Sparkplug and wire question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

mario4346 · 05-02-2008, 10:50 AM

Bigbird's quote on another thread reads...."You only need to replace the wires and the plugs. You want to get OEM style plugs with the two ground electrodes because of the way the ignition system works. The Denso part number is PK20TR11. NGK makes them too, but I don't know the part number."...(NGK part no. BKR6EKPB11)

I have a '98 i4 auto w/80k miles. Can someone tell me if my wires and/or sparkplugs need to be changed or is it a case by case basis? Thanks.

Heat · 05-02-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mario4346

...Can someone tell me if my wires and/or sparkplugs need to be changed or is it a case by case basis? Thanks.

How long has it been since they've been changed? What does your owner's manual say about spark plug replacement?

Per my owner's manual for the '95 Camry, the spark plugs are to be changed every 60,000 miles or 6 years (72 months), whichever comes first. It's possible that your interval is different. And if the wires have never been changed, sure, change them. When you do this, be sure to change just one wire at a time to make sure you hook up the new wires correctly.

mario4346 · 05-02-2008, 12:42 PM

I don't think anything has ever been done on the car to be honest but I can't be sure since I bought the car used. I'm in the process of doing preventative maintenance on her to ensure many years of service.
Oh, and it didn't come w/an owner's manual either. Thanks for you recommendation regarding changing the plugs one at a time. Should I get OEM dealer plugs and wires? Would someone know what the gap space should be for the plugs? Thanks.

Heat · 05-02-2008, 01:12 PM

Go to a parts supply store like Autozone, Pepboys, etc and ask them what the right gap should be. I believe it would be 1.1 mm (0.043 inch), which is also what's in the ignition portion of the shop manual which used to be in a sticky here (I don't see it now).

Do a google search for ig.pdf , see what comes up.

But yes, definately change the plugs and wires if they are original. Also change the air filter at the same time.

mario4346 · 05-02-2008, 01:38 PM

Will do, thanks!

Heat · 05-02-2008, 03:15 PM

One more thing, go ahead and pick up a Haynes manual for your car. Will cost about $16 but will have tons of information for you. You can always sell it on ebay for about $10 after you eventually move on to your next vehicle.

Muldoon · 05-24-2008, 02:08 AM

Hey guys, i will hopefully be picking up new spark plugs tomorrow. Do you think it is worth checking out the Toyota dealership for the plugs, or will the price be too high? I'm going to look for NGK spark plugs and new wires, and a PCV valve as well.

***ASG14*** · 05-24-2008, 02:17 AM

For the wires, I'd personally recommend OEM from the dealer.

As for the plugs, get them elseware, as the dealer charges a crapload for them.

And as for preventative maintmence, before too long, you should get the timing belt and water pump changed if not done. Also, check the tranny fluid. If it is dark brown or black, get a flush. If it;s still redish, just do a drain and fill of the tranny pan.

Muldoon · 05-24-2008, 02:28 AM

ASG14,

Thanks for the reply. I did a transmission flush at 60K, about 9/10K miles ago...so I should be good on that end.

I'll have to find some stores around here as I'm somewhat new to the area and find the spark plugs.

Should I replace the timing belt now that I'm around 70K miles or wait until I hit 90,000? Also I have never changed out the water pump...is this something that I should have already done?