Installed Spark Plugs, Wires, and Valve Cover Gaskets
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Installed Spark Plugs, Wires, and Valve Cover Gaskets
A couple weekends ago I replaced the spark plugs, ignition wires, and valve cover gaskets in my 99 GS300 for pretty cheap. Last summer I went to get my car looked over by my nearest Lexus dealership and the amount of things they found that needed to be replaced were surprising. And, as you could probably guess, the price was astronomical. For parts and tax (not even including the $110/hr for labor) the total came out to $8,427.46. That's more than the car is worth so I figured I'd do what I usually do when I get quoted a part's weight in gold; I did things on my own. This $8k wasn't for what I replaced but a decent portion of it was (if you want to know what other parts I needed and what they quoted me just pm me). Now for the parts and quotes. Remember, these are all just the prices of the parts, not including the labor charges.
Valve cover gasket (found engine oil leak): $497.08
Ignition wires (mine were original): $80.51
Serpentine belt (I did this over the summer): $60.65
Spark plugs (mine were original): $407.52
Oxygen sensor (bank 2, sensor 2, under car): $465.07
Total: $1510.83
And now, the parts I actually got.
Beck Arnley 036-1689 Engine Valve Cover Gasket: $13.18
Beck Arnley 036-1688 Engine Valve Cover Gasket: $13.40
6x Denso 5303 Spark Plug: 6x$8.00 = $48
Denso 234-4603 Oxygen Sensor: $68.06
Bando 6PK1930 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt: $17.90
KARLYN 725 Spark Plug Wire Set- STI: $26.45
Total: $186.99
All of these, with the exception of the spark plug wire set, were purchased on Amazon.com. Many of the prices fluctuate on there so I'd keep an eye out (the spark plugs are already a dollar more each and the O2 sensor is $10 less). The serpentine belt and O2 sensor installs were pretty straight forward. As for the rest, I followed this guy's videos on YouTube. He has a slight accent and an IS300 that's a few years older. It's the same engine though with only a couple differences as far as I could tell from the parts I worked on. Just search through his videos to find the IS300 ones or I can post the links to each in this post. Here's his channel:
Alexey Gavrilov - YouTube
Not too bad of a job, only one hiccup. The plug to the MAF sensor wasn't snapped in all the way so I was getting a CEL. Just had to plug it in the rest of the way. I probably just nudged it with my knee by accident.
Valve cover gasket (found engine oil leak): $497.08
Ignition wires (mine were original): $80.51
Serpentine belt (I did this over the summer): $60.65
Spark plugs (mine were original): $407.52
Oxygen sensor (bank 2, sensor 2, under car): $465.07
Total: $1510.83
And now, the parts I actually got.
Beck Arnley 036-1689 Engine Valve Cover Gasket: $13.18
Beck Arnley 036-1688 Engine Valve Cover Gasket: $13.40
6x Denso 5303 Spark Plug: 6x$8.00 = $48
Denso 234-4603 Oxygen Sensor: $68.06
Bando 6PK1930 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt: $17.90
KARLYN 725 Spark Plug Wire Set- STI: $26.45
Total: $186.99
All of these, with the exception of the spark plug wire set, were purchased on Amazon.com. Many of the prices fluctuate on there so I'd keep an eye out (the spark plugs are already a dollar more each and the O2 sensor is $10 less). The serpentine belt and O2 sensor installs were pretty straight forward. As for the rest, I followed this guy's videos on YouTube. He has a slight accent and an IS300 that's a few years older. It's the same engine though with only a couple differences as far as I could tell from the parts I worked on. Just search through his videos to find the IS300 ones or I can post the links to each in this post. Here's his channel:
Alexey Gavrilov - YouTube
Not too bad of a job, only one hiccup. The plug to the MAF sensor wasn't snapped in all the way so I was getting a CEL. Just had to plug it in the rest of the way. I probably just nudged it with my knee by accident.
#2
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nice job man. i love to see people doing this stuff on their own. granted if money grew on trees the dealership would be the right way to go. but not in my life. if there is ANY way i can do it, i do. if not, i call my buddy and between the two of us we get it done. congrats. sounds like you got all maintenance under your own control now
#3
Exactly what I'm planning on doing to my 99 GS once it warms up here, ridiculous how much the dealer charges, glad to hear it went smooth for you, I hope it does for me as this will be my first time doing any of this with this car, what did you use to seal the gaskets?
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nice job man. i love to see people doing this stuff on their own. granted if money grew on trees the dealership would be the right way to go. but not in my life. if there is ANY way i can do it, i do. if not, i call my buddy and between the two of us we get it done. congrats. sounds like you got all maintenance under your own control now
Exactly what I'm planning on doing to my 99 GS once it warms up here, ridiculous how much the dealer charges, glad to hear it went smooth for you, I hope it does for me as this will be my first time doing any of this with this car, what did you use to seal the gaskets?
#5
Advanced
Yeah I usually leave the bigger and riskier jobs to the dealership or my mechanic. The other couple of things that shot the price way up to where it is will have to be done by one of them. But it does feel pretty good fixing things up and paying so little to do so.
I didn't have to use anything to seal them. As far as I know, you don't need to seal rubber gaskets at first. The sealant is for when the gaskets get older and harder and start to leak oil but I'd just replace them at that point anyway. I could be wrong but things have been good so far. The rubber is very very strong and flexible when it's new so I'd think it would be fine without it. The old ones snapped anytime I bent them past a 90 degree angle.
I didn't have to use anything to seal them. As far as I know, you don't need to seal rubber gaskets at first. The sealant is for when the gaskets get older and harder and start to leak oil but I'd just replace them at that point anyway. I could be wrong but things have been good so far. The rubber is very very strong and flexible when it's new so I'd think it would be fine without it. The old ones snapped anytime I bent them past a 90 degree angle.
I need to do my spark plug wires, I bought the denso ones off rockauto but they came without the clips that have the letters on them, did you experience this? Can I use the clips off the old wires? What are you guys doing in this situation?
#6
When I did my valve cover gasket I used a fel pro rubber gasket and I didn't use any sealant at all. This is the second time I changed my vcv without any sealant and I haven't had a leak.
I need to do my spark plug wires, I bought the denso ones off rockauto but they came without the clips that have the letters on them, did you experience this? Can I use the clips off the old wires? What are you guys doing in this situation?
I need to do my spark plug wires, I bought the denso ones off rockauto but they came without the clips that have the letters on them, did you experience this? Can I use the clips off the old wires? What are you guys doing in this situation?
#7
Just finished doing my VCGs yesterday. The way the gasket is made, there is no need for a sealer. As you know, it is not a flat gasket but has a raised flange-like middle that fits into a recess in the valve cover. That makes the sealer unnecessary. The biggest mistake some people make with VCGs is torquing them down too tight or not in the correct sequence (from the middle outwards). On a GS300 they only need 6.25 ft/lb. Putting them on too tight cases the VC to warp ever-so-slightly, and therefore, leak. Then they feel the need for a sealer.
As for the clips, two of mine broke when I was changing the plugs. Fortunately, I ordered a set off eBay. Set came with 6 clips although I only needed 3; $28 for the set. Used Denso plugs - twin ground platinum; same as the ones I took out.
As for the clips, two of mine broke when I was changing the plugs. Fortunately, I ordered a set off eBay. Set came with 6 clips although I only needed 3; $28 for the set. Used Denso plugs - twin ground platinum; same as the ones I took out.
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#9
Now for the parts and quotes. Remember, these are all just the prices of the parts, not including the labor charges.
Valve cover gasket (found engine oil leak): $497.08
Ignition wires (mine were original): $80.51
Serpentine belt (I did this over the summer): $60.65
Spark plugs (mine were original): $407.52
Oxygen sensor (bank 2, sensor 2, under car): $465.07
Total: $1510.83
Valve cover gasket (found engine oil leak): $497.08
Ignition wires (mine were original): $80.51
Serpentine belt (I did this over the summer): $60.65
Spark plugs (mine were original): $407.52
Oxygen sensor (bank 2, sensor 2, under car): $465.07
Total: $1510.83
$400 for 6 spark plugs!?! ($68 EACH!!!)
O2 sensor $465
Find a new dealer$hip. My local dealer "only" wanted $265 for an O2 sensor. Like you, I bought a genuine Denso, same as OEM for $60 online.
Whenever I have to buy parts I always call the dealership for a quote. It makes me feel so much better about the real price.
#10
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When I did my valve cover gasket I used a fel pro rubber gasket and I didn't use any sealant at all. This is the second time I changed my vcv without any sealant and I haven't had a leak.
I need to do my spark plug wires, I bought the denso ones off rockauto but they came without the clips that have the letters on them, did you experience this? Can I use the clips off the old wires? What are you guys doing in this situation?
I need to do my spark plug wires, I bought the denso ones off rockauto but they came without the clips that have the letters on them, did you experience this? Can I use the clips off the old wires? What are you guys doing in this situation?
$500 for valve cover gaskets!?!
$400 for 6 spark plugs!?! ($68 EACH!!!)
O2 sensor $465
Find a new dealer$hip. My local dealer "only" wanted $265 for an O2 sensor. Like you, I bought a genuine Denso, same as OEM for $60 online.
Whenever I have to buy parts I always call the dealership for a quote. It makes me feel so much better about the real price.
$400 for 6 spark plugs!?! ($68 EACH!!!)
O2 sensor $465
Find a new dealer$hip. My local dealer "only" wanted $265 for an O2 sensor. Like you, I bought a genuine Denso, same as OEM for $60 online.
Whenever I have to buy parts I always call the dealership for a quote. It makes me feel so much better about the real price.
#13
If that's true I'd find a different dealership, 500$ for valve cover gaskets has to be wrong, I mean on sewell it's like 30$ for both of them oem, and I bought spark plugs at my dealer all 6 for like 60$..