[tfp]

do you need a special tool to remove the spark plug jacket/cover from the iridium plugs? i can't get it to pop off like conventional rubberized plugs.

thanks,
tim plaza
folsom, ca

 

[Jeff]

You didn't post what year your Rav4 is, but since you are posting in this section I will assume it is 2001-2003 like mine.

Each spark plug is covered by a coil pack/boot that is about six inches long and secured to the valve cover by a 10mm hex bolt. You need to remove at least the front half of the air box to have enough room to move around. Just remove the 4 bolts that hold the coil packs to the valve cover and pull each coil pack upward. They will pop off pretty easily. To remove the plugs you will need a 5/8" standard spark plug socket and a 6" socket extension.

 

[tfp]

thanks jeff! i'll give it a shot.

its a 2001.

 

[tfp]

jeff,
that was very easy to do! took less than 20min
thanks for your assistance. wow, i changed out the plugs WAY early according to factory specs (65k vs 100k?)

 

[Bluenoser]

How did the original plugs look with 65,000 on them......?......any wear?

 

[tfp]

the orig plugs with 65k on them looked pretty darn good
i didn't find any black residue on them at all. they had more of a white residue on them but i'm guessing that would indicate a clean burn?

tim

 

[Jeff]

Yeah mine looked the same way at 75K miles and they definitely could have made it past 100K miles but I changed them anyway.