I am planning on doing the spark plugs on my 2004 Lexus RX330. I have read the forum on spark plug changes here for the rear plugs. After looking at the car and trying to fit my hand behind the air intake for the 3 bolts that need to be removed, my thinking I would rather spend another 20-30 minutes to remove the wiper cowl. Does anyone have instructions on how to remove the wiper cowl? and do you think it would make the job easier with it removed.

 

Welcome.

I did watch a video or two on youtube showing the job, neither removed the wiper cowl. They did give some tips for removing the intake bolts, though. I haven't had the time or weather to tackle mine yet.

 

Had my TB and H20 pump replaced and while doing it, had my plugs done. The fastest way is to remove the cowl. I saw how it was done. In fact a couple of Lexus Tech friends told me that it is the best way to do it. You can do it the hard way, but why?

 

Silly me I did my friend’s ES330 Spark Plugs and I did it the hard-blind way. Was so stressed but got it done. Never again. Just remove the wipers and the cowl.

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...n-removal.html
Its for a first gen, but it looks similar to me

 

Doing the he same job this week. please take some pics ;-)

 

Worked on the Lexus on Sunday for the rear plugs, I followed Alchemist directions and they were very helpful, Thanks. The rear plugs are in and a new pvc valve installed. I cannot get that middle bolt for the air intake to start threading into hole. The left one is in and I thought I had the middle one in but it will not thread in. Seems like there is a 1/4 gap between bracket and air intake. So for now I am stuck at this point. I started to remove wipers but they did not want come off either and I did not want to force at this point.

 

I haven't done mine as plugs and coils were replaced at dealer prior to my purchase, so hopefully someone will chime in. However, I was thinking about it and it reminds me of when I did my air filter for the first time. I had a gap about 1/4" too between the 2 housings. I had to re align the stationary nut and washer that is part of the system to slide into a groove in the plastic bottom of the air filter housing. That makes me think you are having a similar or same problem. I could not get the threads to bite as there was too large a gap when the washer/nut was out of it's groove. If you can see it, look at how the left one is working and connected at the nut/washer side and try to see how the center one is off. Sounds to me like it's above the groove it's meant to be in, preventing the nut from threading.

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ug-change.html

Its for a 350, but should be similar, and one heck of a write up

 

I removed wiper cowl last night, not too bad to remove, had to buy a wiper arm puller for the wipers, so I take off passenger arm with the tool no problem, I go to put it on the drivers side arm and it does not fit. So what I did to remove drivers side arm is to grab the short arm next to base, and kind of pull it up from there. So it did come off. With the cowl off it does give you more working room for the back 3 bolts. I will take some pictures and post. I'm still not back together, it was 11:00 pm and I quite at that point. I might be going for the record of the most time spent to change spark plugs.

 

I attached picture so you can see the backside of wiper cowl. You can see in the picture where one side slides up into windshield and the other side just clips into frame with rubber clips. By looking at picture should help you to remove cowling. Once that part is removed you will remove wiper assembly 5 bolts, and than the metal cowling another 4 bolts across the top and 4 nuts that attach to struts. I would recommend removing the wiper cowling for spark plug job.

 

Here are a couple pics from yesterday. During my valve cover and spark plug replacement 2005 RX330

Remove the bolts holding the wiper on. The driver wiper can be removed easier with hood closed. Passenger wipe must be removed with hood open.

 

This thread has a lot of good stuff for the RX330 Rear Plug-Ignition Coil change.