Spark Plug Replacement After 18 years.

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

I have taken very good care of my 04 Camry V6, and at 84000+ miles, it runs like new. However, I have not replaced the spark plugs, and I am concerned about the possibility of removing the plugs after being in the engine for that many years. I am reluctant to remove one of the front bank of plugs to find out, concerned that the head threads will come out with the plug, leaving me with no transportation. Comments appreciated.

 

[bluesmokertdi]

I have taken very good care of my 04 Camry V6, and at 84000+ miles, it runs like new. However, I have not replaced the spark plugs, and I am concerned about the possibility of removing the plugs after being in the engine for that many years. I am reluctant to remove one of the front bank of plugs to find out, concerned that the head threads will come out with the plug, leaving me with no transportation. Comments appreciated.

the plugs on my ML320 were about the same age when I removed them, the trick is to use lots of penetrating oil and be patient.

Remove a stuck spark plug

ut if you exert mega force to remove a stuck spark plug, you can also shear off the threads in the aluminum cylinder head, and that’s a MAJOR repair.

ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com

I sprayed a ton of penetrating oil around the spark plug (enough to see it pool about an 1/8 inch deep around the threads) then let it soak overnight

the plugs all came out using the tighten/loosen procedure

 

[skyactiv]

If you're going to buy something, Seafoam has a spray at Napa called Deep Creep. But the spark plug seal will most likely prevent it from doing any good.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?text=sea%20foam%20deep%20creep&referer=v2

 

[spasm3]

I'm not sure with the wide base of a spark plug and or washers, that a penetrating oil will get to the threads. If the plug has resistance to being removed, you need to work it back and forth in incements to knock carbon off the threads. Otherwise, if you crank it out, you could bring out the threads with it, especially in aluminum.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Have fun pulling that intake

The spark plugs should come out with no problem, since they have a plating on them. NGK and Denso both use it, so you will not have any issues taking them out.

Consider ruthenium so you'll never have to do the job again!

 

[Lubener]

Blow out all crud which has collected in the plug wells. Make sure engine is cold. You will have to break plugs loose and back out just a little ao that any penetrant you use can seep down the plug threads. I like PBBlaster. If the plugs aren't back out a little, it's unlikely the penetrant will do any good as the plug is sealed tightly against the head.

 

[Greasymechtech]

Never had issues with Toyota regardless of the time or mileage

He probably won't have to ever do the job again with ANY quality plug.... OE, fancy aftermarket.... unless the commute drastically changes

 

[PontiacHO]

Some Toyotas have a 120k spark replacement interval. If that’s the case on yours you don’t need to worry with it…

 

[atikovi]

Don't they spec a 100,000 mile change? Don't many people go over 150,000 miles without issues? If it runs smooth without misfire codes, I'd just leave it for now.

 

[measureman]

My 2002 Blazer with 108K miles has the original plugs in it and I'm not worried at all about replacing them.
My mechanic is Mr. Plastic.
It's his problem.

 

[DGXR]

My mechanic is Mr. Plastic.
It's his problem.

So mysterious! Who is this Mr. Plastic? Please explain.

 

[measureman]

So mysterious! Who is this Mr. Plastic? Please explain.

Mr. Plastic is the credit card I use to have someone fix my cars.

 

[BHopkins]

Mr. Plastic is the credit card I use to have someone fix my cars.

Don't you feel like an odd man out here on BITOG?

 

[measureman]

Don't you feel like an odd man out here on BITOG?

Yes kind of,but years ago I did do a lot of work on my cars but now at 75 I'm done with that.
As long as Mr.Plastic is healthy and fat he is my go to.

 

[atikovi]

Yes kind of,but years ago I did do a lot of work on my cars but now at 75 I'm done with that.

Because you don't like to or are not able to?

 

[redbone3]

Concerns about the plug coming out with the threads is why I changed out the plugs in my 2014 Passat @ 50,000 miles (7 years). Even then it was a PITA. The rubber sleeves over the plugs had glued themselves to the ceramic. I had to pry them off with a crowbar.

 

[LeoStrop]

If you tend to keep the car you will have to change it anyway, so i would change as soon as possible. The more you wait, the worse it will get.

Take your time and let the penetrating oil do his job overnight.

After that much time i am sure new plugs will provide some benefits.

Good luck!

 

[measureman]

Because you don't like to or are not able to?

Both.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Some Toyotas have a 120k spark replacement interval. If that’s the case on yours you don’t need to worry with it…

Don't you feel like an odd man out here on BITOG?

Slipping a card under the problem for the fix has been my brother's mo for some years now. And I have also gravitated toward having repair done rather than doing them myself. Regards

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Yes kind of,but years ago I did do a lot of work on my cars but now at 75 I'm done with that.
As long as Mr.Plastic is healthy and fat he is my go to.

Right on measurman.