Change of plugs ( request for some advice)

[dean96 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dean96]

Hi I’m new here and have already searched for this topic and found some older information but not what im after,
Ive done minor changes oil , air filters etc, and wanted to do my plugs
Now I went out and brought the plugs a few weeks ago to do this myself but as we have a baby due in a few days thought id save some hassle (as it looked like I would have to remove a fair bit of stuff on the passenger side to gain access) and have the mechanic sort it.
I have a 2003 120 series petrol 4L automatic Prado and today it had it major 80'000kms service,
The Bridgestone mechanic advised he could not change the plugs due to a special tool needed that costs a few hundred dollars for the number 6 plug to come out with ease and advise to get Toyota to do it.
Can anyone here advise if this is true or if I have a few spare hours next week can I sort the plugs out myself, without this tool? Does anyone have any images/ videos of this change ( there was a post I found but the images were removed)
Thanks for any help.

Eidt: This is the only thread that looked like it had what I was after,
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...t=change+plugs
Dean

[Bms Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bms]

Go on YouTube, and search for "spark plug change fj cruiser." hope it helps

[NZKIWIS Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close NZKIWIS]

Hi Dean
Welcome to the forum....

Have sent you a PM this post is a double up..... the Mods get a bit excited when folks do this...but here's the link again...

http://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/4x4...gs-fj-cruiser/

Regards NZKIWIS

[dean96 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dean96]

Thanks for that , I have seen that one, and its preety good but it fails to show the full pasengers side, Im going to have to trial and error it I guess .

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

Mate the 'special tool' story is bullshit. I have done it a few times my shed at home. Just hook in, tag where hoses go etc, take a few pics with ya phone as ya to if u are unsure, slow and steady and you will handle it with ease.

Just take your time and don't rush.

[dean96 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dean96]

Thanks for that Matt, I was pretty sure he was full of it and lazy too, it looks like a pain but a professional mechanic shouldnt have to many dramas,
ill do as suggested and take my time doing it in a few weeks ( due to baby being due any day) and will take a lot of pics,
the only real worry I had was the tubes in that area , I didnt know if they had fluids or air, but I have one of those service/gregorys type manuals so Ill do some reseach and hopefully itl be fine ,
If not Toyota service centre here I come lol.

[dean96 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dean96]

All sorted that number 6 was hard but only took 10 mins to change,
Number 2,3 were loose not even finger tight (little scarey) a bit of oil leaked up and around the plugs and both were oil stained all the way up the white part of the plug.
All sorted with new NKGs and all tightend to correct tourqe / gauge.
Gave under the hood a nice clean up but its now not starting as it used to there is some hesitation but kicksin,
Im leaning towards due to old plugs and being loose maybe a tuneup is now in order or maybe I just need to run the new plugs in?
Thanks for the advice
Dean

[timmay5.7 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmay5.7]

Did you check the gap on the plugs before fitting?
Something I would do - not always recommended, is disconnect the battery for a bit, with like a door open or something - that would normally drain the battery over time.
LEave it for about an hour or so. reconnect and try starting again.
You will have to retrain the power windows, clock and radio etc afterwards though.
Sometimes this helps to flash the ECU back to factory - to relearn your driving style.

[dean96 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dean96]

Yep gaps are all plum will try your suggestion thx

[dean96 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dean96]

after a drive up the road it starts like a dream mrs is happy now lol

[foxclan Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close foxclan]

after a drive up the road it starts like a dream mrs is happy now lol

Has the Mrs pushed out the Bubs yet always seems to cheer them up, aahh the relief. Lol.
Cheers Troy

[dean96 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dean96]

Yep baby girl 8'11 named Aubrey Rose ,
Totally in love with her lol ( my first child) its deff an experience .
On a side note the acceleration issue we were having seems to be completely gone now so im lost ,maybe the plugs were the cause, because Number 5 plug the metal part was crushed into the electrode and had no spark at all and number 2, 3 were loose and oil was burnt all up and around the plugs (not even finger tight).
Toyota suggested not all cylinders were running and the pressure lost from the loose plugs caused alot of the issues.
Im not sure tbh so im going to test it for the next week or so check the plugs again to see if there is any damage or looseness and if needed take it down to them for fixing.
Southside Toyota in Brisbane will never get another $ from me again lol
I didn’t think the car would start if there was loss of pressure or if a cylinder wasn’t firing?