Havnt seen a thread with a walkthrough. I know some members are well past 120K. I also know that the previous Gens were a PITA due to removing the wipers and cowl. Is that the same on the Gen 4? Anyone done a write up?
Here you go: Just changed the spark plugs in my Prius prime 2017 | PriusChat I was having a tough time finding it, then got cagey, used this search string with google: priuschat mendel leisk hands that could pull nails
Alright, looks much better than previous Gens as long as the Prime setup under the hood is similar enough to the Gen 4 non Prime. Thanks
tried to change mine today. 2016 prius 3 touring. Had trouble using regular 5/8 spark plug socket, feels it's too deep. Ordered tools on amazon for extra deep sockets... wish me luck. might create a video for you tube. any one else having issues with spark plug removal? also getting confused using BOSCH 9603 vs BOSCH 9620... is there a difference?
tried to pull it off but this project is driving me bonkers... looks like the 9603 is for the 2016 prius c and the 9620 is for the regular prius. damn amazon had it listed wrong when i bought it a few months ago. Re-ordered plugs from amazon but prime shipping will deliver in 7 days.... Wth happened to next day delivery???!@@# damn covid. Might as well drop by the local autozone.
Sometimes buying from a Toyota dealer (online or locally) is advantageous, as you will get the correct, or an updated, plug. For example, the Gen-3 Prius plug was updated to a hotter plug, 5 years after release, but most places still list the original plug as replacement. McGeorge Toyota in Richmond has had very competitive prices. If the plugs are the same size as the Gen-3, you'll need a 9/16" plug socket. I had to run to AutoZone to find one after taking off my cowl. (I believe the actual size is 14mm).
Here's 4th gen Repair Manual info on spark plugs. I see the dry-threads torque is still 15 foot pounds.
I gave up on a 2018 Prius. The wire connectors that attach to the ignition coils would NOT come off, not one of them. Tried pressing in all the likely places (I think you press down on the back end, but I tried other places as well), then push the connector towards the coil, then pull off. WD-40, screw driver to pry, etc. etc.
if pressing down at the designated spot doesn't work, gently pry up on the other end, right where the locking latch is, as you pull on the connector.
Thanks for posting that, Mendel....our 2017 Prius will be needing new plugs in a couple years but I may get it done sooner since it's my daughter's car and getting my hands on it for an afternoon can be an issue so I have to get stuff done when I have it! Mcswell: Sometimes I have to lift up the bottom of the connect with a flat-head and then use my big flathead screwdriver to coax the connector off....while trying not to break anything!!
Yeah, when I was in the Navy (I see you were in the Air Force), we had a saying: if at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer. But breaking something on my daughter's Prius was my worry. I wiggled, pushed, pried, prodded (and one of my prying tools was indeed a flathead screwdriver). But I didn't want a spark plug replacement to turn into a connector replacement to turn into a something else replacement. So I stopped, and I'll probably let a shop do it.
Thanks, I was just too afraid I'd break something. There was some kind of flimsy plastic piece, like the Greek letter pi, which pulled up easily, and then cracked. I don't think it's holding anything on, so I wasn't too worried about that. But the rest of the connector... I'm just too chicken.
Visual aids (our 3rd gen, hopefully similar): first off, I don't think I've noticed (or forgot), that they alternate black/white: Close up on the white one, just because the black locking tab stands out: ^ It's ostensibly a rocker, with the hinge point somewhere around the dashed line. Theoretically when you push down at the top the other end lifts up and off the locking tab. In practice they sometime are ineffective, the rocker just flexes, or doesn't completely lift off the locking tab. Then a careful pry at the bottom edge can help. I find a knife blade tip optimum for the prying, less bulky than a flat-blade screwdriver.
I don't blame you and I agree, if something breaks the easy job just went up to the next level. I worked a lot with my Navy brothers and sisters, especially the Intel folks at NSGA (Now called NAVSECGRU...gotta love military acronyms!) For Iraqi Freedom, I spent a few months at Sigonella Naval Station (SIGGY) in Sicily....great place! But my favorite US Navy installation was Subic Bay, in the Philippines....great memories!
