Great tutorial. Thank you. Everything has been a success. I've watched this video at least 10 times during my operation and was not frustrated at all.

(2003 Highlander Limited V6 3.0 3MZ-FE) Spark plug change thank you soooo much for this video!!!! finally got that big ba$terd bolt off. used: first: 14mm 1/4" socket (had to tap the handle with a small hammer to break it loose), second: a 5/8" pass-thru 14mm socket (the head+socket depth was about 3-4mm less in total depth/width/heighth than the 1/4" drive+socket, and then third: once the bolt protruded just enough past the rearward curved bracket stiffening edges - used a stubby non-hinged gearwrench. In my vehicle I simply had a very very small gap between the back of the manifold and the firewall. I even considered gouging a hole in the insulation just to gain a precious few millimeters. I definitely could not have done any of this if my hands were any bigger. What a PITA but i had no choice as i had a 6" extension stuck to a spark plug socket trapped in the rear driver's side plug 'tunnel'. there was absolutely no way to get the socket off the extension as the edge of the socket never cleared the 'tunnel' and there was not enough wiggle room at the firewall/hard brake lines/underside of intake manifold to pull it all out. Maybe if I'd used a wobble-ended extension from the start.... my bolts were (from Left-Passenger to Right-Driver's side): 12mm (visible left grounding wire on the side of manifiold), 14mm (big hard-to-clear bracket bolt, 10mm (another grounded wire), 10mm (hanger bracket with the hard-lines going thru it), and lastly 12mm (the other large upward projecting support bracket bolting into the rear of the throttle-body: flex-head gearwrench worked best for this one). i wish I had had the time to replace them all with some sort of inset hex-head bolts so all I would need is various allen wrenches if I ever have to do this again. I hope my particular experience helps someone. there are a lot of videos on doing the Toyota transverse V6 plugs in various vehicles/years/V6 generations, but they all assume there is enough room to not have to pull the intake manifold to maneuver the plugs out/in. in my particular vehicle - I just don't think there was enough room as I first tried that method. probably could not have done this without your video, or at least would have probably never even tried to do my plugs. Now I have ~$500 I didn't spend for a mechanic minus plugs ($8.50 ea), new pass-thru socket set (stanley @ midnight walmart run $20), and HF-Pittsburgh stubby gearwrench set ($20). ....and lots of Satisfaction!

Thanks Jim, this is very informative, don't stop posting videos. People on the budget needs people like you.

Great tutorial, normally think of Toyota's as easy to work on and access maintenance items like this but with V bank engine possible on knock sensor. Again great work and info. Dont normally work on Toyotas but took me about an hour to do this so 3 hours with flat rate sounds about right.

Very grateful for your video. Thank you for making this tutorial.

Jim, I replaced the knock sensors and 02 sensors and it corrected the transmission problem. Couldn't have done it without your video. Those back bolts were a pain but with persistence I got them off and then on. Keep the videos coming.

Hey Jim, great video! I need to change out the fuel injectors on my 03 Highlander, I was wondering if you could do a video walkthrough of that? Keep up the great work my friend!

Cheers to you guys that diy this, a bit too complicated for me

Very helpful, thank you!

I have an 03 Highlander too. No trouble codes, but even though it runs great, it revs at 3k or more on the highway. Uses a ton of gas. Feels good, no odd noises. The overdrive button is on, not off either. It has 182k. I bought it two weeks ago. I'm getting about 250 miles from a full tank.

Hello, what is that cylinder that's built into the plenum for and the vacuum plunger its connected to called? thanks

Thanks for your videos. I have a Toyota Highlander on 2003 3.0L V6 AWD. I am going to replace 6 spark plugs, 6 Ignition coils, 6 fuel injectioners, 2 intake manifold gasget in your way on March, 2019. Thanks. Have a great day.

Oh man so much work for such a small sensor..!!! Thanks, I need to decide if it worth the trouble or just drive in 3rd gear forever..LOL!

Hey Jim, great video. Any ideas on a 2008 4Runner's knock sensors?

Quite enlightening. Most of the videos I watched, they did not remove the intake manifold when they replaced the spark plugs. The repair manual states that you should remove the intake manifold when replacing spark plugs, so I really appreciate the proper way, instead of the shortcuts, good job. Hey are you related to ericthecarguy, is he your brother or something. Lol.

Do you have suggestions or video on replacing shift cable on 2003 Highlander Limited? Any tips or hints?

If you were that deep in, why didn't you change that coolant hose that may be a problem later? Im going to do the same thing to my 01 Highlander this week and I have to say, Awesome Video!! Will use this entire video while I am doing this. Thanks so much for sharing and the knowledge I gained for this project.

this a good time to change valve covers too?

What is the bladder valve on the left side of these 3.0 engines called? The part that is very rusted in video. Has long metal arm attached to back top left of manifold and has a vacuum line on front of valve.

Replaced sensors and harness. Bank 2 code is still on. Does it take time to work its way off the computer?

Is this the same for a 2001 Toyota avalon xls??

can anyone explain what kind of tool they used to get the large bolt of the big bracket on the passenger rear side of the plenum? the bracket is curved rearwards precluding the use of a gear wrench and even my 1/4" socket drive is too tight against the firewall. see time stamp 10:11

I have a 2002 Toyota Highlander 3.0, and have a P0330 code. I removed everything except I am having trouble removing the 2 screws for the motor mount to remove coolant intake to replace gaskets. Any suggestions? Can I take off the 2 studs that hold the coolant intake? I am considering buying an impact gun to see if I can get them off. Also, I have also decided to replace to both knock sensors and harness, spark plugs, pcv, thermostat, plenum & manifold gaskets, and coolant hose by knock sensors. Any other suggestions on what I should change while it's apart and have access?

Do the gaskets under the intake manifold need sealant? Or can the go on dry?

How did you get the 15 mm bolt off the back of the intake? That’s the hardest part

everything was good just when u didnt show some things u were doing u could of laid the camera were u were placing it at on the side just to cover everything u did but it was a great video no problems thanks for what ur doing and helping people to know and see what needs to be done

Well done Jim -wow that was a lot to get to the knock sensors. The p0330 - is it always the sensor ?

Great video. Im doing the same job today. How did you disconnect the gas line????? Thank you!

Jim would you suggest some other maintenance items to do while you have this all apart to replace the knock sensors?

donde se ubica el sensor de velocidad de una toyota Higlinder 4 cilindtos

Hey Jim, Nice video. Do I have to remove the plenum to change the rear 3 spark plugs? Looks like it....

What's the torque specs on the plenum?

My Highlander 2033 code P0332 P0442 P0446 these issues will i need to fix asap, kindly to see your advice thanks !

Excellent video. I have to replace the knock sensors and the O2 sensors and while I'm at it I may as well replace the spark plugs. My 2002 Highlander is not shifting into 4th gear and I can't take the truck on long trips. I'm able to get to the bolts on the back so I think I should be able to get this completed.

Very good video sir, i have i question, i have the same car with the same engine, coolant leaks all the way to my charcoal canister, those that means the my intake manifold gaskets are bad?

What size Allen key did u use I need to take my cover off to fix my gasket cover leaking oil bad

Do I need to replace any injector seals when doing this job? I know you don't remove the injectors from the intake but are their any seals for the injector underneath the intake that need replaced?

Great Video. I changed out my knock sensors no problem. The issue I have now is that my car won't shift from 1st to 2nd like it used to, now it's much higher RPMs and jerky. Jerky even after that when it tries to shift. Any idea what I did? Messed up something or is it unrelated and just a really bad coincidence?

2003 Toyota Highlander P0330 how to remove the intake manifold

Hello Jim, Awesome Video!! Thank you sharing, quick question, did the customer notice the car was shifting as good when they had the bad sensors and after the fix did the shifting performance go back to normal? (I have a 01 Highlander that has the same problem that is why I am asking) Thanks in advance to your reply!!

Anyone that had this vehicle set a PO325 or PO330 detonation sensor code also get a pending PO171 or 174 lean code. I’ve got one now that’s doing that.

Can you estimate how many hours of labor this took to complete?

Hi Jim - how many hours to replace the knock sensors in a Sienna 2002 van?

I bet you the 2 braket on the back it takes you 15 mins to take out.. that's the hardest parts...

I have an exhaust leak and can smell it. Firestone told me I have a crack in my exhaust manifold. They didn't tell me either front or if there is one in the back. Last year had my flange welded. I have a 2003 Highlander, 6 cyl. I have no engine light sensor on. I wish I knew a master mechanic I could trust in the Haverhill, Mass area. Suggestions please and thank you. The job you did for this car looked very laborous. How much $ could I possibly be looking at? I don't trust Midus muffler or chains like it. Thank you in advance for answering my question.

How did you take the bolt out in the back

Hey body, I replaced my knock sensor on my 2000 lexus es300 and now I get po325 Is knock sensor? I buy it the sensors from eBay, maybe that's the problem?

How much it cost to replace this knock sensor?

Great video but I can hardly hear what your saying.

bro skipped on how to get the bolt off from the rear of the upper intake 😭

All that shit for a sensor,

Jim, I replaced the knock sensors and 02 sensors and it corrected the transmission problem. Couldn't have done it without your video. Those back bolts were a pain but with persistence I got them off and then on. Keep the videos coming.