Possible - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

wontonjohnny · 10-11-2002, 12:19 AM

I DID IT
i jsut changed my plugs with out removing the plenum.
its actually pretty easy, a little tight but can be done.
it may look crowded back there but i believe they designed it so it can be done without removing the intake plenum.

just thought id let you guys know, cause i know i was sorta affriad to try it with out knowing if it would work.

if this has inspired anyone to DIY, id be glad to help

soundlzrd · 10-11-2002, 12:49 AM

How long did it take? how much work was it?

wontonjohnny · 10-11-2002, 01:26 AM

ah took maybe an hour but now i could do it in half that time for sure.

not much work at all front plugs are simple need no explaining

in the back bank youll need to make some room to unplug the plugs.
i only had to detach 3 electrical clips by the throttle body (youll see them above the distributor on the 3vzfe) and also removed the hose above the distibutor, it goes from and back into the intake hose.
The above is for the right plug

The other two plugs are more accesable from the passenger side.
on this side i only needed to unplug a hose that blocks access to the plugs, not sure what its called but i think i carries oil into the block..... its a small hose connected into a white 90 degree elbow tube. nothing spilled out.

the hardest part i would say is poping up the wires. i did it with my fingers(scratched up my knuckles pretty bad) if i were to do it again i would now tie a rope around the neck of the boot and pop it up.

now with the boots out (dont have to totally remove jsut leave them back there to the side) the holes can be reached from the firewall side in.
you'll need two 5 inch extentions. drop in the spark plug socket, then from the firewall side snake one extension in at an angle towards the hole(youll see what i mean) follow with the other extension. and repeat.

hope that helps.

soundlzrd · 10-11-2002, 09:45 AM

Sound like a pain, but not worth what the dealership charges.

wontonjohnny · 10-11-2002, 11:13 AM

what do they charge?

Irishjerf · 04-10-2003, 03:50 PM

wontonjohny, thanx for the help, i have to do this now, b/c one of my wires broke . . .i'm having trouble . . . . .do i need a universal socket for this?? or can i do w/o it . . it seems like i would need more than 2 five inch extensions . . .do u have instant messenger or something? cuz i'd really like to talk to ya, or anyone that has done this before . .htanx alot

wontonjohnny · 04-10-2003, 05:33 PM

yeah youll need the spark plug socket unless you have another way of getting the plug out...
i found 2 five inch extentions work the best.... any long then that get hard to snake in.... theres barely any room back there ... youll have to drop the socket in first then one 5 inch extension after the other followed by the wratchet... takign out the plug its tricky too i think ....

wontonjohnny · 04-10-2003, 05:33 PM

i have msn messenger....
wontonjohnny@msn.com

Irishjerf · 04-10-2003, 05:45 PM

ok thanx, i dont have msn . .but anyway . . .i got back there and i can get the spark plug unscrewed, but now i can't get it out of their, its about 6 inches deep . .any suggestions??? i'm thinking a magnet, but i dont have one . . . . .it would be great if the socket was magnetized . . . .if ya got an idea lemme know . thanx again

Irishjerf · 04-10-2003, 07:57 PM

ok thanx, yeah this is definitely possible . . if i could do it . .hahaha . . .i fixed my one cylinder that had a broken wire, tomorrow i will do the distributor cap, rotor, and other wires and plugs . . . .they told me this was like 350 dollars . hahah fuck that, i'm soo happy i can do this on my own . . thanx for the help wontonjonny

wontonjohnny · 04-10-2003, 09:04 PM

use a spark plug socket

it has a rubber insert that fits over the neck of the plug .... or you could try using the original spark plug boot or a hose that fits would work too....