Open the hood first, then choose which side you want to start on. In comparison to the passenger side, the driver’s side requires more component removal and installation. I began with the driver’s side because I like to tackle the trickier side first.
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Replacing Spark Plugs on the Driver’s Side of the 3.4L V6 (5VZ-FE) Engine
You will need to disconnect a lot of components on the driver’s side. You must keep note of everything you disconnect or remove. Labeling or taking pictures along the route will help you remember how to put things back when you’re done.
First, unclip the hose clamp from the next two hoses, slide it back, and then pull the hose off. If the hoses become stuck, you can break them loose by giving them a small left-to-right twist before pulling them off.
The ground strap and bracket should then be removed using a 10mm socket as indicated below.
The bracket that is fastened to the engine’s back will then need to be turned out of the way. To accomplish this, remove the bolt from the top of the bracket using a 12mm socket. To remove the bottom mounting bolt on the bracket, you’ll need a 14mm socket. You should be able to spin the entire bracket around the lower bolt after removing the bottom bolt. For additional space to maneuver, turn the bracket towards the back of the engine.
With enough room now, you may take out the three spark plugs and their boots. Consider changing the spark plugs one at a time to reduce the possibility of something falling into any of the combustion chambers.
To insert your 5/8 spark plug socket deeply into the combustion chamber, you’ll require extremely long extensions. Spark plug removal
Purchase a new spark plug, then put a tiny dab of anti-seize into the threads. Place the spark plug in the socket (with any necessary long socket extensions), place it in the combustion chamber, and manually thread it in. To ensure that the spark plug doesn’t cross-thread, you should just use your hands along with the spark plug socket and extensions (no socket wrench yet).
Use a torque wrench to tighten the spark plug to 13 ft-lbs. You might be able to get away with hand-tightening and then tightening an extra quarter turn if you don’t intend to use a torque wrench. To be safe, I usually suggest using a torque wrench rather than doing it by hand.
Use a small amount of dielectric grease and rub it all the way around the inside of the spark plug boot while replacing it. Reinstall the spark plug boot after that.
Replace the remaining parts of the components you removed in the opposite order of removal after replacing all the spark plugs and reinstalling the spark plug boots. The spark plugs on the driver’s side are now finished.
Replacing Spark Plugs on the Passenger’s Side of the 3.4L V6 (5VZ-FE) Engine
In order to replace the spark plugs on the passenger side, you primarily just need to worry about moving the air intake out of the way.
There are several ways to create enough room to replace the spark plugs on the passenger side, but my preferred method is to just remove the entire air intake system and the air filter housing. Some people may merely unhook the intake pipe from the intake manifold and bend it out of the way, but this can damage the hose, especially on older cars like this one.
The following three mounting nuts for the air filter housing should be removed using a 10mm socket. The air filter box will be freed from the frame as a result.
The attachments should now be free after disconnecting the ensuing connectors, as illustrated. These are the wider connector for the ignition control module and the MAF sensor (smaller connector). As you will be removing the complete air intake box and intake pipe, move these out of the way.
Vacuum hose removal should be done with extreme caution because they can be fairly brittle and even already be damaged. Sometimes they can get trapped, and trying to just twist them off might not work. My favourite approach is to slowly pry it off all the way around the hose with a broad flat-head screwdriver before pulling it off by hand.
The bolt for the clamp that secures the air intake hose to the intake manifold can then be loosened using a Philips head screwdriver. The entire intake, along with the remainder of the intake and air filter housing, can be lifted off of the manifold once it has been sufficiently loosened.
You now have complete access to the spark plugs and ignition coils on the passenger side. You’ll notice that this bank differs from the driver’s side since it uses ignition coils rather than spark plug boots.
Pull the ignition coil connectors off by depressing the release with a flat head screwdriver or your fingertips.
The 10mm bolts holding the ignition coils in place should then be removed using a 10mm socket.
Pull out the ignition coil by hand to remove it. It’s best to remove each one individually, but if you remove them all at once, the lengths of the spark plug wires make it simple to connect the right coil to the combustion chamber.
The spark plug should be loosened and removed using a socket wrench with long extensions and a 5/8 spark plug socket on the end.
Install the replacement spark plug by placing it on the extension-equipped end of the spark plug socket and manually threading it in. Once it has been entirely screwed in by hand, tighten it up to 13 ft-lbs using a torque wrench.
Spread some dielectric grease across the interior of the ignition coil boot’s inner perimeter. Reattach the connector to the ignition coil after installing the 10mm bolt to secure it. Repeat for each spark plug on the engine bank on the passenger side.
Now that every spark plug has been changed, reverse the removal process to put back in the air intake, housing, connectors, and vacuum hoses. You have now finished replacing the spark plug in the 5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 engine.
If you maintain track of all the things you took out and placed back, replacing the spark plugs will go smoothly. One hose did split due to aging, which I replaced by matching the part and purchasing it from a Toyota dealer. It didn’t take very long to change all the spark plugs, and it was simple to keep track of everything. I attribute that to stopping frequently to take pictures and make notes. Start the car and give it a test drive after you’ve changed all the spark plugs to make sure everything is working properly.
How frequently should a Toyota Tacoma have its spark plugs changed?
It is best to keep your Toyota Tacoma functioning at peak efficiency as a pickup owner. The replacement of your spark plugs is one of the frequently neglected maintenance tasks. Here is a helpful tutorial for replacing them.
Are you not getting the same MPG as you used to or does your truck feel sluggish? Here is a helpful advice on how to replace your spark plugs if it’s time.
According to Toyota, spark plugs should be replaced every 60,000 miles. Depending on how hard you drive your truck and/or how frequently you tow with it, this may change. The spark plugs in your truck may wear out more quickly if you drive it in this manner. Old spark plugs reduce performance and decrease your MPG, which is terrible for your money. Spark plugs are reasonably inexpensive, therefore it is a good idea to change them if you notice a decline in performance.
Are spark plugs with many electrodes better?
Due to increased heat losses and reduced flame growth as a result of constrained flow directions, multiple ground electrode spark plugs greatly slow down the early flame development.
How frequently are spark plugs changed?
Because they are made for long-term durability, spark plugs only need to be changed every 80,000 to 100,000 miles. However, they can sustain damage sooner than anticipated and need to be replaced to prevent costly engine repairs.
How much time do spark plugs last?
The majority of manufacturers advise replacing spark plugs every 30,000 miles (or more, for extended life spark plugs). By doing this, decay, carbon fouling, or issues with worn spark plug tips are reduced. Additionally, it aids in avoiding problems with the combustion chamber or cylinder.
However, the brand, model, and kind of spark plugs you use will also affect how often they need to be replaced.
Here are some details on the lifespans of several plug types:
- The typical lifespan of a copper spark plug is between 10,000 and 20,000 miles.
- Silver plugs, which are utilized in older automobiles, have a 20,000-mile lifespan.
- Platinum or expensive iridium spark plugs can last 60,000 kilometers.
- Long-lasting or extended-life spark plugs can go 100,000 miles.
- Premium iridium spark plugs have a 100,000 mile lifespan (although an extended life iridium spark plug may last up to 120,000 miles).
- Although it is claimed that the double platinum spark plug will last up to 100,000 miles, actual mileage may vary from brand to brand.
Iridium plugs: Are they worth it?
With a 700 higher melting point than platinum, iridium is believed to be six times stronger and eight times tougher than that metal. Spark plugs made of iridium feature incredibly tiny electrodes and good wear characteristics. Iridium spark plugs can live up to 25% longer than comparable platinum spark plugs because of their durability.
Iridium spark plugs include a core electrode made of a thin wire that is intended to carry electricity more effectively and improve firing efficiency.
This valuable metal comes at a cost. Spark plugs made of iridium are often the most expensive, costing between $8 and $15 each.