98 Camry Spark plug change

There are many posts on how to do this. But you don't really have to remove the intake manifold as the manual suggests. You should be able to reach all plugs from the driver side. And by using the spark plug socket and either a 3" or 6" extension depending on which cylinder, you should be able to get them out. You don't need a universal joint either.

Use NGK iridium (BKR6EIX-11, or better: BKR6EKPB-11) if you can. Local NAPA sells them at a good price around $6-8 each I think. Great plugs. I'd stay away from Densos over the counter. Don't use standard plugs because of the short service life.

G-Power Platinum BKR6EGP 7092 0.044 Laser Platinum BKR6EKPB-11 * # 3452 0.044 Iridium IX BKR6EIX-11 3764 0.044 # Original Equipment

Grip wrote:

I have 150,000+ miles on my original plugs. Why should I change them? I go 29.4 MPG on a recent trip. '05 v4 LE

snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com wrote:

Because the EPA highway rating is 34 MPG --- you'd gain near 5 MPG and less polluting. 100k is about limit and they aren't that expensive or hard to change in the 4 cylinder.

Most plugs make the engine run rough long before then. The 05 may have been equipped with the Laser Iridium, typically with 0.7mm center electrode and a platinum ground pad, good for 120K-miles. If that's the case, as I said, the likes of NGK Laser Iridium are excellent.

But center electrode wears and, the plug internals degrade. Unless you put the plug on a scope to determine its firing voltage or do a calibrated test to see if you can get higher MPGs with a set of newer plugs or measure the combustion cleanliness you won't be able to tell unless things are way out of wack.

I personally won't wait until things run rough or are out of wack. And I change timing belts at 60K miles for a few hours of weekend time, even if 90K or more are specified.

Stubby wrote:

I have done it recently on my 2000 V6. Having read a number of posts on this board regarding what's the best way to change the back 3 spark plugs. I used a combination of 3 inch extensions (2), 6 inch extension

(1), a universal joint and a swivel wrench, I managed to change all of them. My suggestion is to find the combination so that your wrench can

turn. This require some trial and error. Use your left hand to provide support for the extensions and right hand to turn it. The only

thing that I have to disconnect is the tube connecting to the PCV valve

so as to provide more space to access the plug closest to the passenger

side.

Because "aiuser" could, he/she/it opin'd:

Woah; NOW I know why I take my Camry to the dealer for oil changes!

The fact that my son works in the service department helps, but I was doing that before he was there and giving me a 15% discount on service fees . . . .

-Don

Those EPA numbers may not reflect the actual driving condition. They tend to over-estimate, especially for the Prius. But that's being changed now.

It's hard to say if 29 mpg is good or bad. It depends on a lot of things like the mix of highway/local driving, tire pressure, type of gas, etc. People have run 60K-mile timing belts to over 200K miles. Just because it can be done doesn't mean it's good.

Stubby wrote:

It's really not as bad as it sounds, compared to some domestic large displacement V6 and V8's in a passenger car package.

Yes, some prefer the use of universal joints and other widgets. But I find a standard 3/8 ratchet and socket and both the 3" and 6" extensions will do fine.

First just try reaching the plug boots, for starters.

D> Woah; NOW I know why I take my Camry to the dealer for oil changes! >

Because snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com could, he/she/it opin'd:

I know, but I've gotten lazy. Besides, our Toyota dealer in Rochester is the first dealer I've actually trusted, from the sales staff to the loan department through the service department, where I'm happy that my son now works. I got treated like family before he was there and now it's even better . . . . (There's also the family discount on service, parts and cars -- not a bad incentive!)

So I'll keep bringing our Camry there for oil changes, and spend the time waiting chatting with Arlyn Ness the salesman[*] who sold us the Camry and the xB (if he isn't busy, which he usually is, but he finds enough time to at least say hi) and enjoying some drinks and snacks. It makes me feel special, and darn it, I'm WORTH it!

As for the xB, the next oil change is the last free one and after that I'll probably do my own 'cause it's easier than the Camry and I do enjoy doing the things I can for car care, like easy oil changes, air and cabin filter changes, tire rotation and things like that . . . .

[*] SWMBO won't allow me to talk about cars with Arlyn 'cause it was one of the visits for a Camry oil change that led to the purchase of the xB and we can't afford another new car this soon

Yeah, that's cool. It's too bad we just can't say the same about most of the dealers.

D> Because snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com could, he/she/it opin'd: >