Has anyone replaced spark plugs on 2007+ V6 2GR-FE?

[schott1984]

Tried doing a search and couldn't find much, I think a lot of these cars are still under 100k or people are just letting the dealers do it.

Just got my 100k tranny and coolant flush done and they said it's nearly $300 to replace plugs.

Has anyone here actually done it on a 2007 or newer? Do you have to take the intake plenum/manifold off or can you manage with extensions/u-joint socket combinations?

I plan on doing it at 120k which will probably be spring 2012, so I'm trying to do research now.

At the dealer when I asked about it the guy said "Well the BOOK says take the intake off, which is why it's a 2hour (at $104/hr) job." This led me to believe they actually do with without removing it since he emphasized the "BOOK SAYS" part.

Also, I have the Toyota service manual in PDF.

If I end up trying it and succeeding, maybe I will post a DIY... I'm just worried that I'll start it and not be able to do all of them (like the middle firewall side)...

Thanks!

[aznlunatic206]

Havent had mine replaced yet since the car is only a year old but the spark plugs are expensive, i believe i was quoted ~$14 if i remember correctly for each plug, so for 6 of them its already $84 not including tax since they last up to 100k. From the looks of how the intake manifold curves over the other side of the engine it would look almost impossible to do without removing the whole intake manifold.

[schott1984]

Originally Posted by aznlunatic206

Havent had mine replaced yet since the car is only a year old but the spark plugs are expensive, i believe i was quoted ~$14 if i remember correctly for each plug, so for 6 of them its already $84 not including tax since they last up to 100k. From the looks of how the intake manifold curves over the other side of the engine it would look almost impossible to do without removing the whole intake manifold.

Yeah, they told me $10 something for each plug and online that's about right. Just don't like the idea of paying them $208 in labor plus the parts...

[Cougs57]

I have been looking into this job as well. I have an 07 with 44k on it. The reason I want to change them is because the car is going on 5 years old and they have the original plugs. That is similar to doing an oil change once in a year period and you only drove ~2-3k miles. I am just anal about this sort of stuff.

[schott1984]

Originally Posted by Cougs57

I have been looking into this job as well. I have an 07 with 44k on it. The reason I want to change them is because the car is going on 5 years old and they have the original plugs. That is similar to doing an oil change once in a year period and you only drove ~2-3k miles. I am just anal about this sort of stuff.

Manual says 120k or 144 months... 12 years! So I wouldn't mess with em, dude!

[aznlunatic206]

honestly at 44k miles i wouldnt even worry about changing them. To schott1984, why not do it yourself?

[Pilot0617]

^ x1 and and you can do it you self, removing the intake manifold is easy only thing to look out for is the intake manifold gasket that should be replaced to prevent air leeks.

[schott1984]

Originally Posted by aznlunatic206

honestly at 44k miles i wouldnt even worry about changing them. To schott1984, why not do it yourself?

I posted this thread to help decide if I should do it myself. Have either of you guys actually done this?

[Cougs57]

I would do it yourself if I was in your shoes... Hands down. I think I am going to do mine as well. Whenever I buy a vehicle I do a tune up on it instantly. That way I know it has been done and I know what I have. If you do it, please do a DIY. I want to know how difficult the manifold is to take off. It appears to be a plastic one like the 1zz-fe motors. The metal ones on the 2zz were a PITA!!!

[ImJustMe55]

I haven't done it on my Camry yet, but I've done some FWD V6's before and usually taking the intake manifold off isn't that hard. But like Pilot0617 said watch out for the gasket, if it's torn or in bad shape replace it, and cover the intake holes so you don'd drop something in you engine cause it can be hard to get it out sometimes.

[Cougs57]

I have ordered all the parts for this. I went with the step below lazers for plugs and found them for around $6 a plug (parts store they are $10+). I got the complete intake manifold gasket set as well. Do I have to take the entire manifold off or just the portion covering the valve cover? I really think I will make a true DIY for this as no one has and plenty of people are anxious for instructions/direction on this project.

[arabianobsession]

You should replace the gasket no matter what-any gasket for that matter. Don't just replace it if it "looks bad". Last thing you want is to re-use the old gasket at 3k miles later, it blows. I've done a LOT of top-half engine work, gaskets are no joking matter.

[Cougs57]

My question was as follows, "do I have to take the entire manifold off or does it come off in sections?" Whatever I have to take off I will replace the gasket there. I am just not 100%.

[arabianobsession]

Don't worry, I was just putting it out there for everyone. I'm not positive what all will have to be taken off, my Cam has the 4 banger.

[BadChicken]

yes you have to take the whole plenum off, remove the intake tubing from the throttle body, unbolt the throttle body (4 bolts), leave the throttle body hooked up to everything and just let it hang there. remove the 4 allen head bolts on the front of the plenum, 2 nuts on the front of the plenum as well (cant remember if these are there or not), there are 2 brackets on the back of the plenum that need to be unbolted. the one on the drivers side is very simple to get to, the one on the pass. side is a little harder (easier if you have small hands), you can either unbolt this one from the plenum or the valve cover (whichever you find easier), then just lift off the plenum. I've done plenty of these and i can have it off the car in less then 10 minutes, pretty easy once you start working on it. hope this helps a little, dont be scared to change your own plugs on this motor, its not that bad