My roommate's care has a code for a misfire and looks like time for a tuneup. Watched videos and does not look that hard. Involves taking apart the wiper assembly in a similar manner as when I replace the Inverter. I remember looking at the plugs when I did that job. I do have a question however. Do I just need to likely replace the spark plugs or will I need to replace her coils at the same time? When I have done tuneups on my Fords, I have replaced the wires but not the coil packs although I have replaced the coil packs on them when something seems strange with them. Ford coil packs are not for each plug but in blocks.
how many miles on her? you don't really do a tune up on a priusin the old common sense of the term. follow the maintenance schedule. plugs every 120k, and they usually look like brand new. to test coils, switch them around to see if the code changes cylinders. only by oem parts and from a dealer. either in person or on line.
Order the DENSO 3324 (Sk16R11) spark plug at RockAuto. They're genuine Denso and only about $6 each. You do NOT need to remove the wiper cowl, etc to do plugs on a Gen 2. Just use the right ratchet and extensions with a magnetic plug socket. Out of about a dozen Gen 2's I've owned. I've never needed to replace a coil.
I saw the Denso 3324 are also available on Amazon Just have a normal plug socket. I guess a magnetic one makes it easier to remove?
I wouldn't buy plugs or coils on Amazon or eBay for that matter; there are just too many counterfeit products on both platforms. Get the best price from a bricks-and-mortar store. My plug socket is just a normal one too and I have had no problem changing plugs in a Prius with it. There is no problem with them as long as the rubber grommet still grips the plug well.
What socket size are gen 2 plugs, 5/8" (or 16mm)? 3rd gen is 9/16" (or 14mm). Maybe because they're quite new, I find the rubber inserts on my spark plug socket set grab so well they're prone to pull off the extension, a dilemma. I've gotten cagey: wrap some masking tape at the joint between extension and socket. Plug torque for second gen is 13 lb/ft, noted in the attachment. Presumably with clean/dry threads; if using anti-seize on the threads use it sparingly, and reduce torque, say to around 11.
Be very careful about auto electric parts from Amazon- they are awash in counterfeits. I love Amazon to bits, spend a lot there but I don't buy their autoparts. Just too many problems. Good plug sockets fit the plug. Great ones have a rubber cuff that grips the insulator to keep the plug in the socket as you extract the tool from the plug well, and they have a "dimpled" drive square that allows you to use locking extension bars- no chance of dropping anything into the plug well.
I use this magnetic socket (16mm for gen 2 prius) and it works just excellent. 14MM 16MM Thin Wall Magnetic Swivel Spark Plug Socket 12-Point Removal Tool | eBay
Make sure you're buying genuine Denso spark plugs. Rule #1. Original Denso spark plugs cost at least $30-$35 for the set of 4 spark plugs. If you see a lot of symbols +++++ or the word japan on the spark plug = these are counterfeit spark plugs, even in Toyota packaging. The original spark plug says something like "Assembled in the USA with Japanese and US Parts." I just bought these set of spark plugs 4 LONG LIFE IRIDIUM SPARK PLUGS | OEM Genuine DENSO | Corolla | Matrix | Prius | eBay
The listing on Amazon seems genuine and is $32.68 in price. Tried to link but seems to be turning it into a media link
I got plugs for our 2010 a couple of years back, and surprisingly the best deal (comparing to my usual go-to, a local automotive supply place, was the dealership. This is pretty much a once-and-done thing; I wouldn't scrimp.
After i picked up my 2009 (2 months back) with 147k on it, i replaced all the fluids(except engine coolant), plugs, serpentine belt, filters and wipers. Also tires, ABS actuator and inverter coolant pump. Going to replace the water pump, thermostat and engine coolant pretty soon. Coils, don't know if it is a maintenance item. I change them when they fail.
I finally did the spark plug change on the 2006 Prius but got screwed over by O'reilly's Auto Parts. They gave me 3444 instead of 3324. Thinking they were the right size, I ended up first going back to O'reilly's Auto Parts to get a 14 inch socket, which would not work in the block, followed by being able to get the spark plugs out but not back in with a 5/8 spark plug socket (standard) but thinking the 3444 would still fit. When they did not, compared them and they were different. Went back, traded for 3324, but still not understanding what was going on. They fit and got everything back together. Cleared codes, drove a few miles, and everything seems fine. Could not find the proper torque wrench but made them tight but not as absolutely tight as I can. I ready basically fairly tight and 1/4 turn is usually good. Issue was that I could have likely done the job in an hour or less but took three or four hours because I was both going back and forth to O'reilly's Auto Parts and trying to figure out what is wrong. Looked up online at O'reilly's Auto Parts what the spark plugs are and they list 3324 as well so looks like the guy there screw up somehow.
