The Best Spark Plug

I'm with you. As many a logical man has said before; a spark plug is a spark plug is a spark is a spark plug is a spark plug.....

Yes and no.

There is something to be said about the platinum and iridium plugs over copper but having 2, 3 and 4 electrodes? Completely unnecessary, IMO, and if an engine "needs" that in order to run properly then there is another problem elsewhere.
 
Yes and no.

There is something to be said about the platinum and iridium plugs over copper but having 2, 3 and 4 electrodes? Completely unnecessary, IMO, and if an engine "needs" that in order to run properly then there is another problem elsewhere.

I know what you mean. The "need" for the equivalent of a solid gold spark plug is definitely demonstrating the effectiveness of the placebo theory. But unless it's a low quality plug or not set to the proper specs, they all do the same thing; make gas go boom.
 
That sounds incredibly vague yet scary. Mr. Cowhampshire, what problems shall I expect?

(I have a cottage up in Ossipee, NH. I'm not hating on the state)

No offense taken...

Problem's I've seen is that after time you'll see performance degrade and stumble...plus hard starting. Granted this will happen with old NGK's...but it'll happen sooner with non-oem plugs.

Here in NH we have Sanel Brothers and Robins. Both local part stores that have maybe 20 stores each. They both carry quality parts. Have a complete line of NGK and Denso plugs (along with AC, Motorcraft and even Autolite).
Those two places are the only places I buy my auto parts at.
 
but having 2, 3 and 4 electrodes?

That's nothing but a marketing gimmick. Electricity takes the path of least resistance. Only ONE electrode is firing at ONE time. They don't/CAN'T fire at the same time.
 
This is not directed toward anyone in particular but if someone is certain the multiple electrodes are the cat's ass, tell them to check out surface-gap discharge plugs and prepare for their mind to be blown.
 
Never heard them used for anything but the Wankel engines.

They are used in race applications. Not sure how common they are though since they seem to be on the spendy side of things.

I was about to get some for my CBR after the engine was built then I found out it was going to be in the neighborhood of $200, IIRC.
 
part #'s

I just did a quick search for the Denso or NGK irridium plug part #'s for my 03 V8 4runner but can't find them. Autozone has a couple different plugs they say are correct, but I want to make sure I get the oem ones. Do I have to go to toyota for them?
 
If NGK or Denso don't list an Iridium plug for your vehicle..then Toyota won't have one.

Iridium plugs are only for longevity..NOTHING else. Same with Platinum...Only they don't last as long as Iridium.
 
iridium plugs

That's what I meant to say....Autozone lists several different iridium plugs. All NGK, but no Denso's. I just want to make sure I get the same ones that are in there now.
 
Swapped out the plugs in my '06 V6 today and was a little surprised to see that they were original, i.e. I had one bank of NGK and one of Denso. I went with the Denso Iridiums which I was able to get online for $10 each. I applied anti-seize to each of the new plugs before I installed them and also used dielectric grease where the boot contacts the plug and where the ignition wire plugs into the boot...can't hurt, right?

Anyway, I noticed a small amount of oil on the threads of one of the plugs, specifically the aft-most plug on the driver's side (#6?). In addition to the oil (not even sure it was oil, to be honest), the threads were noticeably darker than those on the other plugs. I've included a picture of five of the plugs. Where is the sixth plug? It's down in the skid plate where it ended up after I dropped it. I'll get it next time I change the oil. :happens:

SparkPlugsandOtherStuff046.jpg~original


Does anyone think this is indicative of something sinister?
 
Denso's are the better plug as they are OEM. NGKs "work".

Actually NGK's are an OEM plug also. My 4runner came with one side Denso and the other NGK. They both have been OEM plug maker for Toyota for decades. I've been using NGK's since the early 80's without a problem what-so-ever.

Back in the 80's Denso was called Nippendenso. I had problems with their plugs back then. They worked fine..but the resistor on them was poor and would always get engine noise on the radio. Don't have that problem now.
 
Actually NGK's are an OEM plug also. My 4runner came with one side Denso and the other NGK. They both have been OEM plug maker for Toyota for decades. I've been using NGK's since the early 80's without a problem what-so-ever.

Back in the 80's Denso was called Nippendenso. I had problems with their plugs back then. They worked fine..but the resistor on them was poor and would always get engine noise on the radio. Don't have that problem now.

The entire ignition system on the V8 is Denso electronics. I'll stick with Denso as that is what comes from the factory on the V8's on all cylinders.
 
I can't believe this, but I accidentally ordered 1 spark plug. That's right, ONE FREAKIN SPARK PLUG. When I opened the package to find my ONE Denso IK20, my first thought was "WHERE ARE THE REST?" I guess tonight's activity won't be changing spark plugs.

{sheepishly orders 7 more. . .}
 

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