Changing spark plugs, quick question.
- Thread starter yota-runner
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yota-runner
New member
awpsome
New member
The reason we have dual ground spark plugs is due to the way our engines are engineered. They have a secondary spark that happens after the first to "clear" the chamber and the reason for the dual ground is for longer lasting and for a more effective spark.
Although the single ground probably would work i believe they will die twice as fast?
But either way NGK actually makes a specific plug just for our 5VZ motors so if it was me i rather go with the NGKs that were made for our motors.
Although the single ground probably would work i believe they will die twice as fast?
But either way NGK actually makes a specific plug just for our 5VZ motors so if it was me i rather go with the NGKs that were made for our motors.
Well... I though this way.....
One igniter gives a spark and that will send a spark to a piston at the compression stroke and to the other piston (through the connected wire) at an exhaust stroke. So a spark plug gets two sparks per crank revolution wearing it twice as fast.
One igniter gives a spark and that will send a spark to a piston at the compression stroke and to the other piston (through the connected wire) at an exhaust stroke. So a spark plug gets two sparks per crank revolution wearing it twice as fast.
BlazeRunner
Member
I just switched my plugs from single to the double prongs not too long ago and it made a big difference in performance and even how the engine sounded. I used NGK BKR5EKB-11 got em at O'Reilly for like 4.50 a piece
The 5VZ-FE has a waste spark ignition system. Meaning that the three coils fire twice, per crankshaft rotation.
Each time they fire, they are igniting the A/F mixture in whichever cylinder is on the compression stroke. Be it the cylinder the coil itself is mounted above, or the one it's connected to by a spark plug wire.
The dual copper electrode plugs are speced by Toyota simply for longevity, because each plug fires twice as often as those in a non-waste spark ignition system.
So dual electrode copper plugs, will last twice as long as single electrode copper plugs with the 5VZ-FE ignition system.
Iridium is much more durable than copper, so the Iridium plugs will last longer than a standard single electrode copper plug.
In my own 4Runner, I've been running the NGK single electrode Iridium plugs for ten years now. So far, they've shown significantly less erosion of the electrodes, than the OE dual-electrode copper plugs did at less mileage.
I intend to keep using the NGK Iridium plugs in my 4Runner.
If you install the Iridium plugs, and check the gap, DO NOT use a ramp style plug gap gauge, as they can put too much side stress on the Iridium center electrode, and could break it off. Check and adjust Iridium plugs ONLY with a wire type gauge.
Each time they fire, they are igniting the A/F mixture in whichever cylinder is on the compression stroke. Be it the cylinder the coil itself is mounted above, or the one it's connected to by a spark plug wire.
The dual copper electrode plugs are speced by Toyota simply for longevity, because each plug fires twice as often as those in a non-waste spark ignition system.
So dual electrode copper plugs, will last twice as long as single electrode copper plugs with the 5VZ-FE ignition system.
Iridium is much more durable than copper, so the Iridium plugs will last longer than a standard single electrode copper plug.
In my own 4Runner, I've been running the NGK single electrode Iridium plugs for ten years now. So far, they've shown significantly less erosion of the electrodes, than the OE dual-electrode copper plugs did at less mileage.
I intend to keep using the NGK Iridium plugs in my 4Runner.
If you install the Iridium plugs, and check the gap, DO NOT use a ramp style plug gap gauge, as they can put too much side stress on the Iridium center electrode, and could break it off. Check and adjust Iridium plugs ONLY with a wire type gauge.
Diesel_Dog
New member
The PO of my buggy had installed the single ground plugs. It seems to run fine but I have nothing to compare it to. As mentioned above there is a sticker under the hood that advises to use dual, so I ordered up some Denso Japan OE-Spec Spark Plugs part# K16TR-11.
If you can, go back to the store and swap them out for dual.
If you can, go back to the store and swap them out for dual.
TCMach
New member
Did it really? I did the same thing and I can't even tell the difference. Besides maybe a .5 mpg boost.
BlazeRunner
Member
Kinda wish I woulda taken pics of my old plugs, they were exactly that - old. They looked done for years ago, plus at the same time I also did my fuel filter which probably helped a ton, too... but yeah, before I changed those out my engine sounded weak, was pretty sluggish. Now it sounds much more throaty from my intake and she gets up and goes. Upon acceleration it just sounds much more healthy, almost as if it wasn't getting enough spark before. I'm getting close to 20mpg with about 70% highway and the rest city/light wheeling. I used 1/4 tank wheeling and the rest getting around my area and averaged 18.75 mpg on that tank. I'm very happy.
