spark plugs.

[sandman81]

went to change my spark plugs and i got pissed it seems the rear 3 are blocked by the intake manifold. is there an easy way around this or am i going to need to remove the intake manifold.

[golfgod]

Originally Posted by sandman81

went to change my spark plugs and i got pissed it seems the rear 3 are blocked by the intake manifold. is there an easy way around this or am i going to need to remove the intake manifold.

No, you dont have to remove but it will take some special tools and some playing around. Try this.....Just for kicks I went out to see if I could get at the rear. The trick was using my cheap 3/8" wobble extensions with spark plug socket. The stack up was...spark plug socket, then 3" extension, 2", 1" and then a stub swivel handle craftsman ratchet. Tip...had to drop some of the pieces in one at a time because the entire stack up wont slide in tube all together. This came from this link
99 Avalon spark plugs

[golfgod]

Here is some more info I just found in the 3 & 4 gen Camry forum

Changing V6 Spark Plugs

[tommyd]

I was able to get mine with a flex extention and a flex head ratchet. The first time I did it it took about an hour to get the ratchet stack up right, but the last time I did it it was about a 15 minute job.

[clementi]

how often should you replace spark plugs on an avalon?

[TMack409]

Originally Posted by clementi

how often should you replace spark plugs on an avalon?

If you use OEM plugs on the 1MZ-FE engine, the factory says to replace them every 60K. Truthfully, I think they can go another 20K with no ill effects. In fact, many here probably are still on their original plugs....

My personal opinion is that anything over 90-100K miles adds unnecessary stress to the rest of the system ('has to work harder - with wider gaping).

[clementi]

thanks, I guess I'm guess for some new ones in a few thousand miles. Do different name brand spark plugs really work that much better than OEM Toyota ones?

[TMack409]

Originally Posted by clementi

thanks, I guess I'm guess for some new ones in a few thousand miles. Do different name brand spark plugs really work that much better than OEM Toyota ones?

In my opinion - no. And the OEM plugs are cheaper at the dealership than just about anywhere. About $9.00 each.

[sickwilly]

I got in there with a standard ratchet and extender. Very limited movement, which makes the tightening and loosening a slow process, but its doable without removing the intake.

[TMack409]

Originally Posted by sickwilly

I got in there with a standard ratchet and extender. Very limited movement, which makes the tightening and loosening a slow process, but its doable without removing the intake.

Finally, someone who does it the same way I do...LOL I really thought I was doing something wrong

[leadsled toy]

It took me about 40 minutes to do all 6 plugs last weekend w/ two universal swivels, two 5" extensions and a socket wrench. Amazingly easy, just hard to see, you have to do it by feel on some of the rear ones. Don't forget anti-sieze on plugs and dielectric grease on boots.

[SteveBa]

I would go with the original mfg. ND or NGK and get the Iridium. The claim is that they last 100k miles. Anyway, that is what I did. I had previously replaced them with another brand and it seems that it did not run that well.