Love your show, Scotty. Am asking about my 2011 Toyota Venza, V6, 98000 miles, runs great but is driven only about 3000 miles per year. (Wife and I are 76 and don't go anywhere much.)
Q: Should I have the spark plugs changed in this 12-year-old car?
Back in the '60s (and later, for my '77 Chevy Malibu station wagon, 350 V8) I'd give the car a tune up, in which replacing the sparkplugs was par for the course.
But on Toyota's V6, as you know, one bank is easy to access, and one bank is right up against the firewall. I can no longer bend over an engine for hours.
The local Toyota dealer wants $650 (!) to change the sparkplugs.
Seems to me I have two options:
1) Do nothing. The spark plugs will be -- or already are -- hard to get out, but I'll be dead and gone. I hate this option.
2) Find a garage to change the spark plugs. What I worry about here is a garage telling me they replaced the back bank of plugs but it was only pencil whip work, and I'd never know, at least not for years.
I'm leaning to hiring one of those mechanics trying to pick up a little extra money in his or my driveway, where I can see all the spark plugs replaced, gapped correctly, etc.
I welcome your thoughts.
Steve, San Antonio TX
Scotty's answer at 9:30. To listen or not to listen, that's up to you {pear}:smile:
https://youtu.be/g7LctKUS9ow?si=rt_W2zRw6ag4lX1X
Many thanks, GT. Scotty addressed my question perfectly. I'll be pulling out the front plugs soon as it gets a little cooler (here in Texas).
You're welcome. I'm glad you find it useful.
If the vehicle is running fine I would just leave it. It won’t hurt anything.
Hmm, you are at the threshold for the lifespan of Iridium plugs, 100K - 120K miles. I think I’ve heard Scotty say they can run longer too.
FWIW, on my Prius, I have about 310K+ miles and I’ve never changed the spark plugs. I figure since the engine doesn’t idle much (since it is a hybrid), and it doesn’t burn oil, that the plugs should last longer than normal.
Also, it is a little effort to get into the Prius spark plugs (unless you are clever and limber with the tools) because the cowl and wiper assembly have to come off.
If you do change them out, spend the extra penny with on iridium (or long life) plugs, so you don’t have to worry about it.
I know some folks may beg to differ, but I would wait. Just from anecdotal evidence it seems the original Toyota plugs can last longer than the interval stated.
Come to think of it, perhaps you can do an inspection in the front ones! Since they are easier to pull. Take a look at one of them, and see how fouled and gappy they are. If it is foiled and gappy, spend the penny to change them all. If it is not, keep it going and re-assess at 120K or so.
"Perhaps you can do an inspection in the front ones! Since they are easier to pull. Take a look at one of them, and see how fouled and gappy they are. If it is foiled and gappy, spend the penny to change them all. If it is not, keep it going and re-assess at 120K or so."
I like this idea a lot. Thanks.
My 2008 highlander (same V6 engine) has 140K miles with original spark plugs. I checked the front bank and all 3 looked perfectly fine, so i plan on leaving them in. It's a big job replacing that rear bank and another issue is how many of the plastic connectors are going to break when you tear it apart due to its age? It could turn into a rats nest so just leave them alone until you have problems or you need to get to the rear bank for something else, then do it.
What does Toyota specify for the spark plug change interval on that model? The rear bank of plugs is difficult to replace on most if not all transverse front-drive V6 cars, frequently requiring removal of the intake manifold.
The dealer is your most expensive option and you can bet your sweet bippy they will do a "free multi-point inspection" which they will claim shows you need thousands of dollars in repairs. (Service writers are paid a commission.) Stay away from the dealer and from chain shops like Pep Boys and Midas as well. Find a good local independent shop or, as you say, a mechanic doing side work.
If the vehicle is running fine I would just leave it.
+1 (have done this myself)
"My 2008 highlander (same V6 engine) has 140K miles with original spark plugs."
Exactly what I was hoping to hear. At 3K miles per year, it's 13 more years until our Venza is at 140K miles. By then I'll be 90 and the keys already taken from my shaking fingers.
Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.