spark plug gap?

[jakemarsh7]

changing the spark plugs on my '02 SR5, and I was wondering what the spark plug gap is supposed to be. i read somewhere that it should be .043 or .044, but i just want to be sure that the measurement is for each electrode (since they are dual electrode plugs).

 

[AZBub]

why did you buy old school dual electrode plugs?

and you don't gap dual electrode plugs.

 

[JayRolla]

why did you buy old school dual electrode plugs?

and you don't gap dual electrode plugs.

4runners come with dual electrode plugs. Thats what you need to run, part# BKR5EKB-11. You should not need to gap them if you get the oem's. .044 is the correct gap. Also if you gap them they most likely wont work that well as both electrodes need to be identical.

 

[gamefreakgc]

why did you buy old school dual electrode plugs?

and you don't gap dual electrode plugs.

There's a big sticker on your driver's side of the engine to use dual ground spark plugs to avoid spark waste.

But yeah they shouldn't need to be gapped. To be honest, I've seen gaps of all kinds dropped in a 5VZ-FE and it takes it like a champ. I once ran the wrong plugs entirely and it still took it just fine!

 

[jakemarsh7]

i got the Denso #k16tr11's, not sure if that counts as stock or not

 

[JayRolla]

Without boost, gap is not a huge issue.

 

[AZBub]

the dual electrode plugs are outdated. Toyota suggests single electrode iridium now in place of the dual ones.

That sticker is 15+ years old. tech has changed.

 

[Konkordmusk]

the dual electrode plugs are outdated. Toyota suggests single electrode iridium now in place of the dual ones.

That sticker is 15+ years old. tech has changed.

Source for that? Tech may have changed but our engines have not.

 

[d4nrunner]

I went to the dealership last summer and just asked for spark plugs for my 1997 3.4, they gave me dual (denso) plugs and said they are pre gapped. Just pop them in. I would think if they wanted single electrode they would have gave me those instead.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I do run iridium, but that's because I need cooler plugs to resist pinging with the supercharger. Without the dual ground these engines eat plugs pretty quick.

 

[DesertRat01]

I went to the dealership last summer and just asked for spark plugs for my 1997 3.4, they gave me dual (denso) plugs and said they are pre gapped. Just pop them in. I would think if they wanted single electrode they would have gave me those instead.

Guess this is old news, and I'm new here. I just bought a 2000 4Runner, 3.4. Having trouble with a misfire issue and starting with plug replacement as recommended. Got ACDelco and they're single electrode, should I return them and look for duals?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Guess this is old news, and I'm new here. I just bought a 2000 4Runner, 3.4. Having trouble with a misfire issue and starting with plug replacement as recommended. Got ACDelco and they're single electrode, should I return them and look for duals?

Yes, ask for DENSO or NGK (both brands are OEM, literally had 3 of each new from the factory) dual ground copper or platinum plugs. The AC Delco ones won't last long and may even misfire again. AC Delco is a domestic part supplier, doesn't play nice with Japanese vehicles.

 

[3bears]

Guess this is old news, and I'm new here. I just bought a 2000 4Runner, 3.4. Having trouble with a misfire issue and starting with plug replacement as recommended. Got ACDelco and they're single electrode, should I return them and look for duals?

the AC/delco single electrode plugs are pure junk in my opinion. I just recently bought a 2001 as a fixer upper, it was a gamble as it ran rough. It had ac/delco singel electrode plugs, plug wires that were prob original and a failing coil. The new correct plugs, new wires and a coil made my rig run like new and got rid of the miss. if you dont have time to order and wait, car quest sells the NGK wires ( prefered) for not much more than autozone or orielleys sells their generics for.

Are you throwing any codes now ?

 

[DesertRat01]

Yes, ask for DENSO or NGK (both brands are OEM, literally had 3 of each new from the factory) dual ground copper or platinum plugs. The AC Delco ones won't last long and may even misfire again. AC Delco is a domestic part supplier, doesn't play nice with Japanese vehicles.

That's helpful, thanks! Would you say no on Bosch then too? Wallet's a bit tight and Bosch are more affordable, but I don't want to waste money on something that's not gonna fix it properly either.

 

[DesertRat01]

the AC/delco single electrode plugs are pure junk in my opinion. I just recently bought a 2001 as a fixer upper, it was a gamble as it ran rough. It had ac/delco singel electrode plugs, plug wires that were prob original and a failing coil. The new correct plugs, new wires and a coil made my rig run like new and got rid of the miss. if you dont have time to order and wait, car quest sells the NGK wires ( prefered) for not much more than autozone or orielleys sells their generics for.

Are you throwing any codes now ?

Yes, P0300-0304, random misfire and misfire in cylinders 1, 2, 3 and 4 (it's a V6, so I guess 5 and 6 are ok?)

 

[Bad Luck]

Yes, P0300-0304, random misfire and misfire in cylinders 1, 2, 3 and 4 (it's a V6, so I guess 5 and 6 are ok?)

It's possible 5 and 6 are misfiring but not enough to set P0305 OR P0306. It takes a lot of misfires to set the specific misfire code. I'd stick with denso or NGK for toyota vehicles. I'd also recommend doing spark plug wires in addition to spark plugs.

 

[Kanoe]

That's helpful, thanks! Would you say no on Bosch then too? Wallet's a bit tight and Bosch are more affordable, but I don't want to waste money on something that's not gonna fix it properly either.

Have you checked prices at the dealer? Denso plugs are generally cheaper at the dealer than buying NGK at the parts store. Kid you not. Check and let us know.

Camelback is saying $2.50 each for Spark Plug - Toyota (90919-01192) which should be for your V6. Hard to beat that for oem.

Toyota oil filters are generally priced good at the dealer also.

 

[gamefreakgc]

That's helpful, thanks! Would you say no on Bosch then too? Wallet's a bit tight and Bosch are more affordable, but I don't want to waste money on something that's not gonna fix it properly either.

Bosch is a supplier for BMW's and european cars. I've had issues with Bosch sensors in the past so I would have to say no. Have you looked at rockauto.com? 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 3.4L V6 Spark Plug | RockAuto

They have a dual ground copper plug from both NGK and DENSO starting at $2.88 a plug. They are my go-to source for maintenance parts. They do charge for shipping but it's not much for small items. Might as well order your other items from there if you need spark plug wires (also go NGK or DENSO, whatever brand of plugs you buy) to make that shipping cost lower. It'll tell you which parts will ship from the same warehouse so you can keep the shipping cheap.

 

[DesertRat01]

Have you checked prices at the dealer? Denso plugs are generally cheaper at the dealer than buying NGK at the parts store. Kid you not. Check and let us know.

Camelback is saying $2.50 each for Spark Plug - Toyota (90919-01192) which should be for your V6. Hard to beat that for oem.

Toyota oil filters are generally priced good at the dealer also.

You're not kidding, Denso plugs are indeed cheaper at the dealership. Problem is the difference would only save me $3.60 for a set of 6, and the Denso wires are literally 3 times the cost from the part store ($42 vs $135). Got a kid on the way, gonna have to go cheaper this time. Thanks for the tip though!

If plugs and wires don't fix the problem, any suggestions? I bought the thing less than a year ago and kinda got duped, had to get the rack & pinion replaced as well as some other suspension components, having trouble with wiring in the lights and this whole misfire thing...ya, it's been a ride!

Again, I really appreciate the help, hoping I can find a way to contribute one of these days.

 

[Malcolm99]

If you do the wires, I would install Toyota OEM Sumitomo wires, much better fit than NGK wires and last over 20 years, and Denso plugs last longer than the NGK, all the factory installed NGK plugs had noticeably more wear on them than the other 3 Denso plugs installed at the factory. Why they did this I have no idea, same thing was in my 2010 4.0L taco, 3 denso plugs and 3 NGK plugs??.