Changing spark plugs

MIKEL2811

MEMBER
2010 TOYOTA RAV4
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

Watched video on changing spark plugs on my car, is it really as easy as video showed? Are back three plugs really hard to do? My Toyota dealership says it is a six to seven hour job and cost $410.00 dollars. I was considering on doing this job myself until they told me how hard it is to do. I do not have air tools but do have plenty of tools. Does spark plug socket have to have rubber insert for holding the plug?

Wednesday, June 7th, 2017 AT 12:14 PM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

If you have a 3.5L engine, replacing the spark plugs includes removing the upper intake manifold. The time listed is 2.1 hours which is quite a bit, so it's not an easy job. That time is for an experienced mechanic who has all the right tools at hand and knows exactly what to do.

The type of socket you use is up to you. I tend to break the old plugs when I use a socket with the rubber insert. Instead, I break them free with a socket with no insert, then use the insert if the plug is in a deep recess where getting to it is not easy. To install the new ones, I attack them to a piece of rubber vacuum hose and use that to get them started, then I use a socket with no insert to tighten them.

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Wednesday, June 7th, 2017 AT 11:11 PM