Iridium spark plugs
- Thread starter Ross
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2uzrunner03
New member
Pulled mine at 130k...they looked okay but I still replaced them
Replacing plugs is easy and cheap (even the iridium when calculated over 100k miles).
They may be fine..but not worth it my opinion.
And I've heard people having major problems when leaving the plugs in the head for long periods...usually the plug hole gets stripped when trying to remove the plug.
They may be fine..but not worth it my opinion.
And I've heard people having major problems when leaving the plugs in the head for long periods...usually the plug hole gets stripped when trying to remove the plug.
Atlanta_man
New member
are they really easy to change ?
I'd prefer to do it myself (someday)
I'd prefer to do it myself (someday)
Desert Fox
New member
I have the V8 and it is less than a 1 beer job
2uzrunner03
New member
It's super easy...all you should need is a ratchet, extension and spark plug socket...make sure to get antisieze for the threads and the boot lube
Also imo you should go for the stock ngk iridiums rather than the iridium ix because only the stock ones have a platinum ground
Almost forgot you will need a driver to remove the coil packs...I think its 10mm
Also imo you should go for the stock ngk iridiums rather than the iridium ix because only the stock ones have a platinum ground
Almost forgot you will need a driver to remove the coil packs...I think its 10mm
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I had another car that came with standard copper plugs, I changed to platinum plugs to try to cut back on maint. As soon as I did the check engine light come on. I asked a service tech about it and he said something about spark being this or that or the temp or whatever. The car seemed to fun fine with the platinum plugs. I changed back to the original style plug and the check engine light went away.
Not sure if the 4Runner would have this issue but it is easy enough just to get what Toyota designed it for in the first place. If it came with a certain type plug there may be a reason.
MANY MANY people buy Platinum or Iridium plugs because they are expecting added performance and/or increased gas mileage. Neither plug was designed to do so. Platinum lasts longer then standard copper plugs...and Iridium last even longer then Platinum plugs. You can probably go to the Platinum or Iridium plugs and then just change the plugs farther down the road.
Personally I like changing the plugs once a year (about 35k miles) and examine the plugs. If there's a problem I know about it a lot sooner...which is better then finding out about it when engine dies.
Personally I like changing the plugs once a year (about 35k miles) and examine the plugs. If there's a problem I know about it a lot sooner...which is better then finding out about it when engine dies.
I pull the plugs every few months on an old tractor I have to see if they get fouled or have other issues. I have never found this necessary on a newer car. Usually I get a check engine light before the plug show signs of problems. I do think it is good practice to at least loosen not necessarily remove your plugs on occasion so they stuck in the motor.
Desert Fox
New member
Back in the day (had to say that) I cleaned my plugs every 5,000 miles and replaced them at 10,000. I always used Motorcraft (or Autolite, I forget what they were back then). But gas was leaded and not as clean as today. Cars had higher compression engines and ignition spark was driven by contact points. Having good plugs could have been the difference in a good run or an embarrassment on Saturday night.
Today I dont see the need to change them out like that. Use high quality plugs and let them do their stuff. I am more concerend about the computer stuff we use in todays cars. You cant adjust them with a match.
But plugs are not that expensive and are easy to change so if it gives you piece of mind, it is well worth it.
Today I dont see the need to change them out like that. Use high quality plugs and let them do their stuff. I am more concerend about the computer stuff we use in todays cars. You cant adjust them with a match.
But plugs are not that expensive and are easy to change so if it gives you piece of mind, it is well worth it.
Is an oscilloscope or what is used to check plugs? What do the dealers use to check plugs? I purchased a Certified 07 V-6 T4R with 43,000 mi but no record showed the plugs had been changed @ 35,000 mi. per the maintenance schedule. The service Dept said they d/n need changing (but could check them again) and they would easily go over 60,000 mi.
With today’s plugs I felt that was true as experienced with my other cars/trucks. My concerns were warranty matters if the plugs w/n changed. If Etc other components had failed related to plugs, I felt I c/h had a problem and they admitted I c/h. Due to that concern on a Certified purchase and Ext Warranty, they chanced the plugs (about a 130.00 cost to them vs me). I feel their test would have been performance and I had no concern there. I could see and feel difference with the feeler gauge between old and new at 43,000 mi.
Why is the V6’s recommended plug change shorter than the V8 (35,000 vs 90,000 maybe)? Thanks in advance! jow
With today’s plugs I felt that was true as experienced with my other cars/trucks. My concerns were warranty matters if the plugs w/n changed. If Etc other components had failed related to plugs, I felt I c/h had a problem and they admitted I c/h. Due to that concern on a Certified purchase and Ext Warranty, they chanced the plugs (about a 130.00 cost to them vs me). I feel their test would have been performance and I had no concern there. I could see and feel difference with the feeler gauge between old and new at 43,000 mi.
Why is the V6’s recommended plug change shorter than the V8 (35,000 vs 90,000 maybe)? Thanks in advance! jow
I can address the shorter schedule on the v6 vs. v8, that is Toyota being safe for optimal performance. V6's have a higher RPM power band, meaning that the engine hangs out at higher RPM than the v8; meaning more "sparks" short out of the plugs and more combustion cycles.
A.k.A: It ages quicker.
A.k.A: It ages quicker.
