LS460 - and all Lexus - Spark Plug Change Intervals
#31
This thread inspired me. I got my new plugs at Advanced auto today. Oem plugs $100. I will put them in next week. Football takes precedence. I also ordered a transmission filter and gasket kit from Amazon and bought a case of ATF from a Toyota dealer. These and the water pump I already did are just foreplay leading up to control arms I'm going to get to someday.
#32
Useful information but I think I'll let the dealership change my spark plugs.
#33
Pole Position
This thread inspired me. I got my new plugs at Advanced auto today. Oem plugs $100. I will put them in next week. Football takes precedence. I also ordered a transmission filter and gasket kit from Amazon and bought a case of ATF from a Toyota dealer. These and the water pump I already did are just foreplay leading up to control arms I'm going to get to someday.
As for the plugs, I'll tell you what, I don't know if it was my tools or what, but I had a really hard time keeping my spark plug socket on to the extension during this job. A real hard time. The tubes the plugs are in are tight...I kept loosing the socket down there and then I couldn't get the socket off the plug when it was installed. I wish I had a welder, I would have welded the socket to the extension.
Good luck with the rest of your repairs.
#34
Pole Position
How many miles are on the car? If you don't want to tackle the job you could probably find a independent shop to do it, because I wouldn't take it to Lexus...they'd probably charge you close to $1,000, when in actuality it should probably be $300.
Last edited by Doublebase; 01-03-16 at 05:18 AM.
#35
Football is number one, I agree. I'd never attempt to do any car repair over watching football.
As for the plugs, I'll tell you what, I don't know if it was my tools or what, but I had a really hard time keeping my spark plug socket on to the extension during this job. A real hard time. The tubes the plugs are in are tight...I kept loosing the socket down there and then I couldn't get the socket off the plug when it was installed. I wish I had a welder, I would have welded the socket to the extension.
Good luck with the rest of your repairs.
As for the plugs, I'll tell you what, I don't know if it was my tools or what, but I had a really hard time keeping my spark plug socket on to the extension during this job. A real hard time. The tubes the plugs are in are tight...I kept loosing the socket down there and then I couldn't get the socket off the plug when it was installed. I wish I had a welder, I would have welded the socket to the extension.
Good luck with the rest of your repairs.
#36
Lexus Fanatic
Not sure if I mentioned it in my DIY or not, but I used tape to hold the extension to the socket. As for getting the socket out of the hole, I used a pair of very long nose pliers or a magnet on a long flexible stem. No issues whatsoever.
#37
Pole Position
If I was using the proper tools from the beginning, the whole job would have been much easier...so it was my fault I wasn't.
#38
Lexus Fanatic
Well the good news is you're probably good for the remainder of your ownership and won't have to do it again.....or you're now a pro and can now get it done in half the time if you do. LOL
Last edited by roadfrog; 01-03-16 at 10:11 AM.
#39
Pole Position
Hey Kenny, when do you plan on doing your plugs ? We live not to far apart. I'm current at 75k miles and have been thinking about doing mine. Maybe we do both at the same time ?
#40
Let me do mine first, I work better taking my time alone. We should for sure meet up, Ill have you over here and you can see my shop at my house. Maybe we can do yours then if I didn't get too pissed off doing mine.
#41
I installed my spark plugs today. It took 2 hours and was not too tricky. As mentioned the engine has to be preyed away from the fenders a couple places to get the coils out. The battery and tray removal isn't bad. So $100 for the oem plugs at Advance Auto with their online coupon and I think 2 to 3 hours labor is fair. $100 to $140 labor rate depending on the repair shop. So $325 to $550 is the range. Anything over that is stealing.
#42
I installed my spark plugs today. It took 2 hours and was not too tricky. As mentioned the engine has to be preyed away from the fenders a couple places to get the coils out. The battery and tray removal isn't bad. So $100 for the oem plugs at Advance Auto with their online coupon and I think 2 to 3 hours labor is fair. $100 to $140 labor rate depending on the repair shop. So $325 to $550 is the range. Anything over that is stealing.
#43
Rather than prying the engine away from the frame, I would suggest what the manual says and removing the O-rings that are set within the cam covers around the spark plug tubes. In total, I would say it adds an extra 5 minutes of work to the overall process, so really not even a factor.
Now we know, thanks!
#44
Ah, I was wondering about that. I see that two members here posted that they had to pry the engine. It didn't seem to me that Lexus would allow that to be part of the procedure. I was thinking it might depend on what tool set a person had that could eliminate the need for prying the engine.
Now we know, thanks!
Now we know, thanks!
#45
Lexus Fanatic
FWIW, prying the engine away from the frame did not leave any marks or damage anything and the amount of prying for those one or two plugs is minimal (maybe a 1/4"). Very little effort or force is required.
Good to have an alternative though.
Good to have an alternative though.