Toys4RJill

This is the best video he has ever done. Best click bait title….but he takes apart a Lexus engine to get to the spark plug. Interesting how tedious it was for the engine

LeX2K

Holy heck what a whiner that job is not difficult at all. Oh the horror he had to remove a fuel line.

mmarshall

Yeah.....it's obvious that the "Virus" was the frustration of working on a design like that.

He's correct, though, that those plugs had probably never been changed....that misfire on #3 plug had a worn-out gap in it large enough to drive a truck through...and a lot of carbon on the plug. What I didn't hear him mention, though (unless it just went past me) is that, when plugs are in an engine with that many miles and have never been removed, the accumulated engine-heat burns and scores the threads so much that can be difficult or impossible to unscrew them and take them out. That is why, when mechanics/technicians replace plugs, they often use anti-seize compound on the threads, to help prevent that from happening, but they don't necessarily use it at the factory when the engine is built.

He is also correct that auto manufacturers often don't think about repairs/maintenance when they design engines, and sometimes make it very difficult for technicians. That is why, whenever I do an MM Full-Review (not just a brief write-up), I am careful to note engine/component-accessibility underhood.

mmarshall

It's far more difficult than on the engines he probably grew up with.

LeX2K

On Japanese cars (I don't work on American brands so don't know about those) the plug threads have a zinc chromate coating there is no need for anti-seize in fact NGK and others warn against using it.
True. But I don't get why he was complaining so much about a routine job there are far, far worse engines to work on. BMW.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Gee, what an abortion of design, all this on a longitudinal engine to get to the spark plugs, this engine design is worse than covid.

mmarshall

OK, Thanks...I'll consider that a heads-up, although I don't do much engine work any more, except for very minor stuff.

mmarshall

The REAL job is getting to the back-side plugs of a transverse-mounted V6 or V8.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Yes, which is understandable. But this is a longitudinal NA V6, there was no good reason for them to design it like this.

LeX2K

What would be an example of a V6 with a good intake and plenum design.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Here is the same job on the mercedes V6 of the same period. Far easier, even despite it having the 2 spark plugs per cylinder gimmick. The intake manifold design seems similar to Lexus 3UZ V8.

Striker223

The Lexus ones......I'm serious. The others suck more to do and vans get a bonus. Honda is passable as well

Och

iTrader: (3)

Looking at the Merc engine, it is a 90 degree V6, which is less than ideal, while the Lexus is a 60 degree. Are engineers forced to design such clusterpluck of an intake because of the space limitation with the 60 degree V? If so, it's little wonder many premium brands prefer inline 6 instead.

wechslerl

Scotty, I did not know You are also on this site.
I hope You feel much better now and no side effects !!
Scotty, I have a question.
Do you need to remove the brake fluid reservoir to access the relay box in 2016 RX 350 !! ??
Thanks, Your follower on YouTube!

mmarshall

It's unclear from the video (he doesn't say) if he actually has the virus or not. He does look a little pale and weak, though. If he DID catch COV-ID or one of its variants, I certainly hope he recovers.