90 & 01 4Runner spark plug change - hard?

I can't comment on the '01, but on the '90 V6 you won't need any special tools, just patience, and the right combination of socket extensions. For the drivers side, take the air intake ducting off to make room.. Nothing to take off on the other side..

Buy (if you don't already have) a spark plug socket wrench because it will have a rubber insert that will hold the plug as you withdraw it and as you insert the new plug.

Also, it's a good idea to blow out the recesses before you remove the plugs. Keeps crap and crud from getting into the cylinder.

Put a little anti-seize compound on the threads before you install the new plugs.

Bearman

Excellent advice, Bearman. It took me over two hours to get out a hard to reach plug that had seized up here recently. Truly, it was a miracle that I got it out at all without breaking it or rounding the nut. So, you can bet I am now a big fan of anti-seize on my new plugs.

I like the blowing out the recesses advice to.

Make sure your socket is six-point. I think all the plug sockets are - but if you put a multi-point deep socket on a seized plug and it slips, you will be in a whole new ballgame. Six-points are less likely to slip and round the nut.

If the '90 is like the '88 (same engine) -- and I imagine it is -- the No. 5 plug is a witch's tit to replace. The vacuum hoses, charcoal canister, reed valve, and a/c lines all get in the way. You will need some extensions and a u-joint or two to get it out without removing anything. As the other fellow said 2, 4, & 6 are 'cake' once you remove the air handling stuff. 1 and 3 are grinning at you from the get-go.

Good Luck,

Luther

I have that engine in a '90 pickup. I tried changing the plugs myself once, and managed to lose the plug socket after the first 2 or 3 plugs. on top of the exhaust manifold in a place where it proved impossible to get out, up or down. As far as I know, it's still bouncing around in there. So I paid somebody else to finish.

I have another set, and a new socket that stays on my wrench, and I'm planning to give it another try, if it warms up a little out there.

Does anybody recommend using anti-sieze stuff or anything on the threads? I have nightmares about VW plugs tearing out the threads in the head when unscrewed. Unbolting head, drilling and retapping and insert-adding: money more. Ahh -- I've read the rest of the thread just now and learned that yes you would recommend that. Now I'll have to go look for some.

I use anti-seize compound on my '97 4-Runner with the V-6. I have never had a problem with the plugs getting loose. I just dab a bit on the threads. I'm not even close to covering all of the threads. Right now I have over 160k on the engine.