Replace spark plugs 2001 Camry 4 cyl

[ericwilson54]

I would like to change the spark plugs in my 2001 Camry LE 4 Cyl. I'm definitely no auto mechanic but it seems easy enough. Can anyone tell me if it is worth dealing with myself or should I take it to a garage?

[CamryWilly]

This is an excellent DIY...makes you feel good about yourself too!


The best advice I have is this, get the Haynes manual...these books are hours of fun.

And here's the plus...the 5S-FE is in a V6 engine compartment so there's A LOT of space and this makes this car very easy to repair yourself.

Even my mechanic thanks me and cuts off a couple of hours on the bill when I bring the Cam in...

So have some fun...Haynes manuals go for 30$ or so and they are paid for after the first job you do on the car!(And I should know, it saved me 300$ so far...)

[ericwilson54]

Do I really have to buy Denso or NGK plugs? They seem difficult to find. Will Bosch work just as well?

[epic22]

NGK. the only brand I trust

[Hajoca]

Do not buy the bosch plugs, use either the Denso or NGK.
Yes they do cost more.
You can use NGK regular plugs as spec'ed on sparkplugs.com, but the claimed service life will be less than 100,000 Kms. But you save money up front, but will do that again sooner.

[CamryWilly]

Japanese car=NGK

German car=Bosch

The two don't mix it's just like that...

[hooRAH]

Originally Posted by ericwilson54

Do I really have to buy Denso or NGK plugs? They seem difficult to find. Will Bosch work just as well?

NGK are hard to find? They stock them at autozone.

[Mike Gerber]

Use only the recommend NGK or Denso plugs that are listed in your owner's manual. The recommended plugs have a double ground electrode. I would stick with those plugs.

If you are going to do this change yourself, I recommend getting a long 3/8 inch drive spark plug socket with an attached extension on it. By that, I mean one that has the 5/8 inch spark plug socket permanently attached to the extension. Many auto parts stores now carry this tool. If you use the conventional type of 5/8 spark plug socket, once you tighten down the plug in the head, the socket usually sticks on the plug when you pull the extension out. That socket can be a real PITA to remove from the spark plug way down in the spark plug well. Also, be sure to purchase some antiseize compound and apply some to the threads of the plugs before you install them in the head. This is very important. You want to be able to remove them from the head when the time comes.

Mike

[TMetalMan]

When I changed my plugs in my '97 5SFE I just used a regular spark plug socket duct-taped onto a ~8" long 3/8" plug extension.

[Mike Gerber]

I used to use electrical tape on the square end of the extension and then jam the spark plug socket on to that. This tool makes it a lot easier.

Mike