I'm in the process of fixing up a gifted 03 es300. I've changed the ignition coils & plugs for the 3 easily accessible plugs, but when I went looking for the other 3, I could locate only 1. I understand these 3 are difficult to access, and I was hoping someone might have a few tips to make it easier. I have the 90 degree adapter and a varying size extensions, but even the 4th I've been able to locate is proving difficult to access to remove and change the plugs.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

--Ryan

 

Hi Ryan!

Yes, I have some tips which might help...

Essentially you'll be wanting two 5" socket extenders (6" will do fine too), a universal joint, plus a proper 16mm spark plug socket.

The combination of all the bits and pieces will allow you to undo the spark plugs (and reinsert them too).

The universal joint allows you to create a 10-12" long socket extender with a bend in the middle, and that allows you to work around the inlet plenum, from the top.

In my experience, the hardest part is actually removing the spark plug leads. It's a tight fit for your hands, and it helps to detach the various hoses which attach to the inlet plenum from the right hand side of the engine bay.

The reason why the hardest part of the job is removing the spark plug leads is because (over time) the leads tend to become quite stuck to the sides of the spark plug walls in the head.

But once you get the spark plug leads off, using my suggested extender set will allow you easily unscrew the plugs themselves.

I recommend applying some dialectric grease to the outer circumference of the spark plug leads when you reinsert them, in an effort to removing that "stuck problem" in future.

I can honestly say I've done the process perhaps six times now - I was pulling all six plugs to ascertain fuel richness at one point.

And even though it IS a tight fit for our hands, it's still easier than pulling off the inlet plenum (along with all the other removals such a process entails).