DIY Spark Plug Change With Pics
01-03-17, 05:59 PM
#76
Pole Position
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...tube-seal.html
See the blue gaskets being installed on the underside of the valve cover in this video ... those are the plug tube seals >
See the blue gaskets being installed on the underside of the valve cover in this video ... those are the plug tube seals >
01-04-17, 04:52 AM
#77
Lexus Fanatic
Thanks all for the reply. I already used the torque wrench to 15 ft lbs and everything went well. The plugs that were removed are ORIGINAL. 1 out of 8 was loose and removed it by hand only. My engine is smoother now but it was ok before just poor MPG. I am hoping with the spark plug change my MPG will improve. As far as the torque wrench I felt the washers get crushed and the amount of force I put on the wrench felt consistent in all 8 plugs. I am not worried about that but to be safe, I will check the plugs 1/4 th life or 30, 000 miles from now. My main question is the loose plug what impact did that have on the engine? I did notice after I put in the new plugs the car exhaust smell was strong for a few hard accelerations then gone. I think that was due to the carbon built up due to lack of full compression. What is surprising is why did I not get an engine light on?
The smell is gone now. I did notice the engine is quieter and smoother but same amount of power as before. I am thinking to reset my ECU by disconnecting the negative battery for 10 mins and see if that changes the engine behavior.
Any feedback regarding what impact a loose plug has on your engine? Why engine light did not go on? Thanks!
The smell is gone now. I did notice the engine is quieter and smoother but same amount of power as before. I am thinking to reset my ECU by disconnecting the negative battery for 10 mins and see if that changes the engine behavior.
Any feedback regarding what impact a loose plug has on your engine? Why engine light did not go on? Thanks!
04-06-17, 09:15 PM
#78
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Thanks for this awesome post! I purchased my SC430 new in Dec of 2002 (2003 model year). In 14-years, I've put 61,000 miles and thought new plugs were in order. Seems like 10-15% boost in power - thanks to this great post. Thank you, Thank you and Thank you!
04-07-17, 05:36 AM
#79
Lexus Fanatic
I guess I won't be doing this for a couple years as I'm at 88k, but on the BMW, locking extensions really help. I have a nice one made by SK, but it was too long for the #5 cyl. which is obstructed by the strut tower bar, so I bought a cheaper set on amazon with 3 lengths. Not subject to debate by the mfg., but folks debate it anyway, with that car, is never use antiseize on the plugs, and make sure your torque wrench is accurate to 17 ft lbs. (this implies something like a 5-75 since torque wrenches are not accurate below 20% of their upper range)...I'm sure locking extensions can't hurt with the Lexus as well....and I cannot get over how inexpensive the plugs are for this car, that is nice! (Maxima was $12 each, BMW was $15 and OEM was even higher)
04-12-17, 03:24 PM
#80
Driver School Candidate
Do I need to change spark plugs?
I have a 2003 SC 430 but it only has 40k miles. The previous owner obviously did not drive it much. Service light came on and it is indicating a misfire on one cylinder. I am planning on just changing them all due to age but not sure it is necessary.
04-12-17, 03:44 PM
#81
Instructor
I would check the wires to the coil on the cylinder that is misfiring closely for damage. It's that or a bad coil most likely.
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johnnyocho (04-12-17)
05-22-17, 07:03 AM
#82
I would replace the coil. misfire is usually a coil not a spark plug.
06-25-17, 11:55 AM
#83
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Followed as instructed and everything went smoothly. Took about 90 min. No battery removal needed but I did think that last one would take more time. Last changed at 121k just before I bought it in 04/2014 and has 203k. All in less than $90.
06-27-17, 07:33 AM
#84
Nice job!!! What plugs did you use?
06-27-17, 09:07 AM
#85
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DIY Lexus SC430 spark plug change
Thanks for all of the posts, they were very helpful.
One of the posts showed a picture of the "magnetic gear spark plug wrench" -- That tool is amazing for getting at the plugs and not dropping them. I bought mine at Amazon for $15 or so. Probably saved me 1 hour.
Robert
One of the posts showed a picture of the "magnetic gear spark plug wrench" -- That tool is amazing for getting at the plugs and not dropping them. I bought mine at Amazon for $15 or so. Probably saved me 1 hour.
Robert
07-01-17, 05:02 AM
#87
Lexus Fanatic
I'm not looking forward to this job for some reason, but what can one do, I'm at 93k. From past experience I can't emphasize enough how helpful I find the locking extension bars to be, and also the 5-75 ft lb 3/8 torque wrench. On the other forum we've been lectured until the sun goes down by folks who have assembled race car motors how a torque wrench is for rookies who don't know what they're doing. Don't care, I use it lol
Also from experience, I have never seen any benefit from replacing plugs, probably because I've always done them at the recommended interval (meaning, what's the difference between 119,999.9 and 120,000.1)....my other car has a 45k interval, so it's pretty frequent, yet still no change after new plugs go in...
Also from experience, I have never seen any benefit from replacing plugs, probably because I've always done them at the recommended interval (meaning, what's the difference between 119,999.9 and 120,000.1)....my other car has a 45k interval, so it's pretty frequent, yet still no change after new plugs go in...
07-01-17, 07:42 AM
#88
I'm not looking forward to this job for some reason, but what can one do, I'm at 93k. From past experience I can't emphasize enough how helpful I find the locking extension bars to be, and also the 5-75 ft lb 3/8 torque wrench. On the other forum we've been lectured until the sun goes down by folks who have assembled race car motors how a torque wrench is for rookies who don't know what they're doing. Don't care, I use it lol
Also from experience, I have never seen any benefit from replacing plugs, probably because I've always done them at the recommended interval (meaning, what's the difference between 119,999.9 and 120,000.1)....my other car has a 45k interval, so it's pretty frequent, yet still no change after new plugs go in...
Also from experience, I have never seen any benefit from replacing plugs, probably because I've always done them at the recommended interval (meaning, what's the difference between 119,999.9 and 120,000.1)....my other car has a 45k interval, so it's pretty frequent, yet still no change after new plugs go in...
The only aspect that I'll emphasize (since I damaged mine and was troubleshooting for days afterwards), is the delicate wire connection at each plug. Here's my thread from last year. A pic of the delicate connector where you need to be extremely careful is on post #21... https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...e-shaking.html I apparently squeezed 1 wire out of it's connector when trying to grip the connector with my hands. Some sort of duckbilll plier or similar would be helpful!
What plugs will you be using?
07-01-17, 07:51 AM
#89
Lexus Fanatic
Don't have anxiety about doing the plugs. I'm no master mechanic, but I'd rate the job about a 3.5 on the difficulty scale of 1-10 with 1=easiest. As long as you have a nice assortment of extension bars and some swivel sockets, etc, you'll be fine. (To seize or not to use seize? lol) Just take your time and allocate about half a day (4hours) and you should be ok, and try to use a torque wrench.
The only aspect that I'll emphasize (since I damaged mine and was troubleshooting for days afterwards), is the delicate wire connection at each plug. Here's my thread from last year. A pic of the delicate connector where you need to be extremely careful is on post #21... https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...e-shaking.html I apparently squeezed 1 wire out of it's connector when trying to grip the connector with my hands. Some sort of duckbilll plier or similar would be helpful!
What plugs will you be using?
The only aspect that I'll emphasize (since I damaged mine and was troubleshooting for days afterwards), is the delicate wire connection at each plug. Here's my thread from last year. A pic of the delicate connector where you need to be extremely careful is on post #21... https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...e-shaking.html I apparently squeezed 1 wire out of it's connector when trying to grip the connector with my hands. Some sort of duckbilll plier or similar would be helpful!
What plugs will you be using?
Thx, I was just poking around and saw it seems only 1 plug is not visible with the cover on....I would use either oem or the oe....prefer to keep things the same...I remember searching and they were surprisingly not expensive....even the Maxima was like $12 ea?
Haha I would never use anti seize....and I am a big fan like on brake rotors....
02-15-18, 03:24 PM
#90
Driver School Candidate
Spark plugs changed
Got the Sc430 back today after the spark plugs were changed. Felt good driving but did not seem to be as peppy when you touch that accelerator it had a take off GO ! Was not able to take it to Lexus so had to settle for a local garage. He stated they put platinum in the car. Does this change the performance ? I just know when I turn a corner to accelerate the car lifts and goes.. Now it seems to just go. Is this imagination or is there a difference in performing ? Thank you!!