In case you were wondering, you do NOT need to remove the plenum to change the spark plugs, i did mine without removing it. What you need is a lot of socket extensions, some masking tape or electrical tape, rubber gloves for your hands, and plenty of patience!
Now you have to remove those 3
tough ones in back. the one in the back of the engine next to the firewall on passenger side is relatively easy and is good practice for the other two. Use a 1/4" socket, or box open end wrench 10 mm size for the spark plug coil bolt. Remove the bolt, use care not to drop it. Unclip the electrical connector (the 3 plugs in front show you how). Twist and remove the coil.
fool around with your socket extensions until you find one that fits just right. (Wrap tape around the socket extension and socket to hold them together so you are not fishing the socket out of the hole later!) use your 1/4" ratchet, it is the smallest, and an adapter to remove the plug a 1/8 turn at a time.
Now the last two, in back. I accesed the middle plug by reaching my arm through under the plenum, passenger side, and also by looking and feeling through the gap in the plenum. I used this tool:
It is called a sidewinder, i got it from harbor freight for $10 and paid for itself when i did the plugs. Not sure how i would have gotten the middle plug out without it.
The final two i got out by manipulating various socket combinations and sizes into the tiny space available. The smaller the socket wrench, the better as is painfully obvious there is very little room for access to the rear plugs. I recommend the rubber gloves because when i got done with this chore, my hands were scraped and bleeding a little. The trade off vs paying somebody else to do this vs you doing all this yourself is something you have to decide for yourself.
It can be done but you may not find it easy. And set aside several hours time for a healthy fudge factor before doing this job. IMO It was still easier my way than removing the plenum.
1990 5spd V6 Camry (Still kicking at 393,000km) 1991 Celica GTS -- Pappa needs a 3SGTE...and AWD for all this friggin' snow
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