More On 2GR-Fe Spark Plug Change

[Mike Murrell]

Member inov8 has provided the fine document on getting to the rear spark plugs. It's mentioned here in more than one thread.

That pdf is an excerpt of the Fuel section in the '06 Avalon Repair manual.

Tonight I changed the oil and air filter on my wifes '06 Avalon Xl. While I was at it I removed the large silver shroud-type engine cover on top of the motor to have a look at things.

inox8's pdf covers the lions share of it.

I did notice that access to the back two(2) nut/bolts of the intake air surge tank(labeled i in the pdf) are not accessible without some more parts removal.

I started googling this task and came up with the following. The large plastic piece that runs from one side of car to the other - the large black one that the wiper arms go thru must be removed in order to access rear nuts and bolts on intake air surge tank.


http://www.toyotafans.net/changing-r...-5l-t22925.htm


There may also be more parts removal on the drivers side. Didn't dig that deep - but was suspicious by merely staring in that area.

It's work - but a can-do for those of us who enjoy wrenching and distrust repair shops.

[CISA93]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

Member inov8 has provided the fine document on getting to the rear spark plugs. It's mentioned here in more than one thread.

That pdf is an excerpt of the Fuel section in the '06 Avalon Repair manual.

Tonight I changed the oil and air filter on my wifes '06 Avalon Xl. While I was at it I removed the large silver shroud-type engine cover on top of the motor to have a look at things.

inox8's pdf covers the lions share of it.

I did notice that access to the back two(2) nut/bolts of the intake air surge tank(labeled i in the pdf) are not accessible without some more parts removal.



I started googling this task and came up with the following. The large plastic piece that runs from one side of car to the other - the large black one that the wiper arms go thru must be removed in order to access rear nuts and bolts on intake air surge tank.


http://www.toyotafans.net/changing-r...-5l-t22925.htm


There may also be more parts removal on the drivers side. Didn't did that deep - but was suspicious by merely staring in that area.

It's work - but a can-do for those of us who enjoy wrenching and distrust repair shops.

This is the posting found on the link provided by Mike Murrell....then found a second posting in 2011....so which one is accurate?

To answer my own question...I spoke with Toyota Master Technician Doug at Lowe Toyota in Warner Robins. He told me that he had just done his first tune-up on the 3.5L engine a couple of weeks earlier and here's what you've got to do to get to those rear plugs: 1. Remove windshield wiper blades (this was the hardest part, separating the blade assemblies from the tapered shafts!). 2. Remove the plastic cowling (easy after you figure out where the retaining tabs are). 3. Remove the wiper motor and drive assembly (easy). 4. Remove the metal cowling (easy). Now you have access to reach behind the upper intake manifold to remove the nuts that secure the two metal braces that support the upper manifold (leave the braces attached to the upper manifold, just remove the nuts at the valve cover). Remove the upper intake manifold and NOW you have easy access to the rear coils/spark plugs. You usually can reuse the "O-ring" type seals between the upper and lower manifold. Make sure that you get all the vacuum hoses and electrical connectors hooked back up to the right places when you are going back together. Good Luck!


You can remove the spark plugs just by removing the spark plug wires in the rear, make use of Swival and extension. Work on both sides, need just to remove 3 coils.

[Mike Murrell]

I take it the following is the 2nd posting.


"You can remove the spark plugs just by removing the spark plug wires in the rear, make use of Swival and extension. Work on both sides, need just to remove 3 coils."


I would agree...you can remove the spark plugs just by removing the spark plug wires in the rear......but.

It's getting to those spark plug wires in the rear.

Air intake surge tank....I think that's what Toyota calls it - some use the term plenum...has to come off. inov8 provided some useful info for a good part of the task.

I can only speak for the '06 XL Avalon.

I see no way you can remove the nuts/bolts on the far back-end of the plenum unless you remove the grille mentioned above(wiper arms come off first). I don't care what kind of swivels you have. There is simply no room to get back there with the grille in place.

My 2 cents.

[CISA93]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

I take it the following is the 2nd posting.


"You can remove the spark plugs just by removing the spark plug wires in the rear, make use of Swival and extension. Work on both sides, need just to remove 3 coils."


I would agree...you can remove the spark plugs just by removing the spark plug wires in the rear......but.

It's getting to those spark plug wires in the rear.

Air intake surge tank....I think that's what Toyota calls it - some use the term plenum...has to come off. inov8 provided some useful info for a good part of the task.

I can only speak for the '06 XL Avalon.


I see no way you can remove the nuts/bolts on the far back-end of the plenum unless you remove the grille mentioned above(wiper arms come off first). I don't care what kind of swivels you have. There is simply no room to get back there with the grille in place.

My 2 cents.

I have a 2005...it's still the same engine as the 2011, with a few revisions. Anyway, I've seen the area and unless your the rubber man from Fanastic Four, I don't see how you can access the spark plugs.

I have #1 coil brought up on a code, so I need to change out the coil, but while I'm there, since I have to remove the intake, I'm just going to replace the spark plugs and the other 2 coils. I really dislike having to go back in to do this again. Looking at Denso coils as replacements. In another posting someone mentioned Orielly because they sell "lifetime" coils. Ha! Been my experience that you'll end up replacing these lifetime sooner than later.

Any suggestions? Ignition coils on my Avalon are made by Diamond, since we all know that all auto companies outsource these components manufacturing I tend to trust Japanese-made electrical products or American, but company name has alot to do with it. Beck Arnley, Denso are also made here in the states.

[Mike Murrell]

Wish I could help with a coil suggestion, but like you, I tend to lean in the direction of Japanese-made....dealer parts.

Auto-Zone has a lot of "lifetime guaranteed" parts and you'll spend a good part of the rest of your life pulling them off the car and taking them back. I find O'reilley's parts to be far more reliable than AZs - just my opinion.

Major items like an ign. coil....I always go to the dealer.

Would also replace the plenum gasket. Haynes manual for 2007-2011 Camry(has yack about our 2GR-FE motors) says this is rubber and can sometimes be reused...I would not trust it for reuse unless it was young.

[CISA93]

I totally agree...I've got a buddy at an import parts shop. The OE manufacturer also makes their own and less then the Toyota one. Airtex is the company, because Toyota will change manufacturers from time to time. So I ordered three and the gasket. It's a plastic intake and for the headache and the little cost of the gasket....not worth it. You're right on the money on this one....thanks for the second opinion. I've already ordered these parts. However, still don't see why (after removing plenum) why remove the cowling under the windshield wipers....I'm going to try to get to them w/o doing this step, but if not, then off with the cowling. This sounds like a PITA, but it's a car and they are mechanical and they also need service.

Wish more people thought like you!