Changing the spark plugs on a Camry V6 2005

[dpapas]

It took me few days but finally I made it. So for all those of you trying to do this follow my steps and it should be done in couple hours. I am not going to waste time with the front ones.
For the ones towards the firewall start with the passenger side.
1.Remove the PCV Valve and tube.Put a tape over the hole of the PCV valve. Remove the front suspension brace between the 2 shock towers. There is a small bracket attached on the passengers side shock tower.holding a tube. remove bolts. Now you have plenty of space to reach the 1 and 3 plugs. Remove both before you install the new ones. Start with #3 and then move to #1. I spend most of my time trying to remove the electric plugs.
2. For the #5 , need to remove the throttle. Good idea to drain a quart of coolant first. Remove air cleaner cover together with the intake hose. Remove tubes attached to the throttle.Now you are left with the throttle.
Remove the 2 bolts on top and 2 nuts (lower ones). There is also a bolt on the side towards the firewall.remove it with a # 10 wrench. It is very accessible.
Now you should be able to reach easily the # 5 plug, I made the mistake trying to remove for 45 min., the electric plug first. Not easy and gave up. To my surprise after removed the retaining bolt the whole thing came out easily. I used two 3" extensions for all three spark plugs. You don't even need a swivel . Just a 3/8 ratchet .
I took photos for the last part but i cannot see how to attach them to this thread.

[Donald E. George]

dpapas. Did the plugs come out easy or were they tight after being in the engine for so long? I have this procedure coming up on my 2004 V6 and I am worried about the plugs being seized. How much force did it take to break the plugs loose? Did you use anti-seize on the new plug threads? Did you torque the plugs? Regards.

[dpapas]

The engine was completely cool and plugs unscrew with very little force. Using the new plugs i applied the anti-seize compound on the new ones. I have a torque wrench but it is too big to fit in that space. I used a regular ratchet. I new how many turns , after hand tightening the plugs first, it will take , since i used the torque for the front. It is about one full turn . Other people say 3/4 . Just do not over exert force . Specially if you use a short handle ratchet , you will know when to stop.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

Replace the valve cover gaskets and crush washers while you're at it...

ASG14 (or Adam) came up and did mine for me in the fall...

[dpapas]

also since you have removed the throttle, use a throttle cleaner and remove any carbon deposits. I re used the same gasket.

[dpapas]

[bronzemaxell]

Originally Posted by dpapas

also since you have removed the throttle, use a throttle cleaner and remove any carbon deposits. I re used the same gasket.

one time my friend re-used the metal gaskets from intake plenum gasket, throttle body gasket, and egr valve gasket, rear valve cover leaked, have to remove all to acces the vc gasket. very unlucky, it appeared to be a vaccum leak, the engine would idle rough, like choking/dying/shaking, when give a little gas to raise the rpm, then sound normal on higher rpm. many gasket are design to be one time use. maybe you are the lucky one.

the rear 3 spark plugs would normally take total of 30 minutes with many different length of 1/4" or 5/8" extension, in 2", 4" 6" and swival joint. do it from top, without remove intake plenum and throttle body.

[Mike Murrell]

Does the 2005 Camry - V-6 have the 2GR-FE motor?

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

^ no

[Mike Murrell]

That explains why I was confused about the methodlogy offered here.

2GR-FE 6 cyl.....

You remove the wiper arms/blades and the cowling that runs across the back in order to gain access to 2 nuts/bolts at the back of what some refer to as the plenum. Until that's done - the plenum isn't coming off.

Sounds like pre-2GR-FE might be a tad easier.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

^ my 1mz is just like you explained, had to take off the wiper blades, undo the bolts etc etc

[core2kid]

Run to the garage during commercials and make it back without missing any part of the show. The beauty of replacing plugs in an L4 in under 5 minutes.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

it's an I4 (Inline) not an L4.

[core2kid]

Originally Posted by Punks_Not_Dead5

it's an I4 (Inline) not an L4.

Haha, yea L know. My keyboard sucks at times, I'm just too lazy to get one. Typo's don't matter much on forums and Facebook.