How to change spark plugs on 1MZ-FE under 1 hour - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

 

I did my plugs on my 95 camry V6 and Avalon. The rears of course are the difficult ones since they are up against the firewall. I concur with Toyomoho with some skill, feedback from this forum and online videos you can do it w/o removing everything the manual states.

For my 2009 Avalon the dealer wanted $600 I believe.

 

I just replaced all six spark plugs on my 2002 Camry LE with the V6 1MZ-FE. Use the Denso Iridium plugs that match your vehicle. Replacing the front three plugs are easy. The back three plugs are quite difficult to replace due to clearance issues--as I'm writing this, my hands are cut up & my back is still sore, lol. The items below should help you replace the back three spark plugs without removing the intake:

1. Disconnect the battery.

2. Remove the upper motor mount (sometimes called the "dogbone" mount) on the passenger's side. This motor mount is easily accessible, just remove two 12mm bolts.

3. While the vehicle is in park, rock the vehicle back & forth, then throw the emergency brake when the vehicle is at maximum forward momentum. This trick (via Eric the Car Guy) will raise the back of the motor by half an inch. You'll need that extra clearance. Note: you need to perform Step #2 (remove upper motor mount) before you can perform this step.

4. Tools used: a 5/8" spark plug socket, 5" extension, and a 12mm socket (for motor mount bolts); a 10mm flex ratcheting box wrench (for the coil bolt), a fine-tooth flex ratchet and a small quick release ratchet (for the back middle plug).

5. From the passenger side, you can remove the rear passenger-side plug and the rear middle spark plug. You'll first need to unplug the PCV valve & push the PCV hose out of the way.

6. From the driver's side, you can remove the rear drivers-side plug.

Tools I used: Craftsman U.S.A. 5/8" spark plug socket, 5" extension, 12mm socket; Tekton 10mm Flex Ratcheting Box Wrench; Snap-on Dual 80 Flex 3/8” Ratchet; Craftsman Quick Release 44811 3/8” Ratchet.

 

Great job and number two and three I will use next time. In my neck of the woods when I come to work Monday they think I was in a fight. I have to explain. Few folks, at least in my area, do what we do.

Well written procedure!!!