Changing Spark Plugs of Your Car - How hard can it be?

Ali Man

Devilz Mafia
Oct 1, 2008
4,955
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Islamabad
So I was gonna be doing my usual spark plug replacement for my Toyota Yaris (Toyota Belta in Pakistan, 1300CC) and I thought that I'd share some knowledge.




First of all the tools. What you see is a universal 3/8" wrench, spark plug socket, spark plug gapping tool, one 3/8" extender bar and one 10mm socket bar.






The plugs that I'll be using are the Double Platinum of Autolite:









And so lets get started, Here's the engine Bay:







First I removed the top that has four nuts using the wrench with the smaller 10mm socket bar:






By taking the top off, we can see every specific ignition coil (the black ones) going to each plug:










So I used the same configuration of the socket wrench of removing the ignition coils nuts that I used to take the top off. After taking it off all the silver nuts, I removed each coil with caution and placed them on a side:







Now I'm good to go and loosen up the spark plugs. This is the wrench configuration that I used, it's simple to understand visually:






It's always good to just loosen one plug and check its condition as usually, its condition denotes all the other plugs conditions. So I started with the most right plug:







The spark plug socket that I'm using is magnetized, so the plug automatically comes out when its loosened. Although if yours isn't magnetized, then you can use the ignition coils to take out the plug after loosening it. Here's the used plugs condition:










The plugs condition isn't that bad at all. When it shows a dryish brown color on the tip, it means that the fuel has been burning properly in the engine, nothing excessively rich or lean. But one should change spark plugs before their expiration for the safety of the engine. Here's the difference between a new plug:






So now, one can take out all the plugs after initial inspection. After doing that, unless you have plugs from a company like Bosch, gapping the plug is necessary as it shows how strong a plug is able to ignition fuel in the combustion chamber. After inputting all the information of my vehicle over here, I got to know that these plugs require a gapping of 0.044:







Here's how they were gapped one by one:





Here are the new plugs after being all gapped up and ready to be installed:






When tightening the plugs, do make sure that they are just tightened slightly. I don't know the exact torque range, but over tightening them can cause huge problems, so that should be avoided. After that, always remember which ignition coil goes in what cylinder otherwise even that can screw up an engine. And that's pretty much about it. If you have any questions, do ask. Thanks for looking.
 
Last edited:

Journeys End

No Compromises!
Jun 16, 2008
7,638
3
43
Donno i m lost!!
changing spark plugs or engine tuning in local terminology is really very simple if u have the right tools. i got mine changed recently by a mechanic and he charged me 100rs.

and i dont knw abt Bosch or autolite but Denso also has specially gaped sparkplugs for Vitz. also why didn't u go for iridium tipped plugs? they are considered best for petrol only cars. here is the link,
DENSO SPARK PLUGS - Basic Knowledge
 

sTraNg3r

0_o
Mar 6, 2011
2,083
0
41
Karachi
They are the same cars, with 2 different versions. Belta being the sedan and Vitz being the hatchback.
That's how it is generally in the international market.

Btw Ali any suggestions on which spark plugs should I get? Denso seems to be the best from what I've heard. My Vitz is driven on petrol only.
 

cobby

Lord of the First Order
Aug 20, 2007
12,722
1
43
Serenity
Should have cleaned those little dirty plugs and used again any way , or u can use them in your generator if u have a big one .
[MENTION=31237]sTraNg3r[/MENTION]

denso are good but bosch spark plugs are best as they are russian made

- - - Updated - - -

sorry german made
 

Ali Man

Devilz Mafia
Oct 1, 2008
4,955
1
43
Islamabad
changing spark plugs or engine tuning in local terminology is really very simple if u have the right tools. i got mine changed recently by a mechanic and he charged me 100rs.

and i dont knw abt Bosch or autolite but Denso also has specially gaped sparkplugs for Vitz. also why didn't u go for iridium tipped plugs? they are considered best for petrol only cars. here is the link,
DENSO SPARK PLUGS - Basic Knowledge
wait a sec...r u talking abt this car,


or this car,
The sedan, lower one. Over here it has a 1.5 1NZ FE engine. The belta in pak is a 1.3, but usually comes with built-in Visors, either motorized lights or side mirrors, as those cars are usually imported from Japan. My ride is also made in Japan as the VIN no. proves it, but its only made for the USA due to the left hand drive thing, so it was only driven over here.

They are the same cars, with 2 different versions. Belta being the sedan and Vitz being the hatchback.
That's how it is generally in the international market.

Btw Ali any suggestions on which spark plugs should I get? Denso seems to be the best from what I've heard. My Vitz is driven on petrol only.
Denso and NGK both are Japanese made Plugs, although its always good to check out the serial no. once in a while to rule out any fakes. I'd suggest you to change what originally came with your ride. With Toyota Yaris, Vitz, Belta, these engines usually come with NGK's that [MENTION=4374]Journeys End[/MENTION] mentioned, even though the make was denso, but they usually come in NGK.

These 'pin' tipped plugs of NGK are usually platinum and I don't think that they require any gapping as I don't think its possible or the tip may break while loosening it. Even though Iridium lasts a lot longer than Platinum by theory, but these specific plugs aren't that bad as compared with other brand platinums.

My Yaris originally came with the same NGK's, but they're hell expensive over here, after that comes the denso's in price range. Expensive meaning 1-2K for one plug. Autolite is an OK local brand, it does the job fine for around 10K miles easy (on US fuel).
 

Journeys End

No Compromises!
Jun 16, 2008
7,638
3
43
Donno i m lost!!
The sedan, lower one. Over here it has a 1.5 1NZ FE engine. The belta in pak is a 1.3, but usually comes with built-in Visors, either motorized lights or side mirrors, as those cars are usually imported from Japan. My ride is also made in Japan as the VIN no. proves it, but its only made for the USA due to the left hand drive thing, so it was only driven over here.
yeah i knw...that one has the push-to-start and auto door unlock features but i was using it as reference

and i bought my iridium tipped denso for 3.5k...thats like 875rs per spark plug. bosh platinum cost 2.5k
 
Last edited:

Ali Man

Devilz Mafia
Oct 1, 2008
4,955
1
43
Islamabad
yeah i knw...that one has the push-to-start and auto door unlock features but i was using it as reference

and i bought my iridium tipped denso for 3.5k...thats like 875rs per spark plug. bosh platinum cost 2.5k
Where did you buy them from?

Usually denso and NGK have the same rates from what I've seen and sell for no more than 250rps per plug.
 

Journeys End

No Compromises!
Jun 16, 2008
7,638
3
43
Donno i m lost!!
Where did you buy them from?

Usually denso and NGK have the same rates from what I've seen and sell for no more than 250rps per plug.
local market...and 250rs? dude even toyota doesn't sell their normal plugs for that price. heck i dont think there is ANY sparkplug in Pakistan that has that price unless they are used.
 

Ali Man

Devilz Mafia
Oct 1, 2008
4,955
1
43
Islamabad
local market...and 250rs? dude even toyota doesn't sell their normal plugs for that price. heck i dont think there is ANY sparkplug in Pakistan that has that price unless they are used.
Well I think we all know that Toyota are looters, but I gotta say that you've been raped I guess. Back in the day, I used to buy the same plugs for 160rps each and now its like 230 or something.
 

Journeys End

No Compromises!
Jun 16, 2008
7,638
3
43
Donno i m lost!!
Well I think we all know that Toyota are looters, but I gotta say that you've been raped I guess. Back in the day, I used to buy the same plugs for 160rps each and now its like 230 or something.
230rs? yar kiya keh rahay ho? can u tell the shop that u bought these plugs from? i haven't heard for any spark plugs sold for that price in our market
 

Ali Man

Devilz Mafia
Oct 1, 2008
4,955
1
43
Islamabad
230rs? yar kiya keh rahay ho? can u tell the shop that u bought these plugs from? i haven't heard for any spark plugs sold for that price in our market
You said local market, could you be more specific?

You can check Naeem Autos in F-10. I'm amazed you got them that expensive.
 

Journeys End

No Compromises!
Jun 16, 2008
7,638
3
43
Donno i m lost!!
You said local market, could you be more specific?

You can check Naeem Autos in F-10. I'm amazed you got them that expensive.
Dude i asked a friend to go visit them since i m not in isl rite nw. The exact same spark plugs i bought are sold for 4.5k over there. Thanx for making me doubt my purchase :S
 
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