Well it’s time for you to change the spark plugs in your 3.0 liter 2JZGE engine, and you aren’t sure exactly where to start. The ease in which an inline motor or traverse motor’s spark plugs can be changed is lost with a late model 2JZGE Toyota engine. Because the intake manifold crosses over the valve cover and blocks access to the spark plug cover and ignition coils, many people don’t know how to change 2JZGE spark plugs.
Unlike the turbo version of the 2JZ, the non turbo 2JZGE found in late model Toyota and Lexus vehicles has a crossover intake pipe. Changing your 2JZ spark plugs means that you’ll have to remove the throttle body and part of your intake manifold.
Before you begin our how to change 2JZGE spark plugs DIY article, you should disconnect the negative terminal on your battery. Our how to change 2JZGE spark plugs guide assumes you have already disconnected most of your intake system.
This means your 2JZGE MAF, the intake snorkel as well as the plastic engine cover if your Lexus or Toyota has one. Unplug your Throttle position sensor as well as your throttle body and VSV connectors, because the front half of your intake must come apart.
Because the 2JZGE throttle body will be coming off, you will also need to loosen the bracket that connects the front to the exhaust side of the engine. Remove the 12mm nuts that hold this bracket in place, and this will allow you to access the throttle body mounting bolts.
You’ll need to start our guide by removing the valve cover and spark plug cover on your 2JZ. To do this, you’ll need a T30 hex to remove the bolts located on either end of the timing belt cover.
Next tackle this section of the spark plug cover, and as you can see the throttle body and intake manifold blocks access to the middle coils and plugs.
Now remove the 12mm nuts that hold the throttle body bracket in place. Once this bracket has been loosened, you can start on the bolts that run through the back of the 2JZ throttle body.
Now that you have the throttle body loosened, you can pull gently at the throttle body to free it from the intake manifold. There’s a rubber grommet that’s between the throttle body and where it mounts, as well as the vacuum line that runs to the intake manifold butterflies.
Disconnect the two air chamber arm brackets, which will be labeled F and R for front and rear respectively. When reinstalling these brackets, tighten to 13 ft lbs.
Pull at this throttle body until you have enough space to disconnect the vacuum lines in question. Make sure not to damage the VSV vacuum lines that run to the canister under the intake manifold.
With the throttle body removed, you should be able to access ignition coils for cylinder 5 and 6, as well as cylinder 1 and 2. If you want to reach cylinder 3 and 4, you will need to disconnect the top half of the 2JZ intake manifold.
Before you disconnect the upper half of your 2JZ intake manifold, you’ll need to loosen the 10mm nuts that hold the butterfly canister. Disconnect the electrical connector that goes to this canister, and undo the 10mm nuts.
When re-installing the upper intake manifold chamber, or as Toyota calls it the “intake chamber” tighten to 20 ft⋅lbs.
Now with this canister loosened, you can gently disconnect the intake manifold actuator and remove the upper half of your 2JZGE intake manifold.
Now you should be able to access all of your ignition coils and spark plugs. Begin by disconnecting your 2JZ ignition coils, and then removing the 10mm bolts that hold the coils in place.
Start with the front ignition coils and work your way back to the rear of your 2JZGE engine.
Make sure to note each ignition coil as you undo the 10mm bolts and remove them.
Pull up and out for your 2JZGE ignition coils to disconnect from the spark plugs. Use a spark plug tool to carefully re-install your new spark plugs for your 2JZGE.
Clean the ignition coils if they come up dirty and oily, as chances are they will. Make sure to use a Mighty Vac or gently clean your spark plug well before removing your spark plugs.
You now know how to change 2JZGE spark plugs, if you have any questions regarding this DIY article please leave them for us below.
Looking for more 2JZ How To’s and DIY articles?
- How To test a 2JZGTE Ignition Coil
- How To check a VVTI 2JZGE Oil Pump
- How To change a 2JZGE knock sensor
- How To change a 2JZGE crank position sensor
What is that hex bit bolt in between the spark plug called? And does that leak?
Hi Jeremiah, thanks for reading and commenting.
This is a freeze plug and no it should not leak normally. If you have oil in your 2JZGE spark plug galley, it is more than likely from your spark plug seals.