Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

Lots of posts here on doing the back 3 plugs, removing the air intake and parts, hoses, etc. Absolutely not necessary! Those 3 plugs can be changed in less than an hour, the front 3 in about 15 minutes.



I guess some of the posts recommending removal of the air intake and associated parts were directed at fixing a valve cover leak, which be a no-brainer to do plugs while the top of the engine is clear. Regardless, this is a greatly exaggerated job in terms of difficulty IMO. I postponed it for 6 months needlessly.



I'm using Toyota's cylinder numbering, which is 1,3,5 for these hard-to-see plugs, viewed from the front of the engine.



Tools Used



1 3/8" drive ratchet

2 6" extensions

1 5/8" sparkplug socket (has a rubber insert to hold the plug)

1 3/8" drive torque wrench.



Procedure



1. Set up some lighting to illuminate behind and under the intake. Grip the plug cap for #1 and pull it firmly up, off the plug. Get it out of the way of the tube. Do the same for #3 and #5. I removed the wires from the little holder to make this easier. The 3 plug tube holes should now be easily visible. The cap removal exercise will familiarize your 'mechanics hands' with the 3 plug holes. Most of what follows is done by feel, as you won't be able to see much while you work.



2. Attach a 6" extension to the plug socket and fish it into the #1 plug tube/hole. Get it firmly onto the plug, attach the ratchet, and turn the plug out. Mine were very stiff, probably not changed in over 200,000KM's. Remove the ratchet, then the extension with the socket and plug.



3. Remove the nut holding the PS hard-line hose to the intake. Fish the 6" extension and socket into the plug tube for #3. Insert the second 6" extension into the first, then the ratchet to turn the plug out. There is plenty of room to work, the ratchet will just fit next to the cowl welting, above the intake. When it's out of the threaded hole, detach the second extension and remove the plug/extension/socket from the tube.



4. #5 is the same drill as #3, except there is no PS hose in the way of getting a straight shot at the plug, but you may find this one easier to work at from the driver's side.



5. Put some anti-sieze on the threads of the new #1, insert in the socket, fish it into the tube and start the plug by hand 2-3 turns to ensure it's not cross-threaded. Attach the ratchet and turn it in all the way. Set the torque wrench to 13 ft lbs and torque it in place.



6. Do the same for #3 and #5, using 1 6" extension to get the plug started, then attach the second extension and finish with the torque wrench.



7. Replace the caps, the PS hose bracket nut, and put the wires back into the little holder. #1 goes on the bottom. I also dabbed a bit of die-electric grease on each plug tip before inserting into the socket.



8. The front 3 plugs, #2, 4 and 6, are super easy. Just detach the 2 wire leads from each coil, undo the 10mm bolt, remove the coils and change the plugs.



I measured the plug gap on the new plugs (Denso double electode platinum) at 1.12mm. The old ones were 1.22mm. They were all a nice light brown colour though, so I think the engine is in good shape.

Reply 1 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

I just changed mine a little while ago. The only thing that was a problem were the ones in the back.

Reply 2 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

Are you sure this is for a 1MZ-FE and not a 3VZ-FE because I thought the 1MZ had coil-over-plugs...

Reply 3 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

This procedure is for the V6 1MZFE engine in a 1996 Camry, USA built, which has 3 coils on the front-most cylinder head plugs. Each coil feeds 2 plugs, which I believe is known as 'waste spark ignition'. The 3 hard-to-see plugs in the back, underneath the air intake, have rubber caps with extended 'tubes' to the plugs on them only.



There are many threads on here that reference removing the air intake assembly to access these 3 plugs, which is why I wrote this up, since it is a total waste of time to do this.



The Aus/New Z. version may be a different set-up though.....

Reply 4 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

OMG, people take the Intake off to do the plugs, i rather bust my hands then do that. I always prefer to remove nothing at all when doing Plugs with a customer's car, u never know what hose will break and never go back in place.

Reply 5 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

Quote:

Originally Posted by donbryce This procedure is for the V6 1MZFE engine in a 1996 Camry, USA built, which has 3 coils on the front-most cylinder head plugs. Each coil feeds 2 plugs, which I believe is known as 'waste spark ignition'. The 3 hard-to-see plugs in the back, underneath the air intake, have rubber caps with extended 'tubes' to the plugs on them only.

that must be the canadian version 'cause my 94 has a coil over each plug

weird

Reply 6 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

1994 Camry 1MZ: 6 coil packs, need to remove plenum.



1995-1996 Camry 1MZ: 3 coil packs, from back. You can change all plugs without removing intake plenum.



1997-2001, same as above, but firewall extenze much farther so you will likely have to take off the intake plenum.

Reply 7 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASG14 1994 Camry 1MZ: 6 coil packs, need to remove plenum. 1995-1996 Camry 1MZ: 3 coil packs, from back. You can change all plugs without removing intake plenum. 1997-2001, same as above, but firewall extenze much farther so you will likely have to take off the intake plenum.

your info is almost all correct. my 95 had 6 coil packs. and i could change the plugs without removing the plenum... till i got the s/c. also, when i worked for toyota, i did plenty of tuneups on gen4 v6s without taking off the plenum. it helps that i have long fingers and skinny arms tho.

Reply 8 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

Now how do I do this procedure on a 99 Sienna with the exact same engine? The PCV valve and other stuff diffinitely get in the way of the 1st rear plug.

Reply 9 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

I saw some of the other guys in the shop remove the big wiper/windshield cowl from above the engine to gain access to the back of the motor. I never bothered trying to figure out how to remove it, since I was able to get to everything I needed without removing it... i have long skinny arms and fingers, and i'm comfortable working blind - entirely by touch. as long as the engine isn't too hot of course!

Reply 10 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibson99 i have long skinny arms and fingers, and i'm comfortable working blind - entirely by touch.

I bet the girls love that!



Sorry, I had to.

Reply 11 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

Yeah I didn't have to remove the intake manifold i just used small ratchets to get to the rears and swivel sockets. It took a lot of patience but it got the job done.

Reply 12 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

I followed donbryce's procedure.

Replacing the spark plugs becomes so easy.

Bravo!

Reply 13 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

is there a sticky post for changing plugs with taking plenum off?

Reply 14 : Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

Does anyone have any opinions on the Diamond Fire E3 spark plugs? I have been wanting to change the plugs in my 2001 but wanted to find out more about these.