Hey gents,
Just wanted to give a heads up for anyone looking for new spark plugs for their V8's. There is a big problem with fake spark plugs from online retailers such as eBay and Amazon. I recently ordered a spark plug from eBay that the seller advertised as Genuine Toyota parts with 99% positive feedback. After receiving it and realizing it was clearly a fake, I went ahead and ordered the same plugs from Rock Auto. To make matters worse, the eBay plugs were about 50 cents more expensive than genuine ones from Rock Auto so it wasn't as if it was "too good to be true".
Here is the comparison between the two:
First, notice the text difference between the two. Be aware that the checkerboard pattern isn't the telltale sign as I've seen genuine plugs with the checkerboard pattern. However, the SK20R11 markings have odd spacing and font:
The biggest telltale sign... Genuine Iridium plugs should have a blue hue and have laser welded tips. Notice the fake has a copper color and there is no sign of welding of the tip. In addition, the fake tip is recessed and the white insulator is of poor quality. Finally, there are lots of defects in the machining of the spark plug, there are deep nicks found throughout the threads and metal around the tip.
Credit to AuSeeker: The ground electrode on the genuine plug is platinum (you can tell by the difference in color) while the fake plug uses the same metal as the threaded portion of the plug:
Another look at the recessed tip, shoddy white insulator, poor machining, and the use of the same metal on the ground electrode:
What's funny is when I contacted the seller about selling me fake plugs, he was quick to issue a refund and $5 on top. In return for his generosity he requested that I change my bad review to a positive one. Of course, I told him to pound sand.
Just wanted to give a heads up for anyone looking for new spark plugs for their V8's. There is a big problem with fake spark plugs from online retailers such as eBay and Amazon. I recently ordered a spark plug from eBay that the seller advertised as Genuine Toyota parts with 99% positive feedback. After receiving it and realizing it was clearly a fake, I went ahead and ordered the same plugs from Rock Auto. To make matters worse, the eBay plugs were about 50 cents more expensive than genuine ones from Rock Auto so it wasn't as if it was "too good to be true".
Here is the comparison between the two:
First, notice the text difference between the two. Be aware that the checkerboard pattern isn't the telltale sign as I've seen genuine plugs with the checkerboard pattern. However, the SK20R11 markings have odd spacing and font:
The biggest telltale sign... Genuine Iridium plugs should have a blue hue and have laser welded tips. Notice the fake has a copper color and there is no sign of welding of the tip. In addition, the fake tip is recessed and the white insulator is of poor quality. Finally, there are lots of defects in the machining of the spark plug, there are deep nicks found throughout the threads and metal around the tip.
Credit to AuSeeker: The ground electrode on the genuine plug is platinum (you can tell by the difference in color) while the fake plug uses the same metal as the threaded portion of the plug:
Another look at the recessed tip, shoddy white insulator, poor machining, and the use of the same metal on the ground electrode:
What's funny is when I contacted the seller about selling me fake plugs, he was quick to issue a refund and $5 on top. In return for his generosity he requested that I change my bad review to a positive one. Of course, I told him to pound sand.
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