Time for new spark plugs?

[Loganwiththe'93]

Hey folks.

I have a quick and simple question. Is it time for new spark plugs? I've noticed my exhaust is very potent and my gas mileage is bad.
Not sure when they were replaced last, but I've owned the car for two years and they haven't been replaced in that amount of time.
If it helps, I have 134,xxx miles on it. Getting ready to do an oil change soon. (1993 5s-fe)

Thanks.

[bdy0003]

Take them out and compare them with all of these: http://www.autohausaz.com/html/spark...lug-wires.html

If they look like ones that look bad on the website, get NGKs or Denso sp. If there is something else wrong with your car that affects your plugs, then I would fix that first, then replace your plugs later.

[chronoti]

i'll say go for it, i just changed mine (i had to use a air chisels to do the job on the v6) and it running smoother and yours is so easy to do why not.

i'll say just get the ngk v-power cheap and actually the best over all, the copper conductor would work great for 60k miles since you dont have a waste spark ignition

[Loganwiththe'93]

Thanks for the advice guys. I do have something else electrical related to ask.

This last week, I was trying to find out why my backup lights didn't work. Haven't since I bought the car. So I finally did it this week. I looked in the trunk and found two wires that looked cut. A red wire with a blue stripe on it, and a green one right next to it. They were both outside the main harness, and were cut right behind where the support arm for the lid is. (I'll attatch a paint pad drawing, since I don't have access to a camera right now. Hope you like it. XD) It's where I scribbled a few circles.
I followed the red wire and it is indeed the wire that I needed so I reattached it, and viola! Works perfect. But then, I reconnected the green wire, and it seems to have shorted out the system, as the lights no longer worked, the Light Out warning on the dash was on, and when I pressed the brake, the 'R' on the instrument cluster lit up. I disconnected the green wire and all is fine again.
My question is, what is that green wire, and what the fetch happened?

EDIT- I can't include an attatchment apparently, so I'll just upload a picture later. Speculate away while I'm away from a camera and a network that dosen't block image hosting.

[JohnGD]

According to NGK's catalog, The Iridium-IX is listed for your application. You can order from Rockauto or get them from your local NAPA store.

For a couple of bucks more you can get an iridium plug with platinum ground electrodes (Laser Iridium). These can go up to 120K miles. But I rather not leave a plug in there that long. At least remove and check every 30K miles or so.

But if you want less expensive plugs then go with G-Power. These are thin center electrode platinums.


1993 TOYOTA CAMRY LE 2.2 L4 5S-FE FI DOHC
Spark Plug Part No. Stock No. Plug Gap Photo
Standard BKR6ES-11 5553 .044
V-Power BKR6E-11 2756 .044
G-Power BKR6EGP 7092 .044
Laser Platinum BKR6EP-11 * # 2978 .044
OE Laser Iridium IFR6T11 ^ 4589 .044
Iridium IX BKR6EIX-11 3764 .044

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/part_fi...uv/default.asp

Originally Posted by Loganwiththe'93

Hey folks.

I have a quick and simple question. Is it time for new spark plugs? I've noticed my exhaust is very potent and my gas mileage is bad.
Not sure when they were replaced last, but I've owned the car for two years and they haven't been replaced in that amount of time.
If it helps, I have 134,xxx miles on it. Getting ready to do an oil change soon. (1993 5s-fe)

Thanks.

[JohnGD]

There are many reason for smelly exhausts. At 134K miles you should check valve clearances and change the valve cover gasket set too. The oxygen sensor may be gone as well. Have you done a complete timing belt job? That includes water pump, oil seals, and pulleys? I'd even do the valve stem seals if you have friends who can help if you don't have the tools (for example, air compressor, valve holder hose, OHC valve spring compressor). It adds another hour on top of a complete timing belt job.

Originally Posted by Loganwiththe'93

Hey folks.

I have a quick and simple question. Is it time for new spark plugs? I've noticed my exhaust is very potent and my gas mileage is bad.
Not sure when they were replaced last, but I've owned the car for two years and they haven't been replaced in that amount of time.
If it helps, I have 134,xxx miles on it. Getting ready to do an oil change soon. (1993 5s-fe)

Thanks.

[Loganwiththe'93]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

There are many reason for smelly exhausts. At 134K miles you should check valve clearances and change the valve cover gasket set too. The oxygen sensor may be gone as well. Have you done a complete timing belt job? That includes water pump, oil seals, and pulleys? I'd even do the valve stem seals if you have friends who can help if you don't have the tools (for example, air compressor, valve holder hose, OHC valve spring compressor). It adds another hour on top of a complete timing belt job.

The valve cover gasket was checked, the Oxygen sensor was something that I think may be a culprit as well. Yes, the water pump, belt, and seals were replaced. I don't think pulleys were though.

I tried checking my spark plugs, and I couldn't get 3 out. The problem is that when I pulled out the 'stems' leading to the plugs, the rubber end didn't stick with the stems, so I couldn't get to the plugs. However, on the one that I didn't have that issue with, I pulled it out and it seemed in good condition. I noticed a fair bit of oil dripping off of the end of one of the tubes, so I stuck a wadded up paper towel in the hole and tried to clear away some of the oil. Surprisingly, there wasn't alot, apparently just alot on the tube? Meh.
My car hates me. Oh well.

[JohnGD]

Looks like you may have to reseal the spark plug tube if the leak is not from the top cover grommet.

Dielectric grease should help wire boot removal the next time. I always use a small dab of antiseize 3 threads away from the plug tip as well and torqued to 13 lb/ft. This helps prevent the spark plug metal casing from stretching and cracking the insulator from over-tightening.

Looks like new NGK wires and Iridium plugs are called for.

http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...une-Up_Kit.htm

Originally Posted by Loganwiththe'93

The valve cover gasket was checked, the Oxygen sensor was something that I think may be a culprit as well. Yes, the water pump, belt, and seals were replaced. I don't think pulleys were though.

I tried checking my spark plugs, and I couldn't get 3 out. The problem is that when I pulled out the 'stems' leading to the plugs, the rubber end didn't stick with the stems, so I couldn't get to the plugs. However, on the one that I didn't have that issue with, I pulled it out and it seemed in good condition. I noticed a fair bit of oil dripping off of the end of one of the tubes, so I stuck a wadded up paper towel in the hole and tried to clear away some of the oil. Surprisingly, there wasn't alot, apparently just alot on the tube? Meh.
My car hates me. Oh well.