Looking for spark plug change advice
#1
Looking for spark plug change advice
My 2001 ES300 with 90k miles is almost due for it's routine spark plug change. I'm not equipped for a DIY, nor am I good at those things, so off to the Lexus dealer. For this types of jobs, I prefer a Lexus dealer to an Independent.
Anyways I called 2 local Lexus dealers. The first one said that he can do it without removing the intake, at a total cost of about $450. The 2nd said that he needs to remove the intake, for a total cost of about $700
I was going to change the rear valve cover gasket, even though it's not leaking. I figured that if they have to remove the intake to change the Plugs than I might as well change the rear valve cover gasket at the same time, at only a slight extra cost, but since the first dealer can change the plugs without removing the intake, and hence is substantially cheaper, I have a bit of a dilemma. Do I change the rear valve cover gasket or not? Especially considering that it's not leaking, and that I'll be saving $250 by not having to remove the intake.
Any feedback will be appreciated
Thanks
Anyways I called 2 local Lexus dealers. The first one said that he can do it without removing the intake, at a total cost of about $450. The 2nd said that he needs to remove the intake, for a total cost of about $700
I was going to change the rear valve cover gasket, even though it's not leaking. I figured that if they have to remove the intake to change the Plugs than I might as well change the rear valve cover gasket at the same time, at only a slight extra cost, but since the first dealer can change the plugs without removing the intake, and hence is substantially cheaper, I have a bit of a dilemma. Do I change the rear valve cover gasket or not? Especially considering that it's not leaking, and that I'll be saving $250 by not having to remove the intake.
Any feedback will be appreciated
Thanks
Last edited by PFB; 10-04-11 at 04:32 PM.
#2
wait..u have 90k miles? isnt it too early for a spark plug change.. i think @ that miles one should do timing belt et al. service..anyways if the gasket is not leaking then i think dont change it..My Rx300 gasket was leaking so i ahd to change it. Not sure about the spark plugs..did u search the forum about spark plugs. Owners have commented on changing the spark plugs and i remember reading about it. Do a search n see
#3
Timing Belt was done at the Lexus Dealer about 2 weeks ago. I had a separate thread on the subject. I was going to change the Plugs since I am not that far off the recomended change interval, and my city Gas milage has unexplicably been dropping consistently. Started off at around 19-20MPG (City) 2 Years ago, and now am down to (15-16 (City). Highway has not changed am am at Consistent 26-27MPG
I should add though that the car starts and runs flawlessly. NO CEL of any kind, so doing nothing at this time is also a viable option.
I should add though that the car starts and runs flawlessly. NO CEL of any kind, so doing nothing at this time is also a viable option.
#5
My 2001 ES300 with 90k miles is almost due for it's routine spark plug change. I'm not equipped for a DIY, nor am I good at those things, so off to the Lexus dealer. For this types of jobs, I prefer a Lexus dealer to an Independent.
Anyways I called 2 local Lexus dealers. The first one said that he can do it without removing the intake, at a total cost of about $450. The 2nd said that he needs to remove the intake, for a total cost of about $700
I was going to change the rear valve cover gasket, even though it's not leaking. I figured that if they have to remove the intake to change the Plugs than I might as well change the rear valve cover gasket at the same time, at only a slight extra cost, but since the first dealer can change the plugs without removing the intake, and hence is substantially cheaper, I have a bit of a dilemma. Do I change the rear valve cover gasket or not? Especially considering that it's not leaking, and that I'll be saving $250 by not having to remove the intake.
Any feedback will be appreciated
Thanks
Anyways I called 2 local Lexus dealers. The first one said that he can do it without removing the intake, at a total cost of about $450. The 2nd said that he needs to remove the intake, for a total cost of about $700
I was going to change the rear valve cover gasket, even though it's not leaking. I figured that if they have to remove the intake to change the Plugs than I might as well change the rear valve cover gasket at the same time, at only a slight extra cost, but since the first dealer can change the plugs without removing the intake, and hence is substantially cheaper, I have a bit of a dilemma. Do I change the rear valve cover gasket or not? Especially considering that it's not leaking, and that I'll be saving $250 by not having to remove the intake.
Any feedback will be appreciated
Thanks
Both similar, though not exact, 1MZFE engines.
If that valve cover isn't leaking, no need to replace it or play with it.
The plugs can actually go out to 120K or even longer, but ideally I wouldn't run over 120K without changing them.
#7
man, considering plugs only cost like $50 dollars or less, paying 450 is almost pure labour
what i would recommend is that start reading up on some DIYs and buy a socket set and give it a go
tools are cheap!
what i would recommend is that start reading up on some DIYs and buy a socket set and give it a go
tools are cheap!
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#8
Thanks for your feedbacks
#9
I agree with the comment above about looking at the front plugs. I do that every so often to see how they're doing. That's from habit of dealing with the awful gas I had down south of the border (though it did improve in the time I was there) and to see if there is any other issue with oil or any other contaminant getting on the plugs.
#10
why do you have to go to a lexus dealership for a spark plug change. the same engine is used in camry v6 as well. any ASE trained mechanic should be able to do a spark plug change. may be you should get quote from toyota dealership if you are not keen on diy.
#11
The original iridium spark plugs on my 2000 LS400 looked like new when they were changed during the 120,000 mile service. The engine didn't run any better or get better gas mileage with new spark plugs. Your ES also has iridium spark plugs. My guess is that these iridium plugs could be good for the life of the car if replacement was not "Required under the terms of the Emission Control Warranty" at 120,000 miles per our car's maintenance manuals.
#12
They don't need to remove the intake. I've done the plugs before and it's not necessary. I have DIY over in the RX300 forum that's similar to the ES300, https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-patience.html
Both similar, though not exact, 1MZFE engines.
If that valve cover isn't leaking, no need to replace it or play with it.
The plugs can actually go out to 120K or even longer, but ideally I wouldn't run over 120K without changing them.
Both similar, though not exact, 1MZFE engines.
If that valve cover isn't leaking, no need to replace it or play with it.
The plugs can actually go out to 120K or even longer, but ideally I wouldn't run over 120K without changing them.
#13
Local Toyota dealer quoted me a bit over 200 bucks for my wife's ES300 a couple of days ago. Their price for other things is high, usually, but anyway, I might try it myself one of these days. My RX300 is also a candidate.
#14
I did the plugs in my 2000 ES a few weeks ago -- do the front three first to get yourself acclimated to the process.
Mine has the coils on the plugs. To do the back three ........take all three coils out to give some room back there and do the other three plugs before you put any coils back.I happened to get a cheap set of plug sockets from Harbor fright -- the kind with a built in joint on the top. The one for the Lexus plug was perfect for the job -- best $9 you will ever spend working on the ES. You will also need a couple of short extensions.
Spending $20 at HF tools will get you everything if you don't already have the tools -- took me about 1 1/2 hours to do the plugs and some other maintenance.
Mine has the coils on the plugs. To do the back three ........take all three coils out to give some room back there and do the other three plugs before you put any coils back.I happened to get a cheap set of plug sockets from Harbor fright -- the kind with a built in joint on the top. The one for the Lexus plug was perfect for the job -- best $9 you will ever spend working on the ES. You will also need a couple of short extensions.
Spending $20 at HF tools will get you everything if you don't already have the tools -- took me about 1 1/2 hours to do the plugs and some other maintenance.
#15
I have done spark plug change on my 97 ES300 a few weeks ago (without removing intake manifold). From start to finish, it took me 1.5 hrs. For the rear 3 spark plugs, you just need assorted length of extensions and a joint.