Broke 1 spanner, 2 3/8 ratchet and a 3 inch extension. Borrowed a 2.5 foot breaker bar front autozone and it still was not budging, Took the metal pole off my jack and used it as a 3 foot extension and yanked as hard as I could...then POP! Off it goes.
Blaze876,
A little tip for you. Toyota and Lexus screws tend to freeze to put it that way so when they are tight for a long time, the screws are frozen. Next time try to tighten a little bit and when you feel a click in your hands or tool that you use, at that point is easy to loose better or the screws are released faster. Try it next time. Good luck
#1094
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
[QUOTE=Mcon;9366360]
Thanks for the tip. I will definitely try that next time I encounter any problems.
Began hearing a squeak on my front passenger side suspension on my 2001 GS. Never changed the ball joint so decided to get that out of the way then see if the squeak continues.
Changed both ball joints and tie rods today and the squeak is gone. Time for an alignment. The ain nut holding the ball joint was a PITA!. Broke 1 spanner, 2 3/8 ratchet and a 3 inch extension. Borrowed a 2.5 foot breaker bar front autozone and it still was not budging, Took the metal pole off my jack and used it as a 3 foot extension and yanked as hard as I could...then POP! Off it goes.
Blaze876,
A little tip for you. Toyota and Lexus screws tend to freeze to put it that way so when they are tight for a long time, the screws are frozen. Next time try to tighten a little bit and when you feel a click in your hands or tool that you use, at that point is easy to loose better or the screws are released faster. Try it next time. Good luck
Changed both ball joints and tie rods today and the squeak is gone. Time for an alignment. The ain nut holding the ball joint was a PITA!. Broke 1 spanner, 2 3/8 ratchet and a 3 inch extension. Borrowed a 2.5 foot breaker bar front autozone and it still was not budging, Took the metal pole off my jack and used it as a 3 foot extension and yanked as hard as I could...then POP! Off it goes.
Blaze876,
A little tip for you. Toyota and Lexus screws tend to freeze to put it that way so when they are tight for a long time, the screws are frozen. Next time try to tighten a little bit and when you feel a click in your hands or tool that you use, at that point is easy to loose better or the screws are released faster. Try it next time. Good luck
#1095
I decided to change the spark plugs as preventative maintenance since I do not know when they were changed last (if ever). I did some research and the guys on clublexus said it was a piece of cake. I have never done a spark plug job before and boy was I in for a bit of a surprise. I also decided to clean out the MAF and throttle body, since I was in there anyways.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280901.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280901.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280901.jpg"/></a>
MAF unit taken out from airbox
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280800.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280800.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280800.jpg"/></a>
Doesn't look so bad at all. Didn't put an after picture because it quite honestly looked the same.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280700.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280700.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280700.jpg"/></a>
Airbox could use a vacuum.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280600.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280600.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280600.jpg"/></a>
Boom
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021421043700.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021421043700.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021421043700.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280500.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280500.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280500.jpg"/></a>
What we were dealing with
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280401.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280401.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280401.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280301.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280301.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280301.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280300.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280300.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280300.jpg"/></a>
(PS I used carb cleaner with some shop towels for the job)
As I was cleaning the throttle body valve I noticed that there was a thin layer of oil inside the throttle body. Decided it would be fun to crack open the bad boy and take a look.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280201.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280201.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280201.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021421043900.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021421043900.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021421043900.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280200.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280200.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280200.jpg"/></a>
Wiped up most of it.
The spark plugs on the driver's side were a PITA. The first plug I tried to pull out had the spark plug boot seized to the wall. I ended up ripping the boot a little bit trying to extract the damn thing!
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021421043800.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021421043800.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021421043800.jpg"/></a>
First one out. **** was toast.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280100.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280100.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280100.jpg"/></a>
Plug #3 was particularly dirty. The socket hole had some crud around it and it took some ingenuity to figure out a good solution due to the clearance issues. I whipped out the dental picks to dry and scrape some of the crud out but it wasn't effective.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280001.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280001.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280001.jpg"/></a>
What I ended up doing was taking an extension, tieing a small piece of shop towel via elastic band, and spraying some carb cleaner to the said shop towel. The results were pretty good!
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400275900.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400275900.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400275900.jpg"/></a>
After a few more hours of pulling, bending and yelling, here are all the damn plugs out.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/54e62bff-1a7c-4985-881c-0501bea7a938.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/54e62bff-1a7c-4985-881c-0501bea7a938.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 54e62bff-1a7c-4985-881c-0501bea7a938.jpg"/></a>
These ***** were SHOT.
After the plugs were all pulled out and replaced, I fired up the car and it started ok.
When I drove it the next day, I noticed the idle was quite high, around 1400 rpm vs. the usual 700 rpm once warmed up. I went on Google and people suggested checking all of the vacuum hoses and the throttle cable. Everything checked out fine. At this point I was a bit nervous.
I figured that since the amount of air coming into the TB was going to be a bit more, and with the introduction of new spark plugs the ECU may be simply trying to adjust to the new parts. I adopted that idea and drove the car around the block a few times and then the CEL came on. At this point I had a mini heart attack.
I decided to pull the battery for 30 min so that the ECU will be reset. While I was waiting I rechecked all my connections and they were ok.
Plugged the battery back up and it started up fine. Drove the car all day and no CEL and no high idle! Mission success! (knock on wood)
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280901.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280901.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280901.jpg"/></a>
MAF unit taken out from airbox
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280800.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280800.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280800.jpg"/></a>
Doesn't look so bad at all. Didn't put an after picture because it quite honestly looked the same.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280700.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280700.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280700.jpg"/></a>
Airbox could use a vacuum.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280600.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280600.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280600.jpg"/></a>
Boom
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021421043700.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021421043700.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021421043700.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280500.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280500.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280500.jpg"/></a>
What we were dealing with
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280401.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280401.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280401.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280301.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280301.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280301.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280300.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280300.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280300.jpg"/></a>
(PS I used carb cleaner with some shop towels for the job)
As I was cleaning the throttle body valve I noticed that there was a thin layer of oil inside the throttle body. Decided it would be fun to crack open the bad boy and take a look.
<a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/clintdaddy/media/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280201.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/clintdaddy/Lexi/Spark%20Plugs%20TB%20and%20MAF/2016021400280201.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2016021400280201.jpg"/></a>
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Wiped up most of it.
The spark plugs on the driver's side were a PITA. The first plug I tried to pull out had the spark plug boot seized to the wall. I ended up ripping the boot a little bit trying to extract the damn thing!
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First one out. **** was toast.
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Plug #3 was particularly dirty. The socket hole had some crud around it and it took some ingenuity to figure out a good solution due to the clearance issues. I whipped out the dental picks to dry and scrape some of the crud out but it wasn't effective.
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What I ended up doing was taking an extension, tieing a small piece of shop towel via elastic band, and spraying some carb cleaner to the said shop towel. The results were pretty good!
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After a few more hours of pulling, bending and yelling, here are all the damn plugs out.
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These ***** were SHOT.
After the plugs were all pulled out and replaced, I fired up the car and it started ok.
When I drove it the next day, I noticed the idle was quite high, around 1400 rpm vs. the usual 700 rpm once warmed up. I went on Google and people suggested checking all of the vacuum hoses and the throttle cable. Everything checked out fine. At this point I was a bit nervous.
I figured that since the amount of air coming into the TB was going to be a bit more, and with the introduction of new spark plugs the ECU may be simply trying to adjust to the new parts. I adopted that idea and drove the car around the block a few times and then the CEL came on. At this point I had a mini heart attack.
I decided to pull the battery for 30 min so that the ECU will be reset. While I was waiting I rechecked all my connections and they were ok.
Plugged the battery back up and it started up fine. Drove the car all day and no CEL and no high idle! Mission success! (knock on wood)