Anyone replaced their spark plugs by DIY yet?

28317 Views 19 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Mhanley, 2 mo ago

KKM

Discussion Starter · Sep 30, 2015

Curious if you have to disassemble the wiper motor like the Prius to get to the plugs, which looks like a PIA from the youtube video. I actually just want access to clean them since I only have about 35k on mines. Probably don't need to, but wanted unscrew them out to prevent seizing later and just because I'm use to changing the plugs every 30k on my other older car.

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Raidin

· #2 · Oct 4, 2015

Mine are due for replacement in about a week, but I have a mechanic that does everything for me. Do you want me to ask how it's done once it's done?

cmptpad

· #3 · Oct 5, 2015

Toyota dealer would do the same job for lower costs due to its lower labor rate

Infected

· #4 · Oct 7, 2015 (Edited)

Sure doesn't look very hard to replace. Looks a lot like how my 06 Prius was.

Worst case just need a angled rachet to get them out.

This makes me happy, because I had to go look up that YouTube video you were talking about.
Another point over the Prius for me.

Raidin said:
Mine are due for replacement in about a week, but I have a mechanic that does everything for me. Do you want me to ask how it's done once it's done?

You have 120,000 miles on your car?
Asking because it looks as if you have a 14 or 15.

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Raidin

· #5 · Oct 9, 2015

I have a 14, yes, and now I'm over 121k. I decided to change my plugs at my next oil change at 131k. You can get a good estimate of how many miles I have on my car any time you want by checking my odometer on fuelly.com by clicking my signature.

Infected

· #6 · Oct 9, 2015

Raidin said:
I have a 14, yes, and now I'm over 121k. I decided to change my plugs at my next oil change at 131k. You can get a good estimate of how many miles I have on my car any time you want by checking my odometer on fuelly.com by clicking my signature.

WOW!
Didn't realize I could click on that down there, thanks!

Not to hijack, but how has your car been for you with that mileage/wear?

KKM

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 9, 2015

Raidin said:
Mine are due for replacement in about a week, but I have a mechanic that does everything for me. Do you want me to ask how it's done once it's done?

Sorry haven't checked in lately, but yes, would be interesting to see how involved it is to make the replacement.

Infected, your '06 is the previous generation, then the 3rd generation, which started in '10, so hopefully yours is easier to replace.

Infected

· #8 · Oct 10, 2015

KKM said:
Infected, your '06 is the previous generation, then the 3rd generation, which started in '10, so hopefully yours is easier to replace.

That picture is of the CT.
I was saying that it looks to be just as easy to replace the plugs on the CT as it was on my Prius.
Lots of room to work, nothing to remove out of the way first.

Raidin

· #9 · Oct 10, 2015

Infected said:
WOW!
Didn't realize I could click on that down there, thanks!

Not to hijack, but how has your car been for you with that mileage/wear?

Car still drives like new. No issues beyond small plastic flexing sounds here and there when I press the Drive Mode selector knob or the AC controls. Everything continues to work perfectly. I've been maintaining the car very well, and both my mechanic and my used oil analysis reports comment on how clean the engine looks (just started doing 20k mile oil changes, and going beyond).

When I get my plugs changed, I will make sure to get the details from my mechanic and relay them here.

KKM

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 10, 2015

Infected said:
That picture is of the CT.
I was saying that it looks to be just as easy to replace the plugs on the CT as it was on my Prius.
Lots of room to work, nothing to remove out of the way first.

Ok, got it, I probably should've poked around the CT engine, I just assumed that it is the same as the Prius, hopefully you are correct. Thanks.

Infected

· #11 · Oct 11, 2015

Raidin said:
Car still drives like new. No issues beyond small plastic flexing sounds here and there when I press the Drive Mode selector knob or the AC controls. Everything continues to work perfectly. I've been maintaining the car very well, and both my mechanic and my used oil analysis reports comment on how clean the engine looks (just started doing 20k mile oil changes, and going beyond).

When I get my plugs changed, I will make sure to get the details from my mechanic and relay them here.

Awesome to hear!
My 06 Prius had 191,000 miles on it, and was just as good as what you're reporting.
It's why I chose another Toyota Hybrid.
Thanks!

KKM said:
Ok, got it, I probably should've poked around the CT engine, I just assumed that it is the same as the Prius, hopefully you are correct. Thanks.

The engine is the same, however it looks as though the body is designed with enough room to get access to the plugs.
Tomorrow I will try and pull one and take a picture of just how much clearance there is.

Infected

· #12 · Oct 11, 2015 (Edited)

3

Just tried it out and it's not an issue.
Just need an angled rachet extension to get into the hole.
As seen here:

You can see here that I've got the rachet extension into the hole. Just put a rachet on and pull it out.
I didn't bother pulling a plug as my car is just 2 months old. But you get the idea.
Make sure to unplug each harness as well.

Just have to pull these bolts out first, and for the case of the one on the left, have to unplug the grey harness, or use a open end wrench.

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KKM

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 11, 2015

Thanks Infected for doing that, will make everyone's life easier if they decide to change their own. With the '11 models being the oldest, I'm assuming that many cars are due for a change. I'm going to pull mines out just to clean and maybe apply some anti-seize to the threads.

Infected

· #14 · Oct 12, 2015

No problem.
Hopefully it helps someone down the road.

kt2010

· #15 · Dec 17, 2015

Hi infected, what is the size of the spark plug socket ? Thanks.

Infected

· #16 · Dec 17, 2015

kt2010 said:
Hi infected, what is the size of the spark plug socket ? Thanks.

Hi KT,
It's a 9/16 spark plug socket.

Torque specs are:
13-18 ft. lbs - Spark plugs
9 ft. lbs - ignition coil bolts

qksilvr

· #17 · Jan 3, 2016

Ive done my plugs, super easy job. You don't need to do anything to access them like you do in the Prius

Reactions: 1

IN VTEC

· #18 · Feb 1, 2016

4

Just did mine as well. I had to buy a 14mm spark plug socket from Amazon. You will need a 6" wobble extension to clear the cowl. A straight extension won't work.

i also had trouble with disconnecting the connector from the ignition coils. I had to use a small std screwdriver to help lift the retainer while I pushed down on the opposite end.

This is what happens when you try to use a straight extension.

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Reactions: 2

MalBrax Media- Malcolm

· #19 · 5 mo ago

Infected said:
Hi KT,
It's a 9/16 spark plug socket.

Torque specs are:
13-18 ft. lbs - Spark plugs
9 ft. lbs - ignition coil bolts

Any chance you know the gapping?

Mhanley

· #20 · 2 mo ago

I've Changed mine twice without any issues.

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