Spark Plug and Ignition Coil replacement (2 Viewers)

[Rockabilly Nick]

On my way in to work today, my 03 LX470 starting bucking/hesitating a bit. Check engine light blinked for a little while when I accelerated up a hill at 55mph. CEL stopped blinking once I got up hill, and truck stopped bucking. I stopped at a parking lot so I could look into it (as best as I can given my limited mechanic skills). Everything seemed ok. Started back up, drove to work with no further issues. After looking into it on this site it sounds like I should replace the spark plugs and ignition coils. I called my local Toyota dealer. Now don't get me wrong, I always assume the dealership is going to be higher price than an independent shop, but they said $363 for the plugs and $2747.00 for the ignition coils. I asked if there was a typo in the ignition coil charge and they said no, the "coil itself is $2077.00"
This can't be right can it?

 

[kbfj621989]

Regular dealership MSRP for the coils are $156.91 each. You can get Denso coils from Rockauto for $50 each.

MSRP for the spark plugs is $13.29 each. You can find them online for $ 9-10 each.

Which dealership is trying to rip you off?

 

[Rockabilly Nick]

Thanks for the quick response. Quote was through my local Toyota dealership in La Crosse, WI. I was just taken aback because I just had the water pump/timing belt done by them for $1200 which is the same quote an independent shop gave me. Ugh. I may try and DIY it. This was not on my "upcoming needs" list for my vehicle. I guess thats how it goes when you have a 22 year old vehicle for a daily driver.

 

[kbfj621989]

I do not see that they have an online parts store so either they have some bad data in their parts catalogue or you have a v16 or are running two plugs and coils per cylinder, lol

 

[Alexl]

I did all my coils and plugs myself a couple years ago at 270k miles or so. It was easy and I cleaned while I was in there, mine were way overdue!. I recommend DIY if you can swing it.

 

[Rockabilly Nick]

thanks all, I'm on rockauto right now about to pull the trigger on denso plugs and coils, delivered by tomorrow for ~486 total including shipping. I have a buddy with a shop so he's gonna let me work in there so I'm warm at least. What are the thoughts on driving the vehicle over the next two days til I can get to it? I plan on doing it on Thursday.

 

[Rockabilly Nick]

Ordered them, should arrive tomorrow. I was informed I could damage the cat converter if I continue to drive it. Probably not a good idea. I hope this is actually what is wrong with it. It would be a bummer to replace this and have the problem still be there. Probably needs spark plugs regardless but still. Any other thoughts on what could be wrong based on the symptoms?

 

[Alexl]

How far are you driving? Sounds like textbook coils and plugs. I had misfire codes and blew I spark plug out of the head when mine went. My wife called me from the road, I told her to run it. She made it another 100 miles before the truck became totally undrivable. Thankfully I was able to helicoil it myself, but I don't recommend that part! Much better off doing them preventatively. If you don't know when they were last replaced, and you don't have to drive it, I wouldn't.

 

[Rockabilly Nick]

15 miles one way to work. I'll probably just park it at the shop where I'm gonna work on it and will carpool til Thursday. Appreciate the recommendation. I love this site. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts!

 

[DirtehHippeh]

I just did my spark plugs and replaced the coil boots and seals this past weekend after reading this ih8mud thread about ticking sounds when plugs start to back out. I'm super glad I did because none of the plugs were at torque spec, and the no. 7 was definitely the one ticking. I was not having any performance issues however, only the ticking.

If you're doing it in a friend's shop, hopefully they will have air. Be sure to blow all dust/debris off the engine and out of the spark plug holes before removing any of them. I even used a narrow nylon brush to make sure the area around the coils/plugs was scrubbed down before blowing off the crud.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

You should only need to replace the one coil that's causing an issue, not sure why people proactively replace all the coils. Do the plugs if it's time or you don't know if it was done by the PO. Code reader can tell you which cylinder is the coil. Also, flashing CEL is bad. Get that sometimes it's unavoidable, but it's letting you know to stop driving ASAP.

 

[2001LC]

Jump the gun a bit, buying spark plugs & coils. But can't hurt to replace.

Stop and listen from fender well. Or drive by a wall, to hear echo.

Ticking time bomb TICK TICK TICK: Spark plugs Alert Alert Alert!

TICK TICK TICK POP POP POP is a ticking time bomb, often mistaken as exhaust manifold crack or gasket leak leak. ALERT, ALERT, ALERT: Spark plugs are working themselves loose. "Walking Out" Then blowing out of head, taking their female threads of head with them! Very damaging! You think TICK...

forum.ih8mud.com

Coils, number one reason for failure: Is excessive heat. We see excessive heat for two main reasons. Excessive spark plug gap and or hot gasses in spark plug tube. These don't always just die or set off a DTC (CEL). They may just misfire. TM is correct, we don't usually need to replace all. But in some cases, it's best.

When to replace Ignition coils.

As our 100 series fleet ages we're seeing more ignition coil failures. Is there a certain mileage or age where our 100 series with the 2UZ-FE engine are seeing the need to replace one or more ignition coils? If you’ve replaced any coils please post any performance differences before & after...

forum.ih8mud.com

Make sure to check AT fluid level.
Check Engine coolant temp. VIA, OBDII port (tech stream).
Disconnect, negative battery post first. Re connect it the very last thing.
Clean both battery posts and both clamp. Grease post with white lithium grease.
Correct all vacuum leaks. ALL!
R&R spark plugs, coils if going to.
Re torque head cover bolts to 53 INCH-lbf
Clean Throttle body and MAF.
Check air filter.
Check coolant level, looking under cap.
Make sure battery clamps sung (don't over tighten), and all wire lugs connected to tight and clean.

 

[Rockabilly Nick]

Thanks, very informative. I do have ticking noises after turning engine off, but not timed in a consistent meter, just random ticking I have always attributed to the engine and surrounding components cooling down. The vehicle typically purrs like a kitten and has the silky smooth engine power that is normally attributed to this motor. I purchased with 196K miles and I've been slowly working on getting things up to snuff, just some items that it seems had been neglected, like the timing belt, etc. When I brought it in for timing belt it didn't have any sticker on it and no record but they did say it was not the original belt but appeared as though it was done around 100K (in their estimation). I know I'll need to do the steering rack at some point, and had planned to eventually do the plugs, as I don't have a record of them being changed but this speeds that up a bit. I've had the vehicle for a little over a year and now have 212000 miles on it. The way I see it, I could buy a newish vehicle for way too much money, with a huge monthly payment and still have issues, OR I could have an older-higher-mileage Lexus and pay to have things updated every so often and STILL pay less than that newer vehicle. Its all about balancing the pros and cons of each for me. I'm not ready to call it a success yet, I'll make that call in 5 years.

 

[Rockabilly Nick]

I got the plugs and coils replaced tonight. Scanner said it was coil 4. Yuppers, took the coil out of 4 and it was caked with black soot. Went to remove the plug and it wasn’t even tight. 8 new plugs, 8 new coils. I’m not sure but it feels faster? Could be like when you’re a kid though and a pair of new shoes make you jump higher. Either way, piece of mind, it’s done - wasn’t super expensive either which is awesome.

 

[Bsherv87]

Good stuff... thanks for reporting back