Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix (1st generation), Toyota Corolla,Toyota Celica GT spark plug change

Spark plug replacement for Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Celica

Changing the spark plugs on these models is pretty easy and can be done in an hour or so. If your plugs are old and out of spec, you'll have reduced power and mileage. You may even find it difficult to start a cold engine or experience a rough idle.

This is my documented process so I may repeat in the future. Do this at your own risk!

Schedule

Every 120,000 miles

Applicable Vehicles (1ZZ-FE engine)
2003 - 2008 Pontiac Vibe (base)
2003 - 2008 Toyota Matrix (standard and XR)
2003 - 2008 Toyota Corolla (CE,S, LE)
2000-2005 Toyotal Celica (GT only)

Materials
4 spark plugs (Denso 3324 iridium spark plugs. Double check your owner's manual.)

This vehicle comes with Denso iridium spark plugs from the factory. After removing them after 120k miles, I highly suggest using with the original equiment plugs. As of 2020 these cost about $9 each.

Tools
10 mm socket
5/8 spark plug socket
Extension bar for ratchet
Socket wrench
Flat-head screwdriver
Air compressor air gun (optional)
Torque Wrench (optional, not shown)

Tools for the job

Time
This procedure takes about an hour to ninty minutes to complete.

Procedure

1. Remove engine cover. There are two 10 mm acorn nuts in the center of the cover. The plastic clips at the rear of the cover can be wiggled out with a screwdriver.

Engine Cover
Remove 10 mm acorn nuts (yellow arrow)
Remove plastic clips (green arrow)

2. Inspect under the top of the engine. The center of my engine was full of acorns courtesy of mice. Use compressed air to clean out before proceeding.

Engine with cover removed

3. The next step is to disconnect the wire clips from the ignition coil pack on each spark plug. See pics below to see what we're accomplishing. Push the tab to remove.

Plastic wire clip connecting to ignition coil pack - connected

Plastic wire clip connecting to ignition coil pack - disconnected

3a. Disconnect the wire clip on the furthest left coil pack.

3b. Disconnect the wire clip on the furthest right coil pack.

Further right coil pack disconnected

3c. There is little room to disconnect the middle coil packs. In order to access, we must remove the plastic wiring harness bar behind the plugs. We must remove the 10 mm bolts and it moves out of the way easily.

Remove 10 mm bolt on right side holding wire harness

Note: The nut stuck to the bolt and I unscrewed the entire bolt! This could happen. Nothing is broken. Just screw it back in when done.

Ooops!The entire bolt came out of engine. That's okay. Just screw it back in later.

3d. Remove the left 10 mm nut as shown with the yellow arrow. You already removed the one with the green arrow. Prop the wiring harness out of the way so you can remove the middle two coil pack clips.

Wire harness out of the way and coil pack clips removed.

Note: Pic shows 10 mm bolts for coil pack clips removed. That is the next step.

4. Remove the coil pack 10 mm bolts holding the coil packs in place.

Remove all four 10 mm bolts. Two are highlighted here.

5. Remove the coil packs. Each  should just lift out. Be careful to not drop anything down the spark plug holes!

One ignition coil pack removed

All ignition coil packs removed.

6. Remove and replace each spark plug one at a time. Use your spark plug socket, extension bar, and socket wrench. Make sure you have it set to remove. Lefty loosey!

Removing a plug. MAKE SURE YOU LOOSEN AND NOT TIGHTEN!

7. Pull out the old plug. It should stay in the rubber boot within the spark plug socket.

Spark plug coming out of the engine

8. Place new plug on the spark plug sock. You do not need anti-seize compound if you use Denso or NGK spark plugs. These brands have a coating on their threads. Plus, they are pre-gapped so no adjustment required. Other brands may require smearing anti-seize compound on the threads.

Look at that beautiful new plug!

9. Remove the socket wrench. Screw the spark plug into place using just your hands and the extension bar. You are doing this so you do not cross-thread it.

Screw the spark plug into place by hand. Notice that there is no socket wrench!

10. Using the socket wrench, tighten so the spark plug washer seats. This is an aluminum engine head, so do not over-tighten. I use my pinky to get it as tight as I can. Then I go an additional quarter turn. If this is your first time, you may opt for a torque wrench. You'll need to research the proper torque spec. I could not find a reliable value on the Internet. Note: Using anti-seize compound could make your spark plug easier to over-tighten with a torque wrench.

11. Push the ignition coil pack onto the plug in the hole. Reinstall the 10 mm bolt to hold the coil pack in place.

12. Repeat steps 6 - 11 for each spark plug.

13. Snap the wiring harness back in place and reinstall hold-down nuts.

Wire harness in place and ready to be bolted down

14. Reinstall the four coil pack wires which we removed in step 3.

Everything is ready to go!

15. Fire up the engine to make sure it works.

16. If engine sounds good, reinstall the engine cover.