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Changed spark plugs!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by NavyLCDR, Jan 19, 2017.

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  1. NavyLCDR

    NavyLCDR Active Member

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    I tackled the spark plugs tonight. After about 45 minutes of getting everything out of the way, I discovered the dang spark plugs require a pretty thin 14 MM socket. Uggghhhhhhhhh! Dig through the toolbox, found a 14mm deep socket that would actually fit in the hole. But, of course, I could only unscrew the spark plug but could not retrieve it. More digging in the toolbox yielded a little 14mm magnet insert that would fit inside the socket :).

    But then trying the socket with the magnet insert in it on a new spark plug ended up with finding out the socket was no longer deep enough. So the procedure ended up being unscrewing the spark plugs with the empty socket. Retrieve the spark plug with the magnet insert in the socket. Drop the new spark plug into the hole, insert the empty socket to screw in and torque the new spark plug.

    I bought my 2011 Prius used, it has a little over 126,000 miles on it. I'm pretty sure it still had the original spark plugs. I installed NGK Laser Iridiums (4912). I hope to add a couple MPG to my current 43-44 MPG. I have a 45 mile one way commute to work that is fairly hilly.
     
    #1 NavyLCDR, Jan 19, 2017
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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah it 9/16" socket I think. 14mm is ever so slightly bigger. It's fun tearing half the car off to get to them. Really appreciate @NutzAboutBolts video.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Jan 19, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2017
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  3. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    The funny thing is... this happened to me too :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
     
    #3 NutzAboutBolts, Jan 20, 2017
  4. maurices

    maurices Member

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    What I would suggest in the above situation is to use an appropriate size vacuum hose about 6-8 inches in length that you would press over the end of the spark plug. You can than twist the hose to unscrew and remove the old plug.
     
    #4 maurices, Jan 20, 2017
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  5. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    What I did:
    Use needle-nose to remove rubber insert from old spark plug socket. Cut in half crosswise. Fit into a 9/16" deep socket. TEST with a new plug to make sure it will hold the plug and also fit over the nut.

    Now it will work.
     
    #5 Rebound, Jan 20, 2017
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  6. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Nice work Commander!
    Transaxle drain and fill next?
     
    #6 ETC(SS), Jan 20, 2017
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just for the unwary; "vacuum hose" doesn't refer to vacuum cleaner hose, rather a engine vacuum routing tube. It's just a slim, relatively thick walled tube, to grip and hold the spark plug tip.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Jan 20, 2017
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  8. NavyLCDR

    NavyLCDR Active Member

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    Actually, yes, that was my next planned maintenance. The previous owner ran over a parking bumper and bent one side of the lower radiator support back, buckling the main underside shield and completely ripping off the front bumper spoiler. I've got the replacement spoiler, waiting for a replacement radiator support and a sheet of plastic to fix the attachment points on the front bumper that were damaged when the spoiler was ripped off. Was definitely thinking of doing the transaxle fluid change when I was under it doing all the other stuff.

    I was an ELT and plankowner on USS Rhode Island SSBN-740 from 1993 to '98 or so. How about you?
     
    #8 NavyLCDR, Jan 20, 2017
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  9. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    #9 StarCaller, Jan 20, 2017
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just the tip of the iceberg, got this set when I needed the 9/16". 5/8" was all I can recall ever using, was a bit surprised to find it spinning on the Prius plugs. Can't recall ever needing 3/4" or 13/16", but then: memories drop off the far end of my "bookshelf" every decade or so.

    IMG_6235.JPG

    China's finest, maybe $20? Starting today in the States that's all gonna change. :whistle:
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Jan 20, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2017
  11. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    This is a job for Harbor Freight --- For the occasional job HF has some great deals. When the plug set goes on sale it's under 10 bucks -- for the few times I'm going to use them .. perfect. I have Snap-on for the stuff I use .. HF for the occasional. HF has some great buy for the money.
     
    #11 yeldogt, Jan 20, 2017
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  12. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Exactly. And you can put the rubber insert from another spark plug socket so that you can remove and install the plugs. Simple!
     
    #12 Rebound, Jan 20, 2017
  13. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    no rubber insert needed/
    it has a magnet inside - works perfect /
    click the image & it'll bring you to the website/
     
    #13 StarCaller, Jan 21, 2017
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  14. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Picture of the old sparkplugs (for completeness)?

    When I change mine in 20-30,000 miles it will be denso iridium twin tip super plug. It's now available for Prius.
     
    #14 Former Member 68813, Jan 21, 2017
  15. rrg

    rrg Active Member

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    I always use the flexible grabber pickup tool to reach down and grab the spark plug tip.

    I have one of these grippers in each bathroom to clear the drain quickly.

    my2cents
     
    #15 rrg, Jan 27, 2017
  16. WolfpackBill

    WolfpackBill Senior Member

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    With Nutz and Bolts video, I replaced the spark plugs in 30 minutes. I cheated and used an impact with extension to unscrew all the bits and pieces (MUCH faster!) in order to get to the spark plugs. I didn't have any rubber hoses to pick up or drop the plugs back in so I used a telescoping magnet and tighten the spark plugs with a torque wrench. Worked very well. $40 and 30 minutes of my time isn't bad at all.
     
    #16 WolfpackBill, Jan 28, 2017
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Does nobody like those rubber inserts lol? To be fair, they CAN grip TOO good, leave the socket down the tube when you try to pull it off the new, torqued plug. A little tape on the the socket/extension helps.
     
    #17 Mendel Leisk, Jan 28, 2017
  18. WolfpackBill

    WolfpackBill Senior Member

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    I have spark plug sockets that will accomodate bigger plugs but not for this car. I didn't even know until I had everything apart. Lesson learned.
     
    #18 WolfpackBill, Jan 28, 2017
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah 9/16" caught me flatfooted too.

    I'm hoping no one asks what the heck was I doing looking at the spark plugs, a while back, with only 65K Km on the odo, now. :oops:
     
    #19 Mendel Leisk, Jan 28, 2017
  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Mine have the rubber grips. They were too tight many years ago. More pliable now that I'm an old coot.
     
    #20 jerrymildred, Jan 28, 2017
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