NGK: VPower, single ground??
- Thread starter Fjatheart
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Whitson Metalworks
New member
the truck will run but you really want to find the dual ground plugs. being that its a wasted spark ignition, the single ground plugs dont last and you have rough running, misfires, and the like in a short time. if the sticker is still there, it says it right on the motor too.
Drcoffee
Senior Member
There's two camps on this topic. The reason Toyota says to use dual plugs is because they use traditional electrodes which will erode quickly in a single electrode plug. But if you pony up some cash, you can use precious metal single electrode plugs (iridium or platinum) which will last 100k miles with little gap change over time. What I found was the Denso TT which is about $2 each and has precious metal and single eletrode at a fraction of the cost. You must regap it though. They are set at .036 which is too small. Set it to .044 and they will work fine. My mpg went up after swtching and the truck runs great. They should last longer and have no gap erosion by the time I pull them out.
If you want dual electrode you will probably have to special order them or go to the dealership.
If you want dual electrode you will probably have to special order them or go to the dealership.
TheDurk
Elite Member
Likewise. I always use the OEM NGK BKR5EKB-11 dual grounds and NAPA always has them in stock (since 1999).
Cuco
New member
Hi, Drcoffee! well, set my Denso TT just now at .044 as you recommended, I will put these tomorrow and will let you know how works. Thanks
4R99JB
New member
Your SO in trouble... Cus I'm telling mom! Well , your mom anyways.
Drcoffee
Senior Member
Hopefully Advance will let me return the single grounds, cause I just ordered the dual grounds Denso's that came in Runner from the factory. Thank you Amazon, for doing what my ole Advance Auto couldn't do
I'm not sure where you live but if you go to advance auto parts website, it shows they do stock the dual electrode plugs. And if you use p20 code, you should get 20% off.
I still don't understand why anyone would want to use a nickel spark plug any more, but hey we all have our opinions.
Cuco
New member
Well, just putting the Denso TT after set these at .044 as recommended, the start was much faster and feels more power. I just made a run test going through highway and a hill road and all I will say is that my 4runner has now more strongly than before when had the double spark. Nothing, I will wait two to three weeks and I will post results. .
Brian757
New member
I tried single electrode spark plugs in my truck but my truck wasnt enjoying them. It had trouble running. I brought it to my dealership and they of course blamed me for putting in an aftermarket cold air intake and that was the problem. They wanted 3000 for a new airbox and all the components and said it would fix it.
I brought it to AAA mechanics and they said it was my spark plugs. Got dual electrodes and its never had problems since.
I brought it to AAA mechanics and they said it was my spark plugs. Got dual electrodes and its never had problems since.
Last edited:
Drcoffee
Senior Member
I'd bet dollars to dough nuts the problem was improper plug gap. Even a single electrode cheapo plug should run fine for at least 10,000 miles before the ground electrode burns off. Too many people think you can just take a plug out of the box and stick it in. If you do not gap it, it wont run correctly.
Drcoffee
Senior Member
Waste spark ignition
Cliff notes version:
"It is important to know that in a waste spark ignition, both the center firing electrode and ground electrode will see gap erosion. In plugs with a positive polarity, most wear will occur at the center-firing electrode. Plugs with negative polarity will experience more wear at the ground electrode. As a result of this, vehicles equipped with waste spark ignitions often use double precious metal spark plugs, such as the Laser Iridium or Laser Platinum. These dual precious metal plugs feature either iridium or platinum on the center firing electrode and platinum at the ground electrode. Because these electrode materials are denser, gap erosion is reduced, allowing a longer service interval Being that these materials are denser, this will reduce gap erosion, thus leading to a much longer service interval. The use of nickel-alloy or single precious metal spark plugs in vehicles equipped with waste spark ignitions will result in more aggressive gap erosion and shorter spark plug life."
full article:
Waste_Spark_Ignitions
:bigok:
Cliff notes version:
"It is important to know that in a waste spark ignition, both the center firing electrode and ground electrode will see gap erosion. In plugs with a positive polarity, most wear will occur at the center-firing electrode. Plugs with negative polarity will experience more wear at the ground electrode. As a result of this, vehicles equipped with waste spark ignitions often use double precious metal spark plugs, such as the Laser Iridium or Laser Platinum. These dual precious metal plugs feature either iridium or platinum on the center firing electrode and platinum at the ground electrode. Because these electrode materials are denser, gap erosion is reduced, allowing a longer service interval Being that these materials are denser, this will reduce gap erosion, thus leading to a much longer service interval. The use of nickel-alloy or single precious metal spark plugs in vehicles equipped with waste spark ignitions will result in more aggressive gap erosion and shorter spark plug life."
full article:
Waste_Spark_Ignitions
:bigok:
This is what Advance Auto has in there system as the best plug for my '01, but manual says only dual ground plugs. Advance does not carry any dual grounds that will work.
Am I in for trouble if I run these?
I do not want to start a fight here, but... often the reason people are uncertain about things such as this is lack of education. So..
Toyota has used the dual grounded plug for years, and unlike someone above stated it is not a "dual spark" plug. It simply gives the plug a higher chance of fire. Basically, it gives the spark two paths in case one is corroded or worn.
Now a standard nickel or copper plug (including the OPs NGK V-Power) with a single ground, is no upgrade, and perhaps a downgrade, if it is gaped right you should notice little if any difference between it the OEM plug. That said, I would never run these in my Toyota vehicles, just my preference.
NOW.... upgrading your plug to something such as the NGK iridium or Platinum plugs can be beneficial even without the second ground. Not only do the metals have much less resistance (they are more conductive) but they do not deteriorate over time like the standard OEM plugs do. So in short, the NGK iridium plugs spark better, and last longer without wear. have a more conductive center electrode negates the need for have a second or "redundant" ground electrode.
Are the NGK IR and PL plugs better than the OEM plugs???? Well both designs are for the same purpose, increase the reliability of the spark. Both do this with respect to their own designs, however one will outlast the other without gap change by more than double.
I guess, if you can think of the spark more like fluid dynamics, it would be the equivalent of drinking your drink through two small straws vs. one large straw. These are two very different principles, however it is an easy illustration.
Bottom line; gap your plugs correctly, use a quality plug, and don't listen to any rhetoric you read on a forum (this one included)
FYI, I use NGK iridium, last longer, much more conductive, newer technology.
Last edited:
Brian757
New member
I gapped it when I bought them.
I purchased:
Single electrode NGK Iridiums
Anti-Seize
A gapping tool
I set the gap to 0.044" and installed them.
I was having intermittent issues with running and then installed dual electrode sparks. I haven't had the problem since.
I didn't learn until afterwards that 4Runners came factory with dual electrodes. It couldve just been a dud spark plug as well. Who knows. All I know is that its better now :tongue:
Last edited:
Drcoffee
Senior Member
The problem is the iridium IX does not have a precious metel ground. The ground electrode is why they faultered. I had the same experience when I used them. Half the cylinders weren't firing correctly.
Well... yes there is a difference. A bigger electrode causes a smaller spark. Something called Quenching. The newer precious metal plugs (dual plat) have smaller electrodes and allow a bigger flame kernnel. That is HUGE leap forward in spark plug technology. Plus the other reasons you mentioned above.
I like this video because although its a factory promo, it makes the case for the benefits of one over the other.
Multi - Ground Spark Plugs - NGK Spark Plugs - Tech Video
Last edited:
