Changing Spark Plugs Ls400 1998

[aljunior]

Can anyone help me change the spark plugs on my 1998 LS400?

Thanks.

Aljunior

[Lexusfreak]

Moved to the LS forum.

[landar]

Can anyone help me change the spark plugs on my 1998 LS400?

Thanks.

Aljunior

Well, its a long trip from IN to TX but if you buy the beer, I might be willing. ;)

[AzHotLS]

I was going to say welcome to the forum as this is your first post but then I see that you joined in 2006!! Oh well, congratulations on your first post then.

I'm with landar, do you mean to help you physically change them or to tell you how?

If just to tell you how, this should help:

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/382647-post1.html

[billydpowell]

Can anyone help me change the spark plugs on my 1998 LS400?

Thanks.

Aljunior

where in texas?

[RDM]

1) Remove old plugs.

2) Install new plugs.

It's not rocket science.

[gatoman39]

1) Remove old plugs.

2) Install new plugs.

It's not rocket science.

Well it's not quite that easy. You have a 98 so I'm not entirely sure, but I just did this on the 95 yesterday, and it was a pain in the !Removed!! The hard part is getting to the plugs. Once the prep work is over, pulling the plugs is easy breezy. The hardest part is getting the air intake into the throttle body off. There are several vacuum hoses and you need to have the proper tools to access the 10mm bolts to remove the engine covers as well as be strong as an ox to remove the vacuum hoses on a car that is 12 years old.

The picture is after the hoses have been removed. The easiest part is actually changing the plugs. The plugs are like 3 bucks, but the labor is like 300-500 because of all the prep work. Not sure of the 98 are distributorless or not, but if they're anything like the 95, you better be mechanically inclined and have some wheaties for breakfast.

[landar]

1) Remove old plugs.

2) Install new plugs.

It's not rocket science.

Well it's not quite that easy. You have a 98 so I'm not entirely sure, but I just did this on the 95 yesterday, and it was a pain in the !Removed!! The hard part is getting to the plugs. Once the prep work is over, pulling the plugs is easy breezy. The hardest part is getting the air intake into the throttle body off. There are several vacuum hoses and you need to have the proper tools to access the 10mm bolts to remove the engine covers as well as be strong as an ox to remove the vacuum hoses on a car that is 12 years old.

The picture is after the hoses have been removed. The easiest part is actually changing the plugs. The plugs are like 3 bucks, but the labor is like 300-500 because of all the prep work. Not sure of the 98 are distributorless or not, but if they're anything like the 95, you better be mechanically inclined and have some wheaties for breakfast.

The 98's are COP (Coil On Plug) so no distributor, no high voltage wires. It's not rocket science. It's spark plug science! :P Get the right deep-well socket and extensions ready.

[gatoman39]

1) Remove old plugs.

2) Install new plugs.

It's not rocket science.

Well it's not quite that easy. You have a 98 so I'm not entirely sure, but I just did this on the 95 yesterday, and it was a pain in the !Removed!! The hard part is getting to the plugs. Once the prep work is over, pulling the plugs is easy breezy. The hardest part is getting the air intake into the throttle body off. There are several vacuum hoses and you need to have the proper tools to access the 10mm bolts to remove the engine covers as well as be strong as an ox to remove the vacuum hoses on a car that is 12 years old.

The picture is after the hoses have been removed. The easiest part is actually changing the plugs. The plugs are like 3 bucks, but the labor is like 300-500 because of all the prep work. Not sure of the 98 are distributorless or not, but if they're anything like the 95, you better be mechanically inclined and have some wheaties for breakfast.

The 98's are COP (Coil On Plug) so no distributor, no high voltage wires. It's not rocket science. It's spark plug science! :P Get the right deep-well socket and extensions ready.

DO you have to remove the air intake into the throttle body on the 98 to access the spark plug chamber?

[landar]

DO you have to remove the air intake into the throttle body on the 98 to access the spark plug chamber?

Not unless you are a contortionist ;) I would say 'yes'. The air assembly covers most of the RH bank. It is fairly easy to remove.

[gatoman39]

DO you have to remove the air intake into the throttle body on the 98 to access the spark plug chamber?

Not unless you are a contortionist ;) I would say 'yes'. The air assembly covers most of the RH bank. It is fairly easy to remove.

In concept yes, it's easy to remove, in practice it's not that easy. It may be what you and I consider easy, because like me, you probably have a gang of tools in your garage and are mechanically inclined. For the original poster who seems like a novice, there are vacuum lines and rubber hoses that are on there so tight you better have the serious kung-fu grip to get them off. There are small things that people don't tell you when doing something like this.

[landar]

DO you have to remove the air intake into the throttle body on the 98 to access the spark plug chamber?

Not unless you are a contortionist ;) I would say 'yes'. The air assembly covers most of the RH bank. It is fairly easy to remove.

In concept yes, it's easy to remove, in practice it's not that easy. It may be what you and I consider easy, because like me, you probably have a gang of tools in your garage and are mechanically inclined. For the original poster who seems like a novice, there are vacuum lines and rubber hoses that are on there so tight you better have the serious kung-fu grip to get them off. There are small things that people don't tell you when doing something like this.

Well, you have a good point there, gatoman. I am hoping that anyone wanting to DIY is willing to buy the tools necessary and take on the learning curve to become more proficient in maintaining their vehicle. I have found that most people who say they are not "mechanically inclined" are so because they are not very interested in tackling the job or lack confidence(overwhelmed) or don't have the time (or all of the above). Just not their "cup-of-tea". And that's ok. Most people are capable of some basic level of mechanics and can grow from there.

On to the lesson for today. I have found that a hook & pick tool is perfect for slipping underneath the hoses and working them loose. Work the hook underneath one edge of the hose, run it around the lip and presto, the hose basically falls off. Then you do not need the "kung fu" grip. Man-handling is rarely the answer to stubborn parts that are stuck-fast. Learning proper technique is. And that only comes by trying and by asking those who do know.

[gatoman39]

DO you have to remove the air intake into the throttle body on the 98 to access the spark plug chamber?

Not unless you are a contortionist ;) I would say 'yes'. The air assembly covers most of the RH bank. It is fairly easy to remove.

In concept yes, it's easy to remove, in practice it's not that easy. It may be what you and I consider easy, because like me, you probably have a gang of tools in your garage and are mechanically inclined. For the original poster who seems like a novice, there are vacuum lines and rubber hoses that are on there so tight you better have the serious kung-fu grip to get them off. There are small things that people don't tell you when doing something like this.

Well, you have a good point there, gatoman. I am hoping that anyone wanting to DIY is willing to buy the tools necessary and take on the learning curve to become more proficient in maintaining their vehicle. I have found that most people who say they are not "mechanically inclined" are so simply because they choose not to try and so remain ignorant. Its more of a matter of having no interest. And being afraid of breaking something. But mostly because it involves a four letter word...work. Interestingly, some of my childhood friends who were not "mechanically inclined" grew up to become surgeons. Talk about irony.

On to the lesson for today. I have found that a hook & pick tool is perfect for slipping underneath the hoses and working them loose. Work the hook underneath one edge of the hose, run it around the lip and presto, the hose basically falls off. Then you do not need the "kung fu" grip. Man-handling is rarely the answer to stubborn parts that are stuck-fast. Learning proper technique is. And that only comes by trying and by asking those who do know.

Tools and technique are important, and since we have experience it's pretty much a no brainer for us. But one of the respondents indicated that you simply remove plugs, install new ones and that it's not rocket science, and that is way too simplistic. There are little things that the novice doesn't think of, like say you drove to autozone to get new plugs and came home. Well, now the engine is hot as hell and you can burn yourself trying to do anything to it. Also you have to lay down a mat against the front quater panels, so you don't scratch up the car when you are leaning against it. Also you need proper lighting or you can't see what you're doing, it goes on an on. Things we take for granted are not second nature to the average joe. SO when someone responds to a novice, with a novice answer, I think it's important for the original gentleman, to understand what he's getting into before he starts going to a gun fight, armed with a spoon.

The passenger side, where the air intake into the throttle body is the hardest part to remove. Other than that, it's a pretty easy job.

[Beeno]

this is not the correct model my car does not have wires it has coils duhh but you should know that by now if you owned a 1998 ls