2002 Sienna Spark Plugs

I changed out the front bank of plugs on my 2002 Sienna with no
problems. I can get to the back bank to get the clips off of the
coils, but I can't get enough torque on my ratchet to loosen the plugs.
I've read where others have had success getting the back row of plugs
out without removing the plenum, but I can't understand how they could
turn the ratchet. Has anyone done this that can give me some advice?
I gather the V6 Camry is similar.

If I have to take off the plenum, I have the Haynes manual, but it
leaves a lot to be desired in terms of its detail. Has anyone taken
off the plenum? How does one releive pressure on the fuel system? I
don't see where Haynes covers this.

Finally, I'm thinking of breaking down and buying the factory service
manual. Is Toyota the only option?

Thanks.

"jim" <jacked_72@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1144868589.433395.21380@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>I changed out the front bank of plugs on my 2002 Sienna with no
> problems. I can get to the back bank to get the clips off of the
> coils, but I can't get enough torque on my ratchet to loosen the plugs.
> I've read where others have had success getting the back row of plugs
> out without removing the plenum, but I can't understand how they could
> turn the ratchet. Has anyone done this that can give me some advice?
> I gather the V6 Camry is similar.[/color]

I've never tried to do this on a Sienna myself, you may want to try a
universal joint on a socket extension.
[color=blue]
>
> If I have to take off the plenum, I have the Haynes manual, but it
> leaves a lot to be desired in terms of its detail. Has anyone taken
> off the plenum? How does one releive pressure on the fuel system? I
> don't see where Haynes covers this.[/color]

One releives pressure on the fuel system by closing your eyes and mouth,
loosening one of the connections, and taking a gasolene shower. You can
reduce the shower somehwat by putting your wrenches on the joints, wrapping
a rag around the joint and wrenches, and then loosening by feel.
[color=blue]
>
> Finally, I'm thinking of breaking down and buying the factory service
> manual. Is Toyota the only option?
>
> Thanks.
>[/color]

The only true factory service manual is from Toyota. It also has the most
detail about a particular vehicle.

If you don't want to lay out a lot of money and only need occasional extra
detail, you can purchase online access to the service manuals at
techinfo.toyota.com for U.S. $10/day. So, you can download the info you
need plus any info you think you might need in the future and not invest in
the entire manual.

--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

To relieve the fuel pressure, why not pull the fuel pump fuse and then
crank the car a few times. Thats what I've always done (not on my
Toyota) before replacing fuel filters.

Regards,
Nirav

If you can get a socket, extension, and wratchet on the sparkplug, then
you've already gotten farther than most. You either need to pull harder or
get a longer wratchet. Don't be fooled, it is a pain in the ass to change
these things. It can take an experienced tech a good 30 mins just to do
the three rear plugs, and Siennas are even harder because of the cowl.
One thing that may give you more space: there is a ground strap that
secures to the right side of the intake manifold with a 12mm socket.
Should be 3 or 4 brown wires with a slip ring. Take that ground strap off
and you should be able to get more of your arm under the manifold.
Personally, I use a 3" extension, socket, and a 6" wratchet for all
three. I get two from the passenger side and one from the driver side.
Hope this helps.

"njmodi" <njmodi2@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1144871926.049695.307990@t31g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> To relieve the fuel pressure, why not pull the fuel pump fuse and then
> crank the car a few times. Thats what I've always done (not on my
> Toyota) before replacing fuel filters.
>
> Regards,
> Nirav
>[/color]

I would imagine that if you pull the fuel pump fuse and crank the engine,
there is nothing to push the fuel out of the fuel line and into the engine.
It is an interesting idea, although I have never seen any technician at a
dealership try it.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

>I changed out the front bank of plugs on my 2002 Sienna with no[color=blue]
> problems. I can get to the back bank to get the clips off of the
> coils, but I can't get enough torque on my ratchet to loosen the plugs.
> I've read where others have had success getting the back row of plugs
> out without removing the plenum, but I can't understand how they could
> turn the ratchet. Has anyone done this that can give me some advice?
> I gather the V6 Camry is similar.
>[/color]
On my 2000 Sienna, I carefully move the smallest ratchet under the back side
of the plenum before connecting to the socket. There are plenty of space
back there if you can reach it (hint: small long hand would help). The only
thing I had to remove is the PCV hose on the passenger side under the
plenum.

Ray - but there is pressure in the lines right? so when the injector
opens, the existing pressure in the lines should force the fuel out.
Everytime I've done this, the car fires for a second, sputters and then
dies. Subsequent starting just results in cranking without any
combustion (i.e. no fuel delivery).

When I undo the fuel filter hose after that, some fuel drains, but
there is no spray or residual pressure.

Perhaps I'm looking at it too simplistically :)

Regards,
Nirav

"njmodi" <njmodi2@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1144892637.137788.130850@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Ray - but there is pressure in the lines right? so when the injector
> opens, the existing pressure in the lines should force the fuel out.
> Everytime I've done this, the car fires for a second, sputters and then
> dies. Subsequent starting just results in cranking without any
> combustion (i.e. no fuel delivery).
>
> When I undo the fuel filter hose after that, some fuel drains, but
> there is no spray or residual pressure.
>
> Perhaps I'm looking at it too simplistically :)
>
> Regards,
> Nirav
>[/color]

Yes, there should be some residual pressure in the lines, but it is not like
cutting a fire hose. Actually, you are not looking at it too
simplistically. IMO, you're making the job more difficult than it needs to
be.

In an OBD II vehicle, pulling fuses and cranking the engine will give you 2
or 3 different trouble codes.

If you watch a professional technician change the fuel filter, they will
have a container to catch the fuel in place, crack the line open, replace
the filter, and put it back together, without bothering to relieve the
pressure in the fuel lines.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

I got the plugs out. Thanks everybody. What I wound up doing was
removing the winshield wiper motor assembly. This allowed me to get
two 6 inch extensions on the spark plug. One of the extensions was a
wobble extension. I don't know if it was necessary, but I think it
helped. I was able to get my ratchet on ABOVE the plenum which allowed
me to get enough torque to take off the old plugs. You could use a
small torque wrench to put the plugs in as there is enough room.
Removing the winshield wiper assemply was pretty easy, though I have to
say the whole job took me about 2 hours just for the back plugs. I
also lost a spark plug tube seal in the back, but I was smart enough to
transfer one off the front so that when I replace it, I've got an easy
plug to work with.

With this method, you're still working blind most of the time, but I
think it beats pulling the plenum. Next time I do it, I'll make sure
the engine is stone cold. Its amazing how hot the top of the engine
gets.

Jim

I agree that you can definitely do the job without pulling the fuse.
Anytime I've cranked with just the fuel-pump fuse pulled, I've not had
any trouble codes stored. I can definitely see a case though, where
the fuel pump is on a circuit with some other sensors, and pulling that
particular fuse would trip the CEL.

Regards,
Nirav

Cool man, whatever works. Saved your self a bit of cash and got it done
your self. Job well done.