2002 Camry V-6, Where are the plugs?

You have to take off the black engine cover to access the front three plugs (it's held on by two female hex bolts, I think?). You'll have three coils in the front (ontop of the plugs), with the HT wires running from the front three coils to the rear plugs (if you don't see the HT wires, then you may also have three coils on the rear, as well. Can't remember off hand). The rear plugs are located under the surge tank, you'll have a blast replacing those. It's really really fun. And those iridium guys have a 90k service interval, I believe.

Thanks, the setup is as you describe. Since it sounds like you've "been there and done that", any suggestions on how to avoid the fun with the surge tank?

Thanks again, Jim

plugs

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Getting those three in the back is a real pain. It's super easy with the intake manifold off, but hardly worth doing all that. Just a matter of fiddling, really. I use two different size 3/8 wratchets (5" and about

9"), and two or three different size extensions. Remove the pcv hose and a ground strap on the right side of the surge tank (be sure to put that strap back, it's the ground for the ECU) so you can reach in under the manifold to remove the plug boots. THen it's just a matter of fooling with the different wrenches & extensions you have until you figure out the right combination of tools. Clear your driving calendar for a few hours, too. Post if you have any other questions. Good luck.

Thanks much! Guess I'll wait till I have some vacation time to use.

Cheers, Jim

strap

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On my 95 camry I used an extender plus a hing extender (is that what you call them). It wasn't so hard. I was even able to use my cheapy needle torque wrench to torque it in the right amount.

Did you refigure you torque? When used with anything other than a shallow socket you torque wrench value will change, especially with extensions. I know Snap On & Matco have charts avalible, and others probably have them also. Just remember to use one from the manufacturer of your tools. Everyone's tools flex different.

Gary Cater

surge

Never thought of that as a concern.

With just a plain extender, the flex in the steel would seem to be negligable and I would guess that there is no need to make any conversions. Do you agree?

Regarding use of a universal, I would think physics 101 vector analysis would apply and so the angle at the joint would need to be measured and then used in a little trig computation. Or is there more to it?

Thanks for flagging that as a concern!

Doubt as it would be much of a concern with spark plugs, but with all the torque-to-yield fasteners used today you could do serious damage with under tightening. The fancy extensions they use with impacts to tighten lug nuts are just an example. They look the same except color for the different torque values. Any metal will flex under pressure the amount of flex depends on heat treatment used.

Gary Carter

Hand tools flex also, talk to a Snap-On salesman he can explain it better than me. But I know it does make a difference.

Gary Carter

under

nuts

depends