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I changed the spark plugs in my '08 today, largely without drama

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by egg_salad, Jun 12, 2018.

  1. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    Car has 95k on it, I figured it was time. Judging by the (likely original) plugs I took out, they probably could have lasted another 20k easily. But hey, I already had the parts in hand, so why not?

    Job is pretty straightforward, although if I ever have to do it again I will buy a 3/8" x 6" wobble extension, which would have helped greatly, especially on the #4 plug.
     
    #1 egg_salad, Jun 12, 2018
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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What size of socket is second gen, just curious. FWIW 3rd gen is 14 mm or 9/16". Also, the cowl and all above needs to come off, a bit frustrating.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Jun 12, 2018
  3. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    I've got 130k on my original plugs. Since I know they'll last at least that long, I may as well take the replacements off the shelf in the garage and put them in. Really don't expect to keep the car another 12 years...
     
    #3 RobH, Jun 12, 2018
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  4. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    It's a 5/8" spark plug socket. Might be the placebo effect, but the slight stumbling effect that I felt when the engine was stopping seems to be mitigated now.
     
    #4 egg_salad, Jun 12, 2018
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  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Yes I believe that's placebo too
     
    #5 JC91006, Jun 12, 2018
  6. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    If that's the case (and you're probably correct that it is) I'm fine with that, too.

    A man can dream :)
     
    #6 egg_salad, Jun 12, 2018
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I changed my spark plugs a while back, thinking I would regain lost mileage. Initially it worked wonders....then I started to drive like myself again and all the placebo effect went away
     
    #7 JC91006, Jun 12, 2018
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Anyone ever check the valve clearance? Or is that just crazy talk, with the shims? I really liked the screw adjuster style. Usually they loosened, and when you tightened them to spec you could feel a slight improvement.

    The shim style tend to be very stable, maybe best left alone. Probably no one touches them: it's impractical to DIY, and dealership would be too expensive.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Jun 12, 2018
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    It's crazy talk on a gen2, I understand it to be as difficult as swapping the engine
     
    #9 JC91006, Jun 12, 2018
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  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Checking isn’t difficult; however adjustment is since the camshafts have to be removed. I checked the clearance on my 2001 several years ago and the valves measured in spec or slightly loose.
     
    #10 Patrick Wong, Jun 12, 2018
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