Replacing spark plugs on a Toyota Corolla 2008

The stability of ignition of the air-fuel mixture and the reliability of the power unit directly depend on the condition of the spark plugs and ignition coils. Failure of any of the elements leads to engine tripping.

This causes a reduction in engine life, increases fuel consumption and leads to a loss of vehicle dynamics. Therefore, you should carry out timely maintenance of the ignition system and purchase only original or recommended consumables.

Old and new spark plugs for Corolla 150

Article and price of branded candles for Corolla 150 and their analogues

Original Toyota Corolla 150 spark plugs have article number 9091901253. Their price is 350-600 rubles. Toyota does not manufacture its own spark plugs. Therefore, in the original packaging you can find Denso SC20HR11. In free retail sale, these consumables cost about 500 rubles.

Original Toyota packaging

Denso SC20HR11 spark plugs, which are located in Toyota branded packaging

In addition to original candles, there are good analogues from third-party manufacturers. The best of them are shown in the table below.

Table - Good analogs of original spark plugs for Corolla 150

Recommendations for replacement intervals

The automaker officially recommends replacing spark plugs every 50 thousand km. According to the operating experience of the Toyota Corolla 150, car owners recommend extending the interval to 70-90 thousand km. Original and famous brand candles can be maintained without difficulty and for a longer period.

Damage that can be identified by visual inspection

If damage occurs, as shown in the image below, or due to missing sparks between the electrodes, unscheduled replacement of the spark plugs may be required. If it is too often necessary to install a new set of consumables, it is necessary to diagnose the power plant and related systems to identify faults that disable the ignition system.

All about spark plugs for Toyota Corolla

The candle contains 10 elements, which are shown in the figure below. The main ones are the central and side electrodes.

You can find candles with different characteristics on sale. When choosing spark plugs, it is best to give preference to those recommended by the car manufacturer. One of the parameters worth paying attention to is the heat resistance or heat rating of the candle.

What is the heat resistance of a candle?

The heat resistance of a spark plug (or thermal number) is its ability to transfer heat to the cylinder head, which is formed on the working surface of the spark plug due to combustion products. Most often it is designated by the manufacturer himself.

The value of heat resistance depends on the size of the thermal cone of the insulator. The concept of “heat number” refers to the period during which the candle reaches the glow ignition. If the insulator is long, then we have a hot spark plug (low heat rating), if it’s short, it’s a cold spark plug (high heat rating).

When choosing spark plugs for your car, you need to take this parameter into account.

When installing incorrectly selected parts, the following malfunctions may occur: the spark plug will begin to overheat, which can lead to glow ignition, or it will stop self-cleaning.

How to check the self-cleaning of a candle?

• To check, turn on the ignition and leave the engine idling for a couple of minutes.
• Next, turn off the engine, lift the hood and remove one of the spark plugs.
• If the white insulator has acquired a dark tint, everything is in order.
• Reinstall the spark plug and turn on the engine again (this time at 3 thousand rpm). Let it run in this mode for about 3.5 minutes.
• Stop the engine again and check the spark plug.
• If the deposit is gone, the heat rating of the spare part corresponds to the characteristics of the car and the spark plug cleans itself.

Most Japanese cars have standard spark plugs, the glow number of which is 5/6 (for NGK) or 16/20 (for Denso).

When to change spark plugs on a Toyota Corolla?

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Shumyakin Denis Mikhailovich

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The service life depends on the material of the spark plug and how and with what frequency the car is used. Typically, the service life of standard spark plugs does not exceed 50 thousand km. But platinum and iridium spark plugs, popular today, last up to 100 thousand km.

Candles are changed earlier than the specified period if certain signs appear. For example, if the engine starts to stall or there is a noticeable loss of power.

Tools required to replace spark plugs

In order to replace spark plugs on a Toyota Corolla 150, you need the tools from the table below.

Table - Tools for replacing spark plugs on Corolla 150

Tools for replacing spark plugs

Can I replace it myself?

Yes.

Before replacement, you need to prepare the necessary tools and purchase a set of new spark plugs (4 pcs.). When choosing spark plugs, be sure to keep in mind that different spark plugs are produced for different car models and engine types.

Original candles:

• TOYOTA, article number 9091901164.

The most popular analogues:

• DENSO K16R-U11,
• NGK BKR5EYA.

Tools for work:

• key for 10,
• spark plug wrench 14.

Replacement procedure:

• Place the car on a level surface and raise the hood.

• Remove the bolts from the engine cover and remove the cover.

• Using a rag, clean the engine and ignition coil from dirt.
• Remove the first coil using a 10mm wrench.

• Unfasten the terminal and set the coil aside.

• Using a 14 key, remove the spark plug from the well.

• Install the new spark plug, then the first coil and connect the wires.
• Repeat the action with the three remaining coils.

Gap adjustment

Surely many have heard about the gap in spark plugs, but not everyone knows what we are talking about. But this parameter is one of the key ones and is very important both when choosing candles and when installing them.

The spark plug gap is the distance between the electrodes. It largely affects the dynamics and quality of engine starting. An incorrectly set gap can cause excessive fuel consumption.

The gap on the Toyota Corolla 2008 is 0.8-0.9 mm.

The value is checked on a removed spark plug. In order to adjust the gap, you will need a special wrench (pictured below) and adjusting probes.

Step-by-step adjustment instructions:

1. Take a suitable feeler gauge and install it in the gap.
2. By bending and bending the side electrode, set the gap.
3. The tool should pass with force, but should not get stuck.

The entire replacement of spark plugs for a 2008 Toyota Corolla takes no more than an hour. For clarity, you can watch a video on this topic. After replacement, you should check the operation of the engine - if the cause of the malfunction was indeed the spark plugs, then with the new parts the engine will work flawlessly.

Description of replacing spark plugs on a Toyota Corolla 150

In order to replace spark plugs on a Corolla 150, you need to follow the instructions below.

• Open the hood.
• Reset the negative battery terminal that goes to the body.
• Remove the decorative engine cover.
• Unscrew the ignition coil mountings.

Unscrewing the coil mount

• Disconnect the terminal block.

Disconnected block

• With a little effort, pull the coil up and remove it.

Removed reel

• Blow out debris from spark plug wells.
• Unscrew the spark plug.

Unscrewing the candle

• If the key allows you to hook and remove the candle from the well, then you need to pull it out. If difficulties arise in obtaining consumables, it is recommended to use a magnet and a metal rod or knitting needle.

Candle seized with a spark plug wrench

A device that helps remove a candle from a well

• Screw in a new spark plug.
• Reassemble everything in reverse order.

Description of the process for checking the ignition coil on a Corolla

If you suspect that one of the Toyota Corolla ignition coils has failed, you must use the method below to identify the faulty element:

• Start the power plant.
• Open the hood.
• Remove the power plugs from the ignition coils one by one. If the sound of the motor does not change after removal, then with a high degree of probability this indicates a malfunction.

This method carries the risk of damaging the ECU, so it should only be used in extreme cases.

Another method of identifying a faulty coil is to install a known-good product in its place. The main disadvantage of this method is the need to have a spare, working coil.

• An indirect sign of a coil malfunction is the unsatisfactory condition of one of the spark plugs. Due to the lack of normal ignition, carbon deposits appear on the electrodes.

Checking the ignition coil should begin with its visual inspection. It is necessary to check the condition of the body and tips. There should be no cracks, deformations, soot or discoloration.

Longitudinal crack on the body

Presence of cracks on the tip

If there are defects, do not try to eliminate them using electrical tape or heat shrink. Their breakdown voltage is much lower than that created by the ignition coil. The only way to repair is to replace the damaged area with epoxy resin.

If a visual inspection does not reveal any defects, then it is necessary to check the condition of the coil using measuring instruments. They can be used as a multimeter or ohmmeter. It is necessary to measure the resistance at the control points. They are the central electrode and the terminal block contacts.

Block diagram of the ignition coil device

To check if the coil is faulty, you need to check the resistance between the contacts and the central electrode. The data obtained should be entered into the table and compared with a working coil. Any significant deviations indicate a malfunction of the product being tested.

Coil test process

Contact numbering example

Table - Summary data to identify a faulty coil

It is also necessary to check the condition of the insulation. To do this, use a megger or multimeter. You should check that there is no breakdown between the contacts and the housing.

Original ignition coil and analogues

If the coil still fails, you need to buy a new one to replace it. The original reel had part number 90919-02258, but recently the part number was replaced with 90919-02252.

The cost of the original coil is high, so you can choose good analogues:

• NGK 48395
• Denso DIC-0103
• Bremi 20443
• Stellox 61-00022-SX

Article number and cost of the original ignition coil for Corolla 150 and its analogues

The branded ignition coil has catalog number 9091902266. The cost of a new product ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles. There is also the opportunity to purchase the product from auto dismantling yards. Since the residual life of a used coil is unknown, experienced owners recommend purchasing analogues from third-party manufacturers. A list of the best options is given in the table below.

Table - Ignition coils for Corolla 150 from third-party manufacturers