Hello good people. My 09 RX is at 104K miles and I'd like to replace the plugs and rear coil packs this Spring. We also have an 09 ES350 that my wife drives and I maintain. I replaced the plugs/coil packs on hers last year and it wasn't that bad after removing the cowel cover for better access.

The engine in my RX looks to be stuffed further back under the firewall. Are those rear plugs more difficult to swap than the ones in our ES350? Can anyone chime in to agree or disagree?

 

pretty rare that people will have done a spark plug replacement on both of these cars so a stretching question... it's not a hard job just time consuming

I can tell you from recent experience that the front plugs take maybe 15 mins, the backs take about 4 hours for me... while there I would recommend replacing the spark plug coil black plastic connectors as they get very brittle with age/heat and cost very little take only a couple minutes to "de-prong" and replace, also replace the EGR or PCV valve while back there that was less than $10 mine was completely gummed up so not functioning.

 

Have a look at the length of the es hood to the rx hood...As you notice the rx cowl is higher up. Once you get the wiper transmission & cowl off, it goes easier. Yeah there is one bind bolt to.

 

Additionally consider replacing the rear bank valve cover gasket on these RX3xx which typically begins to harden and leak. This can be challenging, as the wiring looms limit access. If you decide not to DIY, be sure to have the mechanics replace the VC gasket along the way -- the bulk of the cost will be labor.

 

Worth doing the spark plug tube seals too. Mine were rock hard and letting oil through

 

I appreciate the feedback. Good tips!