5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Actually it's 120K miles or 12 years under the terms of the Emission Control Warranty. For this model, replacement interval is 150,000 miles. But replacing the timing belt is 90K miles and it is recommended that the pulgs be pulled to aid in the replacement. So I replaced my plugs when I replaced the belt. I have used the OEM plugs in my 2002 and they work fine.
I changed the plugs on mine at about 80 000. The front plugs are of course a breeze, the rears are going to be problematic (unless you want to remove the plenum which some people actually do). I managed to change all 3 of the rears without removing the plenum but unless you have very small hands (i mean child size) it is like building a ship in a bottle.
You will need every tool that looks like it might help, and a roll of masking tape to tape the sockets and various extension together so they dont fall apart while you are wrestling with getting the back plugs out. I used a 3/8 set of sockets but i think you'd actually be better off using a 1/4 socket set and some adapter for the spark plug socket itself (since they are all size 3/8" for the square hole).
I bought a tool from harbor freight called sidewinder and it cost $10 and was worth every penny. It is a 3/8" socket wrench that you can turn your socket by twisting a handle on the end (instead of moving the handle back and forth). I could not have gotten out the back middle plug without this clever tool.
If you change them yourself it CAN be done but count on getting very intimate with the engine as you will be lying on it for a long time wrestling these plugs out, they are all a MOFO to access. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands, assemble every tool that might help, and set aside PLENTY of time for the chore is my advise. And please do use antisieze on the threads if you own this car a long time the LAST thing you want is one of those dam rear plugs seizing in place - Good luck!
Last edited by AlmightyCamry777; 11-26-2009 at 03:42 PM.
I do have some photos in my gallery that show some ways to improve access to the rear plugs. Any way you look at it it will take a while to perform the job, a quarter turn at a time. You do not need to remove the plenum.
I'm 6' 2", so small hands would help, but big hands can do the job.
I have 2000 ES300 yesterday i replaced all plugs. original were NGK.
Miles on car is 132K.
Rear were little hard. I used two 3" extensions. I have to do little engineering on plug socket.
i opened front first to learn. 5/8" plug socket has little rubber piece which hold plug while you pulling up.
It was too tight so after screw plug in, extension was loosing its grip. i took rubber piece out and fix it where not hold plug too tight.
Front took me 10 minits where rear took 50 minit. I did go with Denso Iridium 120K miles spark plug from toyota.
Charge me $8.50 each. No oil were found on plugs. good news.
The 2005 and up 4cy's Camry's take the iridium plugs that don't need to be changed until 120k miles. You can do it when you like but that is the recomendation from Toyota. I work at magauto. com which is a Toyota dealership. Email me if you have any other questions or concerns.
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