Are you changing the rear spark plugs on your older Sienna using the shortcut described here • Toyota Sienna 02 spark... ? You will learn something useful here. Warning: I a ramble a lot, so don’t hit Play if that bugs you.
I changed the rear plugs in late February. Now I need to change the 02 sensor on the back side of the motor. I tried reaching up from underneath the van but couldn't get my arm up far enough to unhook the connector. So I went hunting in my RU-vid history to find this video and the one by the Spanish-speaking gentlemen. Yes, with the removal of the windshield wiper cowling and the duct on the passenger side, I had plenty of room to get the plugs out. Now, let's see if I can reach the 02 sensor connector! Thanks for your contribution to Weekend Mechanics Unlimited!
I'm replacing the spark plugs on my Toyota Sienna 2000 3l, for 3rd time since I own it, I have never had to take any part away. It's really not that difficult. The trick is to put a big piece of plywood over the engine (about 2' x 3') so you can climb on the engine and put your full chest on it, and then you can work blind on the spark plugs on the back, with your both arms and hands free. I just use a smaller wrench (about 4" long), and several short pieces of extension so I can assemble all that behind the manifold. The hardest in the cylinder #6, but you can make it accessing from both sides at the same time (that's why the plywood helps), using the socket and one 2" extension, and then add another 1.5" or so extension, and then slide the wrench from the right side (throttle body side) and extract that spark plug. Total time for everything is about 30 minutes. My engine was running rough, and one of the platinum spark plug had a longitudinal long crack, only 20 000km on it.
Saw the factory recommended procedure so I was ready to faged-about-it. Then I saw this and the Spanish speaking version. Went ahead and did the procedure with no issues. FYI I found that there was no need to move the manifold bracket as described in the Spanish version at about 3:30. Thanks for sharing with the motor-heads of the world.
I'm not surprised the dealer would insist that changing the plugs is a four hour procedure costing several hundred bucks. But the majority of RU-vid videos show the same lengthy and difficult process. The more creative shortcuts, tricks, and tips did not work for me. And yes, that manifold bracket was designed by an engineer from hell. So glad I did not end up needing to do that step.
Bravo!!! I’ve heard the gen1’s (98-02I believe...3.0 liter) were manageable with determination without removing manifold, etc,etc. unlike the 2003+ models with plastic manifold (3.3 liter). Removing wiper hardware plus that extra box in passenger left corner seems key. Thank you for making this video!!!
Considering how expensive and difficult the back three plugs are to reach, I started to wonder something. Wouldn't it be very tempting for a lazy mechanic to leave those difficult three plugs in, but charge you for all six? I know that no reputable person would do that. But it makes me wonder how you would ever know for sure since you cannot pull even one of the plugs to make sure it looks new. Not a very constructive comment, but it is a good argument for either doing it yourself or making sure you use a very reputable mechanic.
i used a socket/extenison on all 3 reaching my hand thru each side area.just follow the left wires how they go thru to the back side cant miss.right side put your hand thru under throttle body and wooop there it is number 6/5 plug 10min time all 3.put socket wrench on last
I suspect there are others who can reach and remove the rear plugs like you did. I think others will find several things would affect your success in simply reaching back and changing them without removing anything: 1) correct hand and arm size, 2) being able to "see" with your fingers (because you're working in a blindspot), 3) having the right tools (I had to buy several before finding exactly what worked for my situation), 4) strength in your back for leaning so far and so long overthe engine, 5) and you'll need the patience of a Saint for not cursing the #$@& engineers who put something as basic as spark plugs in such an awkward location. Do whatever works. For me, it simply did not work unless I disassembled the entire top of the engine like Toyota requires or (much preferred) removed that one airbox.
So I changed mine on the same 98 toyota in this video(Same color and everything.) My hands were small enough, barely small enough to reach behind and get the 3 in the back. I had to use the shortest wrench I had but it worked. I couldn't see anything just be careful, go slow and feel your way around. Whole process took bout 20 minutes or so to change all 6 plugs. I didn't have to remove anything to get the back 3 saving time and money. I'm not a mechanic and the mechanic wanted 2 to 3 hours if labor. F#ck that noise. Do it yourself or have someone with smaller hands help out, lol.
You've proven it is possible to change all six plugs without melodramatic tricks. I have oversized "ape" hands, but there was another problem. Those back plugs are so far out of sight that it's hard to even picture in your mind what you are trying to do. The angles are tricky (to me) and most RU-vid videos required combining several sockets, extenders, and universal joints. But even doing all of that was not enough until I discovered that I could remove that pesky airbox and give my aching back a rest.
I'm not 100% sure but I think they were Denso. Considering that these are only changed every 100K miles, it seems worth spending extra to get what the manufacturer recommends.
Now and then, someone will report having no problem reaching the rear spark plugs. Obviously, this would depend on someone's hand size and dexterity. I have pretty good dexterity, but my hands? I wear size 15 shoes and XXL gloves.
@@JRInnes Here is the title of the video "1998 toyota sinna van rear spark plug change easy way" you can check him out, he is no exactly a small man. But I'd say being also tall gets you a longer reach. Either way I gotta replace valve cover gasket, might as well get those back sparks & pcv? What do you think?
This man's Spanish language video is a perfect example of how RU-vid (and similar DIY videos) are keeping American know-how alive. There was a time when a dad or uncle or neighbor down the street would teach teenagers the essentials of auto works. In cities, those generational chains seem to be fading fast. The average 20-something thinks that getting to the next level of Fortnite is more worthwhile than learning to break loose a stuck lug nut. This Spanish-speaking gentleman has that classic no-nonsense style of teaching. English? Spanish? Heck, he doesn't care. Just like that cranky neighbor down he street, if you don't take the trouble to figure out what he's saying, fine-he'll just teach it to someone else who does.
Hi. Sorry, but I don't know how to change the pcv valve. Like many amateurs, I only know how to do a few random things. (Just in case your ancestors are from Vietnam, I will say "Tôi chúc bạn may mắn.")
Super easy, no need to remove anything. It's a black and grey little plastic L piece on the left side of the top of the engine. If it's been in there a while, it can be hard to remove. But you can get some needle nose pliers in there.
The auto parts store can provide the correct type of spark plugs. Matching the correct wire to each plug requires removing only one wire/plug at a time. That way, there's no confusion when reattaching the wires. I hope that helps.
