Looking for spark plug change advice
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 268
Likes: 4
From: CA
I did the plugs in my 2000 ES a few weeks ago -- do the front three first to get yourself acclimated to the process.
Mine has the coils on the plugs. To do the back three ........take all three coils out to give some room back there and do the other three plugs before you put any coils back.I happened to get a cheap set of plug sockets from Harbor fright -- the kind with a built in joint on the top. The one for the Lexus plug was perfect for the job -- best $9 you will ever spend working on the ES. You will also need a couple of short extensions.
Spending $20 at HF tools will get you everything if you don't already have the tools -- took me about 1 1/2 hours to do the plugs and some other maintenance.
Mine has the coils on the plugs. To do the back three ........take all three coils out to give some room back there and do the other three plugs before you put any coils back.I happened to get a cheap set of plug sockets from Harbor fright -- the kind with a built in joint on the top. The one for the Lexus plug was perfect for the job -- best $9 you will ever spend working on the ES. You will also need a couple of short extensions.
Spending $20 at HF tools will get you everything if you don't already have the tools -- took me about 1 1/2 hours to do the plugs and some other maintenance.
Thanks
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 400
Likes: 15
From: NJ
The HF set included four sockets for the popular plug sizes - one of them was correct for the ES.
They are a normal spark plug set with the rubber insert to hold the plug - the difference is they have the "knuckle" built into the top of the socket. Normally sockets sets come with a knuckle and you move it to the socket you are using -- with the built in combined knuckle the hight of the socket is reduced so it will fit into tighter spaces.
You will also need a couple of different length extensions so you can get in and around other obstructions -- HF sells them also.
I don't have the number -- and the numbers change at HF ... Just go online you will see them.
I put a little plug boot grease on a plug and lubed the rubber inside the new socket -- it was so tight that I had a hard time getting it off the new plug after installing it -- you don't want to have this problem while working on the rear ones.
This is not hard -- take you time and all will be well.
Get the correct plug for the car -- listed in the manual .... it will be pre-gaped.
Also -- make sure you have the proper bit to take off the engine cover -- I forget now if it its an allen or tork
They are a normal spark plug set with the rubber insert to hold the plug - the difference is they have the "knuckle" built into the top of the socket. Normally sockets sets come with a knuckle and you move it to the socket you are using -- with the built in combined knuckle the hight of the socket is reduced so it will fit into tighter spaces.
You will also need a couple of different length extensions so you can get in and around other obstructions -- HF sells them also.
I don't have the number -- and the numbers change at HF ... Just go online you will see them.
I put a little plug boot grease on a plug and lubed the rubber inside the new socket -- it was so tight that I had a hard time getting it off the new plug after installing it -- you don't want to have this problem while working on the rear ones.
This is not hard -- take you time and all will be well.
Get the correct plug for the car -- listed in the manual .... it will be pre-gaped.
Also -- make sure you have the proper bit to take off the engine cover -- I forget now if it its an allen or tork
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I just changed all 6 plugs and 1 coil pack this weekend. I could not afford to take to Lexus. I paid a total of $134.00 for 6 plugs and the coil pack. Being a female and knowing a little about cars I went to the library and got the Chilton Book for my car and did it myself. you DO NOT have to take off the Intake. I am average built and my arm fit between the firewall an the plugs. I had all the tools needed. Alan wrench, spark plug socket and a wrench. VERY VERY easy! 2.5 hours and I saved a lot of money. Good luck, feel free to contact me if I can help anyone. We have nice cars but we don't have to pay those not so nice prices 
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 15
From: Ontario
I just changed all 6 plugs and 1 coil pack this weekend. I could not afford to take to Lexus. I paid a total of $134.00 for 6 plugs and the coil pack. Being a female and knowing a little about cars I went to the library and got the Chilton Book for my car and did it myself. you DO NOT have to take off the Intake. I am average built and my arm fit between the firewall an the plugs. I had all the tools needed. Alan wrench, spark plug socket and a wrench. VERY VERY easy! 2.5 hours and I saved a lot of money. Good luck, feel free to contact me if I can help anyone. We have nice cars but we don't have to pay those not so nice prices
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