Crap!
I wanted to replace my spark plugs yesterday and couldn't get them out.
I just purchased the 4runner a couple of months ago and i'm not sure when the plugs were replaced last.
The engine was still a bit warm. Would it help if i let it cool a bit more?
I tried on three plugs before i gave up. I even broke a plug wire trying to remove it.
Not sure if this is relevant, but i know the previous owner went through alot of mud. I'm still trying to get some of the mud off areas in the engine bay.

What about some WD-40 on the plug to help try and unlock the plug.
Any ideas?

Todd

 

try it when its cold, i doubt that any kind of penetrating liquid like PB Blaster or wd-40 would be able to get past the sealing washer on the plug, but its worth a try, and when you install new plugs use a little anti size on the threads

 

I was at the stealership one day visiting a buddy who works there as a mechanic, while I was there I saw one of the mechanics in another bay replacing a set of plugs on a 3.0 with a super long extension and an electric impact wrench...? I asked my buddy if that's how he or any of the other mechanics do the plugs on a car, he said no, he said that this guy uses an impact on everything and still takes forever to get a vehicle done. They call him Slo Mo. Maybe Slo Mo put your plugs in for ya.

 

there not stuck per say, they just haven't been changed in a long time from All that heating and cooling. When you spin them out there gonna creak and gonna sound like your gonna pull the threads out of the head, but they'll come out.

 

Todd, be sure to put anti sieze lube back on the new plugs.
When I had my '79 2WD Toyota, I attempted to change the plugs on a Sunday, the day before I started my very first day at Boeing back in '89.

Broke a plug taking it out.
We tried an Easy-Out, but could not get it out.
Had to drive it to Roxbury Auto Parts and drop it off while I got a rental car for a few days.
Could not be late for my first day

 

You should only change the plugs when the engine is COLD. That will help ensure that you dont strip the threads.
Its possible that the previous owner changed the plugs when the engine was warm and could have either stripped the threads when tightening them or crossthreaded them.
I had an '85 4Runner with this problem and I ended up having to put a helicoil in one of the spark plug holes.
Cap'n

 

Captain is correct. NEVER replace spark plugs with a warm or hot motor with an aluminum head. It's a good way to destroy the threads.

 

Wow, what a chore that was.
I let the runner sit over night so that it was nice and cold. Today after work i jumped right in and sure enough i couldn't get the plugs to budge.
So i used an extension on my wrench and i could move the plug just a bit. Boy did it creek and moan.
So after reading what rbmc said about the electric impact wrench i got desperate. I went over to my neighbors and borrowed his air wrench. Well that did the trick. Almost busted a finger when the air wrench stopped and slammed my finger into the battery.
I did put some tool oil on the new plugs and they went in real nice.

Here is a shot of two plugs. I think the previous owner went a long time replacing the plugs. Funny thing is i have paperwork showing several tune-ups in the past, Hmmmm.... Spark Plug

Thanks everyone for your help

 

Plus those Bosch plug are notorious for not being a good match for the 4Runners. I hope you got Denso's or NGK's this time.

Should run much better.

 

Ditto.......don't run bosch plugs in that motor, they can cause problems later.
OEM densos or NGKs only.

 

Those plugs really dont look all that bad. They have a nice, chocolate-brown color to them (which is ideal).
Im not sure if using tool oil was a good idea. When the engine comes up to operating temp the oil will mostly likely get burnt up or will evaporate. You should have used anti-sieze compound.
Cap'n

 

I thought the threads looked fine on those old plugs, but the tips look rough. I would tend to agree with the others, you probably need to take those plugs out and put some antiseize on them. I have also heard the Bosch plugs are terrible for Toyota's. I got some cheap stock Denso plugs from the dealer and the engine runs perfectly.