tcdsouza1

I am attempting spark plug change. I cannot remov the engine cover. I removed the front three screws with an allen wrench but the cover seems to be attached in the middle at the L emblem. Can anyone help?

PFB

That emblem is actually a screw that holds down the cover. You need to turn it counter clockwise

Phil

tcdsouza1

The emblem just popped out. I turned the oval shaped plastic counter clockwise....it appears to have a plastic snap kinda tab. Anyway it came off. Thanks.

I have a 1999 ES300 VVT-i engine. Do I need platinum or iridium spark plugs?

Ariyanna

Go with Denso Iridium long life plugs model IK20 they last about 100K miles

JTS06Z06

Man if you cant even cant passed removing the plastic engine cover I wish you luck on tackling the rear two spark plugs ;-) all kidding aside the two left rear plugs are very easily accessible by standing next to the drivers side wheel and running your arm towards the plugs along side the firewall. There is no other way to reach them besides this way unless you remove the intake manifold and thats a big pain in the ***. Take my advice and reach in through along the firewall standing on the drivers side. Took me all day to figure this out but once I did the job was a piece of cake. You can also do it with just one extension and no other special tools.

James

tcdsouza1

Thanks for the tip James. I have changed spark plugs on several vehicles. 4's were easy. 6 cylinders were tricky at the rear. Other posts on the subject suggested a universal joint connection for the rear plugs. Your suggestion sounds simpler. Will try it so wish me luck. Any other tips will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!
Also, James - Do you have a 1999 ES 300? Older or newer models may be configured differently.

JTS06Z06

I have a 2000 ES300 and used nothing more than a standard extension by reaching in from along the firewall. Using this method I did not have to undo or remove anything to get at the left two rear plugs. Just reach in undo the plugs and put the new ones in and your done.

James