hishines

Where and how can I find all six spark plugs? I can only see the front 3 plugs when I take out the V-bank cover.

Tammy

As you have noted, our engines are "sidewinders". It is transverse mounted in the engine bay.

If you face the front of the engine from the right side front fender, the right bank of three cylinders are located under the engine cover. The left bank of three cylinders are up against the firewall, directly opposing the right.

The individual coils are located directly above the spark plugs, hence no distributor, rotor, cap or high voltage plug wires. They are held in place with the single 10mm headed bolt affixed to the valve cover.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/96186-successful-1992-es300-spark-plug-change.html

It is possible to reach around the intake manifold to access the rear plugs. Remove the PCV and the cruise control throttle cable...

Lexmex

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-1st-gen-1999-2003/83257-spark-plug-replacement.html

and the secondary link from one of our members, http://vishesh.narayen.com/?page_id=90

I think someone else had a good description with photos, but I could not locate it.

Yes, those rear plugs are murder.

hishines

Thanks for the info guys. Not an easy access but workable I guess.

hishines

Finally got the plugs replaced, thanks for all the info. It took me two hours of hugging the engine and one minor cut in the hand, but all's well that ends well.

Fern

Finally did my plugs yesterday with 138,500 km. They still looked great.
Here's what I did:

-Started by removing the pcv valve and hose on passenger side from both ends (approx 5" long) then disconnected the coil pack over rear passenger plug, so I could remove plug. After experimenting with various extensions and adapters I was able to remove rear passenger side plug.

-removed cruise control bolt secured to manifold to access middle and driver's side plug

- removed coil pack over rear driver's side plug and did not need to disconnect the wiring harness, just set it aside, and removed same plug

- while leaving rear driver's side coil pack out of its place, I was able to access the coil pack for rear middle plug. I was able to disconnect the wire harness on coil pack of this plug by sliding left hand in around one side of manifold and right hand using rachet set. After installing new plug in rear middle location, install coil pack and listen or feel for wiring harness click upon reconnection.

- reinstall coil pack on rear driver's side plug and work on fronts.

- front plugs are self explanitory. If you've removed the rears, no need to explain front procedure.

Note; I did use some antiseaze on all plugs before install and made sure the product didn't come too close to the plug tip (leave it about 2 -3 threads before tip as you don't want to foul new plugs with antiseaze).

Another important note:
I also tried removing a coil pack from one of the front plugs and disconnected a wiring harness first before tackling the rears, just to see how the hole thing was put together in the first place.

All work was done from front of engine. Whole process took about 1.5 hours, of which approx 20 minutes was looking for peices for rachet set that spilled on garage floor

I used NGK BKR6EIX-11 iridium plugs

Cheers,
Fern