I have a 2010 Toyota Camry with 6 cylinders and now at 130K, it needs spark plugs as per the maintenance schedule. The motor is mounted horizontal so the 3 plugs in the front are easy to get to, but the rear plugs requires hours of items to be removed in order to access them. The dealer wants $700 to change 6 spark plugs! I am a shade tree mechanic and not afraid to attempt the feat. Anyone ever undertake this task? If so, any advice?

I hope these videos can help...holy crap, I'm glad I don't have a Toyota V6...good luck




Link to original video: https://youtu.be/26LIECaPzXo





Link to original video: https://youtu.be/dA5OdEUqcTQ





Link to original video: https://youtu.be/0kQIkzvs9NY

Shoot, I would gladly take an upper intake off to get at a set of plugs through the coil packs. I used to have a dodge dynasty with a wedge headed v6 and the only way to get to them was to stick your hand between the firewall and the head from the drivers side. my arm used to get very cut up. It sucked, especially from the one closest to the passenger side as I had to reach under and across from the DS fender. SUCKED i tell you!

I don't know about that particular model, but one mechanic trick on FWD sideways engines is to disconnect the top motor mount. Then you, or someone, can lean into the front of the car and "torque" or rock the back of the engine up to give more room to access the firewall side.
Obviously be careful with this, have another person there if you get in trouble.

quote:

The dealer wants $700 to change 6 spark plugs!

And now you know why. But even at an independent, it would probably be in the neighborhood of $500. The labor alone (per the flat rate manual) is probably around 3-3.5 hours.

Don't skimp on the plugs themselves if you do it yourself. It will come with Denso platinum, possibly iridium. Other than NGK, I don't recommend substituting different brands of spark plugs than OEM. Take a picture, or several pictures, of the engine before you begin. There are a number of little vacuum lines that have to go back in the same places or you will get an engine light on. Disconnect no more than are absolutely necessary.