Toyota Echo DIY: Change Spark Plugs

This is a DIY for changing your Echo’s spark plugs.  If you follow the 5,000 mile maintenance interval you should be changing your spark plugs every 30,000 miles in order to comply with your emissions warranty.  Note iridium plugs are supposed to be good for up to 100,000 miles.  I have made every attempt to be thorough in this DIY but please be cautious.  Anything you do is at your own risk.

Stock Plugs for the Echo are:
· Denso k16R-U
· NGK-bkr5eya

Spark Plugs Recommended in the Shop Manual on page IG-3 are:
· Denso SK16R11
· NGK IFR5A11

For my spark plug change I utilized four Bosch Platinum IR Fusion 4501, which do not need to be gapped.  Whichever brand of spark plug that you use please follow the manufacturers specifications for gaping when using their plugs for the Toyota Echo. 

*Before starting please make sure you have the following tools.
--- A set of replacement spark plugs
--- A 10mm socket
--- A 16mm spark plug socket
--- A ratchet wrench
--- 12” extension
--- Anti Seize gapping
--- A torque wrench
--- Feeler gages or plug gap tool (if using plugs that need to be gapped

1. Remove engine cover by popping hood and removing the four 10mm bolts. 
Before removing these bolts I sprayed each one with some PB Blaster penetrating oil as I have never removed the cover and they looked a little rusted.
 

--- Picture of engine cover showing which bolts need to be removed

 

--- Picture of engine cover removed

2 Now clean off the top of the engine before removing the ignition coils and replacing the plugs.  I utilized a shop vac, rag  and compressor to clean top of engine.  Be thorough so that you can be sure debris does not fall into the spark well and down into the cylinder.

 

--- Picture showing top of engine after being cleaned.

 

--- Picture showing ignition coils highlighted.

3 Change spark plugs.  Changing the spark plugs is a simple process.  Just be very careful not to drop any material into the cylinder once the spark plug is removed.  After I removed an ignition coil I would actually shop vac out the spark plug well before I removed the spark plug, just to make sure nothing had fallen in.  Also, work on one spark plug at a time. 
 *remove the 10mm bolt that secures the ignition coil
 *remove the electrical connection by unclipping it.
 *twist and pull up on ignition coil to remove it.
 *use the 16mm spark plug socket to remove the spark plug
 *put anti seize on new spark plug and install.  When installing the spark plug I:
  *place the spark plug in the spark plug socket
  *attach the socket to the extension
  *then using only the extension I gently lower the spark plug into the cylinder
  *turn the spark plug counter clockwise to seat it properly
  *turn in clock wise using only the extension, no wrench, just to make sure I am
    not cross threading the plug into the cylinder.  When you are sure the spark plug
    is threaded properly attach the torque wrench and torque each plug to 13 ft lbf.
  *repeat this procedure for all spark plugs

 

--- Picture showing 10mm bolt that secures ignition coil loostened

 

--- Picture showing ignition coil removed from spark plug.  For the other coils I did remove the electrical connected before removing the coil.

 

--- Picture showing ignition coil removed from electrical connector

 

--- Picture showing top of spark plug

 

--- Picture comparing old plug to new plug

 

--- Picture showing anti seize to use on spark plug

This concludes my DIY for an Echo Spark Plug Change!  I hope you found it informative.  Below are pages of the shop manual that pertain to changing the spark plugs. If you have any questions of comments let me know.  If you want to see any of the pics utilized in this DIY in greater detail click on the following link:
http://rides.webshots.com/album/570376889JfODaj?vhost=rides

 

--- Shop Manual Page

 

--- Shop Manual Page

 

--- Shop Manual Page

 

--- Shop Manual Page

 

--- Shop Manual Page

 
--- Shop Manual Page

 

--- Shop Manual Page

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