Spark Plugs every 30K?

J

jdotlim

New member
I am about to hit the 90K miles in a few months here, and just getting my ducks in a row for scheduled maintenance. I have never heard of any engine needing spark plugs every 30K Miles. I checked 60K and 120K and it says to change spark plugs. If I am reading the wrong one, please let me know what you guys do for 90K. Thanks.

Car: 2007 Sport Edition, V6, 2WD

 
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The V6 uses copper plugs and they recommend to be changed every 30k. You're not reading it wrong.

I changed mine at 125k and they were the original plugs so they'll last longer than 30k.

Also, only use the plugs recommended in the owner's manual. These engines can be picky about spark plugs, even expensive ones. I've read that a lot of people had problems with the Bosch versions and other brand names as well. The manual calls for either Densos or NGKs but I can't remember which. The owner's manual gives the specific make and model names. That's what I used and all went well.
 
fdbyrne said:
The V6 uses copper plugs and they recommend to be changed every 30k. You're not reading it wrong.

I changed mine at 125k and they were the original plugs so they'll last longer than 30k.

Also, only use the plugs recommended in the owner's manual. These engines can be picky about spark plugs, even expensive ones. I've read that a lot of people had problems with the Bosch versions and other brand names as well. The manual calls for either Densos or NGKs but I can't remember which. The owner's manual gives the specific make and model names. That's what I used and all went well.
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Thank you for your help! I will read the manual for which spark plugs to use.
 
OP, originally the plugs were required to be changed every 30K to maintain the 8-year emissions equipment warranty. In other words, if you didn't have proof of changing the plugs every 30K, Toyota wouldn't honor the state required 8-year warranty on emissions equipment. At least that's the case in California, not sure if the 8 year warranty applies in all 50-states. Since you are passed the warranty time period, it's up to you to decide to change it now or not.
There may be enough degradation in function after 30K that Toyota's testing indicated this requirement to prevent costly warranty work on the cats or o2 sensors but we have no way of knowing that. Also, many people on here have gone much longer than 30K without changing their copper plugs and haven't really reported any issues. You can also use Iridiums which will last much longer, just make sure to stay away from Bosch and use only Denso or NGK. Personally, I like the peace of mind of using what Toyota recommends and just following the proper maintenance intervals in the owners manual and change mine (keeping with Denso or NGK copper) every 30K.
 
BlackWorksInc said:
Iridiums only came on the V8, all single VVTi 1GR-FEs had standard copper plugs.
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My 04 sport v6 manual says iridium... I hope it's not copper. I just ordered iridiums.

EDIT: Cancelled my ordrer. Some googling here say that I should buy these. Which I assume are copper like you said.
 
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jdotlim said:
Thank you for your help! I will read the manual for which spark plugs to use.
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Go to the dealership, it's only a few bucks per plug, think they use NGKs.

heiser said:
My 04 sport v6 manual says iridium... I hope it's not copper. I just ordered iridiums.

EDIT: Cancelled my ordrer. Some googling here say that I should buy these. Which I assume are copper like you said.
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[MENTION=100496]blackworks[/MENTION] is correct. Copper plugs in the 4.0. It's the same across the Tacoma and the 4runner 4.0 and all I've ever used in either one of mine (My Tacoma has 106k on it so 3x changes). There's a couple threads on TW that detail why you should use copper instead of iridium in the 4.0, but the gist of it, is that it's what you should use for the 4.0 V6.
 
Back when I first bought mine, I found the dealer had the best price by far on the plugs my V6 needed, and I looked everywhere.

I was completely shocked.

Instant improvement over the crappy, rough running bosh plugs the previous owner had.
 
The V6 uses copper plugs and the manufacturer does in fact recommend 30K sparkplug changes.

I most certainly didn't follow that. I changed mine at 120K and although they were a beat up, they were working just fine.

I think replacing them before 100K is just fine based on my experience. 30K is a waste of time and money IMHO.

See link for my pics:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2225797-post24.html
 
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luke87gt said:
The V6 uses copper plugs and the manufacturer does in fact recommend 30K sparkplug changes.

I most certainly didn't follow that. I changed mine at 120K and although they were a beat up, they were working just fine.

I think replacing them before 100K is just fine based on my experience. 30K is a waste of time and money IMHO.

See link for my pics:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2225797-post24.html
Click to expand...

What was the gap? Theoretically the larger the gap the more resistance the ignition coil has to fight to spark; that's not something easily tested on a bench as resistance at various heat, air/fuel mixture, and pressure affects spark (which is why you can have a coil that sparks fine out of the cylinder but can't do a good job while installed.) So theoretically by not changing copper plugs when advised or at least re-gapping them, the coils work harder and could result in premature failure. Now that's a worst case scenario and I'm sure other factors play into the 30k interval. Honestly I'd just throw some good NGK or Denso Iridiums and not worry about them for 90-100k. :)
 
i have an 03 v6 and the first time I replaced the plugs was at 90k. sounds about right. I follow the toyota owners Manual.
 
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