Changed the plugs on Thursday and....

D

DMX512

New member
So this past Thursday 09 Mar 2017 it was in the mid 70's here in So. Indiana/Louisville and I decided to change the spark plugs after getting home from work.
Pretty straightforward job.
Got in there and the Pass. side were all Denso while the Driver side were all NGK. Not that big of a deal..I have gone to a parts store and have had to deal with low stock.
What surprised me is that the old plugs had a gap of approx 0.060! They must have been OLD. I am surprised that the T4R would idle/run at all.
She does run much more and seems to be more responsive to throttle input now.
Waiting for another box from Rock and on to the 5th Gen brake mod!
 
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DMX512 said:
So this past Thursday 09 Mar 2017 it was in the mid 70's here in So. Indiana/Louisville and I decided to change the spark plugs after getting home from work.
Pretty straightforward job.
Got in there and the Pass. side were all Denso while the Driver side were all NGK. Not that big of a deal..I have gone to a parts store and have had to deal with low stock.
What surprised me is that the old plugs had a gap of approx 0.060! They must have been OLD. I am surprised that the T4R would idle/run at all.
She does run much more and seems to be more responsive to throttle input now.
Waiting for another box from Rock and on to the 5th Gen brake mod!
Click to expand...

Those were the original plugs or if they were ever changed the person changing them used the same brand found in each head, the left and right heads were manufactured at different factories in Japan and for whatever reason they used different brand plugs at the 2 factories, the specs are the same on the different brands so I guess Toyota didn't see a problem installing them in this fashion.
 
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Interesting
The 50% additional gap is what surprised me. I guess it is a testimony to the engineering of the Toyota. I would have thought that the dramatically increased gap-age would have caused mechanical and/or computer issues.
Not that I plan on testing that theory again.
 
I didn't check the gaps on mine when I bought my truck at 140K, but I think they were still the OEM and in the same situation as yours.

Just did Denso's in both banks. Used a Napa coupon. Replaced all 6 for under $10 out the door.
 
.060 is not 50% more, what did you gap the new plugs at?

I believe the recommended gap should be .043.
 
Are most people not aware that the 1GR-FEs are using standard copper plugs that call for 30k service intervals?

I'd imagine it'd make a bit of a difference given the coils don't have to work as hard. :)
 
BlackWorksInc said:
Are most people not aware that the 1GR-FEs are using standard copper plugs that call for 30k service intervals?

I'd imagine it'd make a bit of a difference given the coils don't have to work as hard. :)
Click to expand...

I lump spark plugs with other neglected maintenance items like cabin air filters or brake fluid, and TB if needed. Most don't do it out of neglect, ignorance, or just plain don't know. Plus a lot of owners don't keep their cars long enough to need the required maintenance. Then there are those who get suckered to do it by shops way too soon/way over priced.

It doesn't help that majority of cars today use iridium plugs rated for 100K and they think the 1GR falls into that category too. The "image" of Toyota reliability over shadow some maintenance too (i.e. WS ATF). If it aint broke, dont fix it mentality.

My short time in this forum at least tells me that the majority of us T4R enthusiasts recommend maintenance before modding, and many of us wrench on our own. I always shook my head in the other forums i belonged to. Guys spend all their money on form over function, then ask for deals on a shop oil change.
 
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I installed Bosch Platinum...what was avalaiable at the time.
Checked gap...it was 0.044, close enough, and consistent across all new plugs.
I want to do the PM's and upgrade along those lines first. Then move on, along the same path
 
DMX512 said:
I installed Bosch Platinum...what was avalaiable at the time.
Checked gap...it was 0.044, close enough, and consistent across all new plugs.
I want to do the PM's and upgrade along those lines first. Then move on, along the same path
Click to expand...

I have used Bosch plats in the past . replace at 30K miles.

copper plugs if that "is" the proper plug should be used on your 2007 V6.

this will effect spark . I know of other new vehicle engines that must use the copper NGK plugs .. some have installed iridium plugs and had problems had to go back to the manufactures spec.

.060 gap is not all that bad. I have seen on a ford truck engine plugs with almost 200K and the engine ran good, but the plug tip not much left ... copper plug.. 30K is the max on copper or a Bosch plat..
 
Modern ignition systems will easily generate enough voltage to fire a .060" plug gap. If all of the coils, wires and insulation are in good shape, dry, and squeaky clean it's not a problem at all. The issue comes when the insulation gets dirty and/or starts breaking down - the higher voltage required is more likely to jump across the compromised insulation and start causing misfires.
 
catrains said:
I have used Bosch plats in the past . replace at 30K miles.

copper plugs if that "is" the proper plug should be used on your 2007 V6.

this will effect spark . I know of other new vehicle engines that must use the copper NGK plugs .. some have installed iridium plugs and had problems had to go back to the manufactures spec.

.060 gap is not all that bad. I have seen on a ford truck engine plugs with almost 200K and the engine ran good, but the plug tip not much left ... copper plug.. 30K is the max on copper or a Bosch plat..
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Yeah, oddly enough Single VVTi 1GR-FE engines are copper plugs; Dual VVTi units like the 2010 FJ & 4Runners use iridium. I believe members who have switched to Iridiums have not had any issues as far as I know.

Ironically Bosch and Toyota's don't always mix well... I've seen numerous weird random misfires and running rough conditions using Bosch plugs and wires that only goes away when going back to NGK or Denso parts. I have never found or heard a satisfactory explanation for why that happens.
 
BlackWorksInc said:
Yeah, oddly enough Single VVTi 1GR-FE engines are copper plugs; Dual VVTi units like the 2010 FJ & 4Runners use iridium. I believe members who have switched to Iridiums have not had any issues as far as I know.

Ironically Bosch and Toyota's don't always mix well... I've seen numerous weird random misfires and running rough conditions using Bosch plugs and wires that only goes away when going back to NGK or Denso parts. I have never found or heard a satisfactory explanation for why that happens.
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BlackWorks,

I believe it's because Toyotas don't speak German very well!
 
My German sucks. My German teacher in HS was just as interested in girls as I was.
If I notice any weirdness I will switch to good ole NGK or Denso in a heartbeat.
Thanks for the replies everyone.
As expected...humorus and informative.
 
BlackWorksInc said:
Yeah, oddly enough Single VVTi 1GR-FE engines are copper plugs; Dual VVTi units like the 2010 FJ & 4Runners use iridium. I believe members who have switched to Iridiums have not had any issues as far as I know.

Ironically Bosch and Toyota's don't always mix well... I've seen numerous weird random misfires and running rough conditions using Bosch plugs and wires that only goes away when going back to NGK or Denso parts. I have never found or heard a satisfactory explanation for why that happens.
Click to expand...

NGK, Denso or Autolite. Always had problems running Bosch plugs. No explanation, just don't run well.
 
Dag Nabbit
Now you guys have me ready to just go ahead and change out the plugs to Denso or NGK. Fortunately it is not that hard or time consuming.
Perhaps I will get my 12 year old daughter involved this time around.
 
DMX512 said:
Dag Nabbit
Now you guys have me ready to just go ahead and change out the plugs to Denso or NGK. Fortunately it is not that hard or time consuming.
Perhaps I will get my 12 year old daughter involved this time around.
Click to expand...

If I were you I would just purchase the Denso ar NGK plugs and have them on hand "IF" you have issues with the Bosch plugs or after 30,000 miles.
 
Glad I saw that the change interval for the coppers is 30k....I used to do em every 10k in my 3000GT. That got old reaaaaal quick because I had to pull the upper intake manifold to get to the rear plugs...
 
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