spark plugs
02-18-15, 06:29 AM
#2
There are quite a few threads on spark plugs. Search is your friend.
02-18-15, 11:40 AM
#3
I believe the shop estimate is 4-6 hours. Plugs should be $10-25 each depending upon how you source them, and then multiply out your shop rate to get an idea of cost.
02-18-15, 09:47 PM
#4
Pole Position
Welcome to Club Lexus, 1ferdinand!
Spark plugs are the RX is kind of bear if you aren't very mechanically inclined. If you are mechanically inclined, and feel like tackling the job yourself, it should take about 2 hours to do, maybe a bit longer the first time you do it.
You didn't say what model year Lexus you had, which is important. The 04-06 models and the 07-09 models have different engines.
If you have a 04-06 model year RX330 with the 3.3L (3MZ-FE) V6, fortunately, there is a very good D.I.Y. (do it yourself) guide written by fellow Club Lexus member alchemist. The link is below.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...with-pics.html
If you have a 07-09 model year RX350 with the 3.5 (2GR-FE) V6, then the D.I.Y guide above won't really help you any. I don't know if someone has done a D.I.Y guide for this engine yet or not. I would use the search tool of this forum and see what you find.
I know for the RX330, that Lexus bills 1.9 hours of labor to change spark plugs. Denso spark plugs are usually about $15 a piece or so (don't remember the exact price of the top of my head). I also recommend putting in a new surge tank (upper intake manifold) gasket in when you do the plugs, as you have to pull the surge tank to get access to the plugs. The gasket is about $30. You might also might want to change out the PCV valve as well while you have access to it. I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the PCV valve yet, but they are relatively inexpensive (I don't remember how much they are, but they aren't too bad, $30-$50 maybe?), which is cheap insurance. Total parts should be just over about $100 or so. So depending on what the labor rate is, you are looking at somewhere between $400-$600 or so, out the door, if you have a Lexus dealer do it.
A spark plug change on an RX is something any Toyota technician should be able to do relatively easily, as the same engine with (almost) identical layout is found on many Toyota vehicles, such as the Toyota Highlander and Toyota Sienna. It is worth asking a Toyota dealership how much they would charge to do it.
The other option of course is having a trusted independent mechanic do it.
Spark plugs are the RX is kind of bear if you aren't very mechanically inclined. If you are mechanically inclined, and feel like tackling the job yourself, it should take about 2 hours to do, maybe a bit longer the first time you do it.
You didn't say what model year Lexus you had, which is important. The 04-06 models and the 07-09 models have different engines.
If you have a 04-06 model year RX330 with the 3.3L (3MZ-FE) V6, fortunately, there is a very good D.I.Y. (do it yourself) guide written by fellow Club Lexus member alchemist. The link is below.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...with-pics.html
If you have a 07-09 model year RX350 with the 3.5 (2GR-FE) V6, then the D.I.Y guide above won't really help you any. I don't know if someone has done a D.I.Y guide for this engine yet or not. I would use the search tool of this forum and see what you find.
I know for the RX330, that Lexus bills 1.9 hours of labor to change spark plugs. Denso spark plugs are usually about $15 a piece or so (don't remember the exact price of the top of my head). I also recommend putting in a new surge tank (upper intake manifold) gasket in when you do the plugs, as you have to pull the surge tank to get access to the plugs. The gasket is about $30. You might also might want to change out the PCV valve as well while you have access to it. I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the PCV valve yet, but they are relatively inexpensive (I don't remember how much they are, but they aren't too bad, $30-$50 maybe?), which is cheap insurance. Total parts should be just over about $100 or so. So depending on what the labor rate is, you are looking at somewhere between $400-$600 or so, out the door, if you have a Lexus dealer do it.
A spark plug change on an RX is something any Toyota technician should be able to do relatively easily, as the same engine with (almost) identical layout is found on many Toyota vehicles, such as the Toyota Highlander and Toyota Sienna. It is worth asking a Toyota dealership how much they would charge to do it.
The other option of course is having a trusted independent mechanic do it.
02-19-15, 10:02 AM
#5
Our 3.3 engines are used by the ES330 and the Highlander V6. The ES330 gives you room to replace the plugs easily (done it). The Highlander V6 is also forgiving. The RX330 however is different in cabin design and intrudes into the engine bay further. This makes it difficult to get to the 3 Rear plugs.
Realistically on our RX330, the cowl has to be taken out to make it easier to get to the rear plugs. However with some study and some hard work, you can manage to replace the back plugs without removing the cowl. However it will be guaranteed that some knuckles will bleed and some hand trauma experienced (LOL). But doable.
There are great threads here to refer to. Alchemist has done it quite well for one.
Realistically on our RX330, the cowl has to be taken out to make it easier to get to the rear plugs. However with some study and some hard work, you can manage to replace the back plugs without removing the cowl. However it will be guaranteed that some knuckles will bleed and some hand trauma experienced (LOL). But doable.
There are great threads here to refer to. Alchemist has done it quite well for one.
02-19-15, 10:06 AM
#6
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post