Any tip for DIY spark plug change?
05-21-13, 06:51 AM
#17
Alive again, I am doign the plugs and autozone is out of the long life plug and has the performance plug. what is the difference any recommednations on either? Plug removal looks pretty strightforward. Is there a gasket at the coil head interface which is ever in question? Thanks
05-21-13, 08:26 AM
#18
The manual says to replace at 120k miles... so at 140k it was past time for mine.
I got the iridium NGK plugs from O-Reillys... I don't use Autozone for anything...(personal preference)
Just replaced them on a 2001 model... No problems and pretty straightforward. The driver's side is easier than the passenger due to removing the air intake plastics/box on that side that blocks the access on the passenger side as well as the tighter access to the rear plugs due to the battery.
There is one 10mm bolt on each coil pack on top of each plug. Remove this, then pull the coil pack straight off. The nice design in Lexus is that there is a spring inside the wire that makes contact with the plug and not the old-fashioned circle connector that you'd have to push on to the spark plug tip and then pop off when removing. Ruined many wires due to that poor design. This design is much easier to work with, imho.
And yes, there is a rubber seal at the coil pack.
You may find it easier and less difficult to go ahead and remove the connector from the coil pack prior to loosening the bolt. This allows much more free movement of the coil pack and puts zero strain on the wires/harness. Some plugs will have to use this procedure as there is not enough slack in the wire. I found the best way to do this was to used a curved needle nosed pliers to gently squeeze the plug clip while using a straight screwdriver to gently separate the clip from the base, alternating from one side to the next. You can easily tell when it separates and you can pull it off.
The plugs on the passenger side are tight towards the back where the battery is in the way. A universal joint might be necessary. Have some different size extensions available to be flexible. I found that an old spark plug wire from a Honda was useful in the final removal of the old plug as well as insertion of the new plug. Especially since my plug socket is missing the foam/rubber insert and is essentially just a socket. Happens after 30 years.
In the passenger side I could not slide the socket with the extension into the tube due to the battery and the angle needed. So I'd drop the socket in, then hook up the extension and remove or tighten, then use a claw removal tool ( you know the extension claw)... slide that into the socket, expand the claw and pull out. Pretty simple.
I hand tighten to feel and added a small amount of anti-seize lubricant.
Fairly east do it yourself project...providing nothing breaks... Good luck.
I got the iridium NGK plugs from O-Reillys... I don't use Autozone for anything...(personal preference)
Just replaced them on a 2001 model... No problems and pretty straightforward. The driver's side is easier than the passenger due to removing the air intake plastics/box on that side that blocks the access on the passenger side as well as the tighter access to the rear plugs due to the battery.
There is one 10mm bolt on each coil pack on top of each plug. Remove this, then pull the coil pack straight off. The nice design in Lexus is that there is a spring inside the wire that makes contact with the plug and not the old-fashioned circle connector that you'd have to push on to the spark plug tip and then pop off when removing. Ruined many wires due to that poor design. This design is much easier to work with, imho.
And yes, there is a rubber seal at the coil pack.
You may find it easier and less difficult to go ahead and remove the connector from the coil pack prior to loosening the bolt. This allows much more free movement of the coil pack and puts zero strain on the wires/harness. Some plugs will have to use this procedure as there is not enough slack in the wire. I found the best way to do this was to used a curved needle nosed pliers to gently squeeze the plug clip while using a straight screwdriver to gently separate the clip from the base, alternating from one side to the next. You can easily tell when it separates and you can pull it off.
The plugs on the passenger side are tight towards the back where the battery is in the way. A universal joint might be necessary. Have some different size extensions available to be flexible. I found that an old spark plug wire from a Honda was useful in the final removal of the old plug as well as insertion of the new plug. Especially since my plug socket is missing the foam/rubber insert and is essentially just a socket. Happens after 30 years.
In the passenger side I could not slide the socket with the extension into the tube due to the battery and the angle needed. So I'd drop the socket in, then hook up the extension and remove or tighten, then use a claw removal tool ( you know the extension claw)... slide that into the socket, expand the claw and pull out. Pretty simple.
I hand tighten to feel and added a small amount of anti-seize lubricant.
Fairly east do it yourself project...providing nothing breaks... Good luck.
05-21-13, 02:36 PM
#20
05-26-13, 11:19 PM
#24
spark plugs on your lexus shoud be replaced at 120,000.0 miles and since you have coils you have no wirers to replace but if you have wirers this is a good tome to do them ,plus this is the time to do the timeing belt -pump-tensioners-hoses-and belts.One thing that no one has said ,you need to use anti sieze compound on the plug threads I do all the threads very lightly and do NOT get any on the elexteold ,use a small paint brush like you use for painting pictures.one more thing take care when you remove hoses off plastic tubes if you break the plastic tub this repair could cost you alot.ALso it does help to use a hose that fits tight on the plug and take your time to slowly start the plug and DO NOT use a wrench until the plug is all the way setted at this time take the wrench and lightly snog the plug then turn the wench 1 quarter to 1 half turn max this is in the lexus book.One more thing ,if you need to do all the other things an it is out of your experties have some one with the knowlege do this repair.you well thank me lateter.GOOD LUCK.KRAM
03-25-14, 06:05 PM
#26
I see that owners are changing the original plugs way past the recommended 120,000 miles. My car purrs like a kitten and runs extremely smooth. I currently have 113,000 miles. If the engine does not have any issues, I'm wondering how many miles an owner can actually get out of them?
03-26-14, 07:12 PM
#28
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: georgia
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If someone wanted to know i purchased my LS with 75K on it and now has 240k and still purring and getting 23mpg on hwy without changing the spark plugs. I plan on changing them within the next week or so but the car is running strong and smooth. Gonna see how many miles i can get on her.
03-26-14, 07:38 PM
#29
If someone wanted to know i purchased my LS with 75K on it and now has 240k and still purring and getting 23mpg on hwy without changing the spark plugs. I plan on changing them within the next week or so but the car is running strong and smooth. Gonna see how many miles i can get on her.
