Spark Plugs

A

axle167

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I did a search on this topic, but I can't seeem to find a consensus on this issue: stock plugs, platinum, or Iridium? Oh, and there's the issue about the stock setup of having both Denso and NGK plugs in at the same time. some people swear by this setup, while others would go with NGK only.

I am not looking for any performance out of the plugs. However, I do want a long lasting ones. I am not sure what the stock plugs are, since I bought the truck used and Have not change the plugs yet.

I was told that I should use a multi ground platinum plug for it's longevity, but iridium has tested to last longer platinum. however I'm not sure about the single ground setup that Iridium comes with.

So here are my questions:

1. Should I choose Iridium single ground over Platinum multi ground?

2. sparkplugs.com recomends Denso's Irid or multi Plat and NGK's multi plat. NGK's site recomends both irid and plat.
Which one should I believe regarding the NGK Iridium?

3. what are the arguments surounding the stack denso+NGK setup. also which plugs came stock? Plat or regular?

Thanx in advance for anyone's input:beer:
 
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axle167 said:
I did a search on this topic, but I can't seeem to find a consensus on this issue: stock plugs, platinum, or Iridium? Oh, and there's the issue about the stock setup of having both Denso and NGK plugs in at the same time. some people swear by this setup, while others would go with NGK only.

I am not looking for any performance out of the plugs. However, I do want a long lasting ones. I am not sure what the stock plugs are, since I bought the truck used and Have not change the plugs yet.

I was told that I should use a multi ground platinum plug for it's longevity, but iridium has tested to last longer platinum. however I'm not sure about the single ground setup that Iridium comes with.

So here are my questions:

1. Should I choose Iridium single ground over Platinum multi ground?

2. sparkplugs.com recomends Denso's Irid or multi Plat and NGK's multi plat. NGK's site recomends both irid and plat.
Which one should I believe regarding the NGK Iridium?

3. what are the arguments surounding the stack denso+NGK setup. also which plugs came stock? Plat or regular?

Thanx in advance for anyone's input:beer:
Click to expand...

I would say stock plugs. I own a 01 and my original plugs lasted 70,xxx miles. I just replaced mine with stock ones.
 
Just an update on the NGK Iridium single electrode plugs.
When I asked NGK (4-13-12) ,they stated that the single electrode Iridium plugs presented no issues with my 2001 T4R SR5 engine.They also indicated that the single electrode Iridium plugs were a step up from the original which they had built for this engine.
 
Flame suit on.

I'm running NGK iridiums and my gas mileage is 17.5 in town so I have no issues with them in my truck. Here's the problem with the 4runner, it uses a wasted spark ignition system which if you were wondering why the truck only has 3 coil packs, it's because it fires two cylinders each time it fires. The problem is on one cylinder it fires from the center electrode to the ground, but on the paired cylinder it's firing from the ground to the center electrode (in reverse direction). You quickly realize that the ground electrode will quickly get eroded if the spark is emitting from it. Hence the need for a twin ground spark plug.

Check out the new NGK Laser Iridium. It has an iridium center and platinum ground. It should be the best plug for the truck. The gap should be maintained for the next 100,000 miles unlike the factory plugs. I guess time will tell.

Google "wasted spark ignition" for a better understanding of the system.

If you find some pics of the factory plugs after just 50k miles the gap is very wide. The efficiency of the engine will go way down.
 
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joncee52 said:
Just an update on the NGK Iridium single electrode plugs.
When I asked NGK (4-13-12) ,they stated that the single electrode Iridium plugs presented no issues with my 2001 T4R SR5 engine.They also indicated that the single electrode Iridium plugs were a step up from the original which they had built for this engine.
Click to expand...

It says on my motor that you should not use a single electrode plug, only dual electrode.eeee
 
I thought the plugs were to be changed out every 30,000 miles if I remember correctly, to compensate for the waste spark.

I have run the NGK iridiums single electrode and the idle was not as smooth as with the dual electrode plugs. However, running the aformentioned iridiums will not kill the engine.
 
Drcoffee said:
If you find some pics of the factory plugs after just 50k miles the gap is very wide. The efficiency of the engine will go way down.
Click to expand...

After 50k miles on my truck, you will find new plugs with 20K on them. A look at your old plugs is one of the best diagnostics into the health of your engine. I change my copper NGK's every 30k and I have no desire to buy fancier plugs that run longer. Swapping plugs is a piece of cake and there is zero performance gain from the fancier plugs relative to copper plugs and a 30k change interval.
 
I just put the Denso IK22's in mine and replaced the wires as well. The Denso's are single ground iridium plugs. I was concerned too, but the idle is buttery smooth and it runs fine. I didn't notice any improvement in mileage or anything, but I've only run one tank through it since I did the plugs, so time will tell.
 
When I bought this truck it was getting 14 mpg. When I changed the plugs the PO had 5 Bosch quads and one denso single ground plug. So putting the iridiums in gave an immediate improvement.
 
Does anyone have any experience with the e3 plugs, i bought them yesterday and im gonna try them out in my 3.4 just want to know if anyone has experience with them.
 
MattRagle said:
Does anyone have any experience with the e3 plugs, i bought them yesterday and im gonna try them out in my 3.4 just want to know if anyone has experience with them.
Click to expand...
Never used them but I'm curious to hear what you think after running them. So come back and let us know after a few weeks.
 
Gerdo said:
MUST use dual electrode spark plugs. NGK or Denso, either are fine.
Single electrode will wear out fast and cause problems.
Click to expand...

Gerdo,

The single electrode plugs will not wear out quicker if they have a platinum ground electrode. Back when these engines were designed the dual electrode was the only way to get more than 10,000 miles from a set of plugs because of the wasted spark system. The reverse spark would quickly eat away at the ground electrode. Today with iridium and platinum plugs where the ground has a platinum tip, the spark will not erode the ground anymore. The important aspect of spark plugs is to maintain the specified gap. You may not get 20hp from iridium plugs, you also won't have to change them every 30,000 miles either. These fancy plugs as mentioned above were designed to get cars to 100,000 miles without a tune up. Considering we no longer have points and distributors and everything is now computer controlled, the plugs were the last item that needed longevity. So if you are referring to copper plugs then yes, MUST use dual electrodes applies. If you have a platinum ground, that does not apply.

Personally I'd rather not pull plugs every 30,000 miles. To each his own. I routinely change them out at around 60,000 just because it gives me a chance to see how the engine is running. That said, my 2001 IS300 still has the original platinum plugs in it at 130,000 miles and it is still as smooth as day one. It also has the wasted spark system. So I kinda know what I'm talking about.

Denso has an interesting plug called the TT. It has twin tips so the ground electrode does not block the spark and it's platinum on both sides. I put a set in my wife's minivan and they ran great but I just traded it in so I have no way to know how long they will run. The beauty of it, they cost only $2.20 each and if you buy it at advance auto parts using code p20 and pick up at a local store, they are less tha $2 each for a high quality plug.

hqdefault.jpg


Denso website:
In DENSO's Platinum TT spark plug, the TT stands for Twin-Tip. It's one step beyond traditional platinum plugs, with premium materials on both electrodes instead of only one. The 1.1mm platinum center electrode is augmented by a titanium-enhanced ground electrode, delivering maximum ignition energy under the fiercest conditions an engine's combustion chamber can dish out. Along with the materials, the design is unique as well: The ground electrode's free-standing firing pad reduces quenching to generate a more powerful spark. The Platinum TT is designed to offer superior consumer value, along with faster starts and improved economy. DENSO's objectives: Top Performance, Total Value.

Denso TT Video captioned in English but audio is in Russian

EDIT: 6/23/2012 I figured I'd give these TT plugs a try. I bought a new set to replace the NGK iridiums I installed when I first bought the truck. Initial results, the seat of the pants feel: seems to be an improvement in acceleration. It is smoother under load and idles nice. My mpg was averaging 17 mpg, all in town driving with the iridiums for the past 3000 miles. I will update this after a few tanks of gas.

Just a quick note on the iridiums I pulled out. They looked great after 3000 miles. The ceramic was pure white like the day I installed them. After 160,000 miles, this motor is still running great. There was no sign of erosion. Does anyone know the direction the spark travels for the left and right banks?

#3 plug NGK Iridium IX (all odd number cylinders looked like this)
ry%3D400


#2 plug NGK Iridium IX (all even number cylinders looked like this)
ry%3D400
 
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I would only go with OEM recommended plugs as well...regular dual electrode Denso or NGK. A few members here have had problems with their engines running rough after installing fancy plugs.

I admit, when my parents owned the 4Runner they never changed the plugs. I just changed them only a few months ago for the very first time. After installing the new Denso plugs I didn't feel any difference in performance so I think the old plugs were still useable, though visibly worn, even after 14 years and 71k miles of driving. But then again, I'm not exactly an expert with the technical details about spark plugs.

A pic of the old set:

IMG_3789.jpg~original
 
96743runner said:
IMG_3789.jpg~original
Click to expand...

What are the chances that once those ground electrodes wear down like that, that the spark will jump to the piston top instead? That can't be good for the engine.

That is probably why Toyota wants them changed at 30,000 miles.
 
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This is interesting coming right from the horses mouth. To all that say you must have dual ground plugs, think again. Watch the video at the very bottom.

Gapping platinum plugs per NGK.com
"In most cases the factory set gap should conform to your vehicle specifications. However if it is necessary to widen the gap, do so with a tool that only pulls back on the ground electrode without touching the center electrode or the porcelain. To close the gap on a plug, gently tap the plug, electrode first on a hard surface."

Source:
http://www.ngk.com/glossary.asp?kw=Proper+Gapping

Per Denso
"Generally, no. The DENSO Iridium Power plug comes pre-set with a protective sleeve over the firing end, to protect the gap from accidental alteration. DENSO Iridium Power?s ultra-efficient firing power compensates for normally recommended gap settings that are smaller than the pre-set value. In the cases of vehicle modifications (nitrous, turbo-chargers, super-chargers, high power ignition systems, etc.), some adjustments may be desired. Or, if you prefer to remain consistent with factory specifications, you may adjust. However, please be careful not to place any stress on the fine center electrode during adjustment. You could accidentally break off the very hard, and therefore brittle, tip."

http://www.densoiridium.com/faq.php

I thought these Two videos were interesting on multi ground plugs vs new iridium plugs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS4MV2pELyU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Multi-Ground Electrode spark plugs from NGK Spark Plugs
 
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