Your video was a huge help thank you. I did my 2016 Highlander XLE today. As has already been mentioned there was a second hidden bracket on the passenger side with a 12mm bolt that is a bit tough to reach. I took this bracket totally off to remove one of the rear spark plug coils. My air intake had a combination of 10mm nuts x 2 on the ends, 6mm allen head bolts x 4 in the middle, and the two hidden 12mm bolts in the back. In total taking my time it took me 2.5hrs. The local Toyota dealership quoted me almost $600 in labour alone for this job. The video is very helpful and I found the job not too bad if you take your time and you have all the right tools.
Hi and thanks again for your video. I just completed ( March 8, 2024 ) a spark plug change on my 2016 Highlander V6 and there are a few things that might be helpful for other viewers. - You do not need to remove the wiper motor or the cowl. The 2016 Highlander cowel is very well bolted down with the suspension strut mount bolts ( requires proper torque ) and a bunch of other 10mm bolts. - The plenum slips out very easily as well, there is no hang up reinstalling. - The 2016 Highlander plenum is held in place with the following : 2 x 10mm nuts, 4 x 5mm hex head bolts, 2 x 12mm bolts - Removing the 2 x 12mm bolts in the rear passenger and driver side is not difficult. - Rear Plenum, passenger side : You can see the 12mm bolt with a good light and attach a regular ratchet / socket to break it free. - Rear Plenum, driver side : After you remove the throttle body you will need a small mirror to locate the 12mm bolt. Then you can use a regular ratchet / socket to break it free. - For me, the most difficult task of the entire job was disconnecting the clips from the three rear coils. If you rip a wire or break a clip it could be disastrous. - The second most difficult task was removing spark plugs. They were not seized but after 120k miles, the threads were very snug. I had to loosen 1 turn and screw back in 1/2 turn and keep repeating ( out 1 turn and in 1/2 turn ) until the plug started to loosen up. - I did not replace with Denso Iridium which are durable for 120K Miles as are the NGK Laser Iridiums also good for 120K Miles .- Instead, I used the new NGK Ruthenium plug good for 60K Miles. These Denso and NGK plugs are the same heat range 6 .- For me, this DIY job in Ontario, Canada saved me $500-$600 labour - Plug prices : Denso $33 - NGK Laser Iridium $24 - NGK Ruthenium $18 x 6, Total w. tax $122 - Gaskets : Plenum ( 3 ) Total $81 and Throttle Body ( 1 ) Total $20 - As long as you have a 6 inch extension on your plug socket, it will work without a universal / swivel socket. - If all goes well you can complete this job in 2-3 hours. - Make sure you torque the plugs down to 13 ft lbs
I just bought a 130k miles 2019 Highlander. No clue if this was done at any point so… I guess I’ll schedule some time to go through that. Great tutorial I’ll watch more of your stuff !!!
Great job thanks for posting!. I thought there was another bracket bolt on the left side or passenger side as well that had to be removed? Thanks again good job I have to do this next weekend.
At the passenger side there’s no bracket, but have to be careful with the 2 vacuum hoses at the back of the manifold. Good luck next week, just take your time.
Okay that was one of the “ smoothest “ rear spark plug jobs I’ve seen for a 2016-2019 Highlander. I know you sped things up but how long did that take ( the rear plugs, the front plugs are easy ).
Thanks for watching! Honestly it took me like 30 minutes, it’s not that bad if all connectors and hoses detach without problem. The hidden bracket near the throttle body gonna give you a lot of trouble if you don’t know about it beforehand. Thanks again
Just got a quote from our dealer for nearly 800 bucks. I came straight to CZcams because I figured it was a pain in the ass job. 800 is still too much though
You have labeled the video incorrectly. There are 7 plenum bolts but.... the 2016 model year has six bolts up front and one in the back on the passenger side which is very awkward. Therefore, you should make a note of this or retitle the video not to include 2016.
Your video was a huge help thank you. I did my 2016 Highlander XLE today. As has already been mentioned there was a second hidden bracket on the passenger side with a 12mm bolt that is a bit tough to reach. I took this bracket totally off to remove one of the rear spark plug coils. My air intake had a combination of 10mm nuts x 2 on the ends, 6mm allen head bolts x 4 in the middle, and the two hidden 12mm bolts in the back. In total taking my time it took me 2.5hrs. The local Toyota dealership quoted me almost $600 in labour alone for this job. The video is very helpful and I found the job not too bad if you take your time and you have all the right tools.
I meant 5mm Allen bolts x4 in the middle
Thank you and im glad it was helpful. And thanks for the extra info about your experience.
Hi and thanks again for your video.
I just completed ( March 8, 2024 ) a spark plug change on my 2016 Highlander V6 and there are a few things that might be helpful for other viewers.
- You do not need to remove the wiper motor or the cowl. The 2016 Highlander cowel is very well bolted down with the suspension strut mount bolts ( requires proper torque ) and a bunch of other 10mm bolts.
- The plenum slips out very easily as well, there is no hang up reinstalling.
- The 2016 Highlander plenum is held in place with the following : 2 x 10mm nuts, 4 x 5mm hex head bolts, 2 x 12mm bolts
- Removing the 2 x 12mm bolts in the rear passenger and driver side is not difficult.
- Rear Plenum, passenger side : You can see the 12mm bolt with a good light and attach a regular ratchet / socket to break it free.
- Rear Plenum, driver side : After you remove the throttle body you will need a small mirror to locate the 12mm bolt. Then you can use a regular ratchet / socket to break it free.
- For me, the most difficult task of the entire job was disconnecting the clips from the three rear coils. If you rip a wire or break a clip it could be disastrous.
- The second most difficult task was removing spark plugs. They were not seized but after 120k miles, the threads were very snug. I had to loosen 1 turn and screw back in 1/2 turn and keep repeating ( out 1 turn and in 1/2 turn ) until the plug started to loosen up.
- I did not replace with Denso Iridium which are durable for 120K Miles as are the NGK Laser Iridiums also good for 120K Miles
.- Instead, I used the new NGK Ruthenium plug good for 60K Miles. These Denso and NGK plugs are the same heat range 6
.- For me, this DIY job in Ontario, Canada saved me $500-$600 labour
- Plug prices : Denso $33 - NGK Laser Iridium $24 - NGK Ruthenium $18 x 6, Total w. tax $122
- Gaskets : Plenum ( 3 ) Total $81 and Throttle Body ( 1 ) Total $20
- As long as you have a 6 inch extension on your plug socket, it will work without a universal / swivel socket.
- If all goes well you can complete this job in 2-3 hours.
- Make sure you torque the plugs down to 13 ft lbs
Big thanks for the tips. This is th biggest job I will have completed.
Chingon Gracias 🙏
De nada, espero te vaya bien el trabajo
I just bought a 130k miles 2019 Highlander. No clue if this was done at any point so… I guess I’ll schedule some time to go through that. Great tutorial I’ll watch more of your stuff !!!
Thanks! And good luck 👍
I like the content keep it going bro
Thanks!! I appreciate it
Great job thanks for posting!. I thought there was another bracket bolt on the left side or passenger side as well that had to be removed? Thanks again good job I have to do this next weekend.
At the passenger side there’s no bracket, but have to be careful with the 2 vacuum hoses at the back of the manifold. Good luck next week, just take your time.
Okay that was one of the “ smoothest “ rear spark plug jobs I’ve seen for a 2016-2019 Highlander. I know you sped things up but how long did that take ( the rear plugs, the front plugs are easy ).
Thanks for watching! Honestly it took me like 30 minutes, it’s not that bad if all connectors and hoses detach without problem. The hidden bracket near the throttle body gonna give you a lot of trouble if you don’t know about it beforehand. Thanks again
Did you happen to look at the intake valves? We're they caked in carbon?
And what is the rate of a job like this in 2024
Well the dealership rate was like 200$ to 250$ depending on other parts that they can find that need replacing.
Spark plugs cost about 12$ each
Just got a quote from our dealer for nearly 800 bucks. I came straight to CZcams because I figured it was a pain in the ass job. 800 is still too much though
You have labeled the video incorrectly. There are 7 plenum bolts but.... the 2016 model year has six bolts up front and one in the back on the passenger side which is very awkward. Therefore, you should make a note of this or retitle the video not to include 2016.
Really appreciate the correction, thanks.