Spark plugs, a cheap must do maintenence item

[07liftback]

So I recall reading in our forums that the spark plugs should be fine for over 100k miles and one need not worry about it. I finally got around to changing them as I've been having hard starts and lower mpg. The difference was dramatic, no more hard starts and much smoother acceleration. I have yet to measure the mpg and will report the results of mpg in a week or two. Next maintenance items will be both oxygen sensors, transmission flush, coolant flush, and fuel filter. Will report the results of each as I move along as far as mpg and how the car "feels"

[bronsin]

You could have regapped the plugs those gaps are pretty big.

On my motorcycles which I used mainly for long distance riding the plugs last 100,000k miles and they were regular plugs.

Consensus on this forum pretty much is transmission and coolant system flushes aren't necessary.

The fuel filter isn't considered a regular maintenance item by Toyota and my experience (20 years) with EFI is the ff only needs changing when a contamination event happens. The ones Ive changed were like new.

You might do the oxygen sensors. The ones on my cars never failed so I don't.
Not trying to start an argument just trying to save you time and $$$$.

Youre right to take the plugs out when the engine and mpg go south. But I would bet regapping the plugs would solve the problem.

How many miles on your car?

[Bluevitz-rs]

So you replaced your 100,000mile plugs for 20,000mile plugs?

[Kitt]

These are my spark plugs.. Acceleration was not smooth, changed them and the difference was huge! They did not lasted that much tho, I know my car has an oil leak so that could be the case

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h147/snakepitmaiden/AC3448A4-F972-4E33-AD60-B4D68FD86C20.jpg (http://s63.photobucket.com/user/snakepitmaiden/media/AC3448A4-F972-4E33-AD60-B4D68FD86C20.jpg.html)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h147/snakepitmaiden/DBCD76A8-AB0A-4F55-B858-2472D5C5C0CC.jpg (http://s63.photobucket.com/user/snakepitmaiden/media/DBCD76A8-AB0A-4F55-B858-2472D5C5C0CC.jpg.html)

[07liftback]

You could have regapped the plugs those gaps are pretty big.

On my motorcycles which I used mainly for long distance riding the plugs last 100,000k miles and they were regular plugs.

Consensus on this forum pretty much is transmission and coolant system flushes aren't necessary.

The fuel filter isn't considered a regular maintenance item by Toyota and my experience (20 years) with EFI is the ff only needs changing when a contamination event happens. The ones Ive changed were like new.

You might do the oxygen sensors. The ones on my cars never failed so I don't.
Not trying to start an argument just trying to save you time and $$$$.

Youre right to take the plugs out when the engine and mpg go south. But I would bet regapping the plugs would solve the problem.

How many miles on your car?

I'm at 105k miles currently. Just seems like we ignore most maintenance items on this forum. I mean the plugs cost $13 and took me around ten minutes to change. It looks like the plugs barely have anything left, I mean regapping them probably would've worked too but it still wouldn't spark as well as new plugs. Pretty sure the O2 sensors have also gotten lazy since my mpg has been going south for about a year or so.

So you replaced your 100,000mile plugs for 20,000mile plugs?

The OEM plugs are made by NGK so no, they aren't 20k plugs by any means. If I wanted a long lasting plug, I would've went for the nickel plugs by NGK but these copper core plugs create a better spark although they might only last 30k-60k. During that time, they'll probably save more gas and make up for the difference in quicker plug change intervals.

[07liftback]

These are my spark plugs.. Acceleration was not smooth, changed them and the difference was huge! They did not lasted that much tho, I know my car has an oil leak so that could be the case

How long did those plugs last you? What brand and model are those plugs? I ask because NGK plugs are oem for our cars.

[bronsin]

I'm at 105k miles currently. Just seems like we ignore most maintenance items on this forum. I mean the plugs cost $13 and took me around ten minutes to change. It looks like the plugs barely have anything left, I mean regapping them probably would've worked too but it still wouldn't spark as well as new plugs. Pretty sure the O2 sensors have also gotten lazy since my mpg has been going south for about a year or so.
.

I can understand why you might want to change plugs at 105k.

O2 sensor...I guess that's up to you. my experience is replacing parts which are working doesn't usually solve much...

Fuel filter....no....CT Scott has posted ff changes are not normally required also.

Good Luck!

[Kitt]

How long did those plugs last you? What brand and model are those plugs? I ask because NGK plugs are oem for our cars.

those were Denso, they lasted about 12k miles

[Rigaud]

Irridium plugs for 1nzfe engines. OEM.

[07liftback]

Irridium plugs for 1nzfe engines. OEM.

Didn't know, good info

[brushforhire]

We have seen aftermarket plugs cause alot of problems in Toyotas in general. We would get cars with miss issues all the time, and check the plugs and they were new a/m plugs. We would through OEM in and just like that, problems gone.

Our vehicles are very touchy about spark plugs.

[Kitt]

The ones I purchased at the dealer are Denso, same number/design that I would purchased somewere else. The only difference is that the ones I got from the dealer were inside a red box that says toyota genuine parts but the plug itself was branded denso. I tought they had more precise gap measure but no, aftermarket ones have the right gap as well.

[brushforhire]

As long as it was the same denso number on the cermic they are definitely the same plug. Like you said, OEM denso's just come in a red box. The issue is when people buy anything the auto part stores say will work.

[NYC-SE]

If those were Denso's and they only lasted 12K something else is going on with your engine. I know you mentioned an oil leak, is it an actual leak or is it oil consumption? If you are burning a significant amount of oil it could affect the plugs. Still 12k seems like a really short lifespan.

[Kitt]

correct, its actually oil consumption.

[07liftback]

Irridium plugs for 1nzfe engines. OEM.

The plugs I replaced were NGK bkr5egp which are G-power platinum plugs. So I'm guessing they weren't OEM since they weren't Iridium? The Iridium plugs sell for twice the price, anyone got any info on the difference between the two?

[tomm9050]

Best replacement plugs for an 08 HB?

[bairjo]

[quote=07liftback;768215] Just seems like we ignore most maintenance items on this forum.
quote]


What?

[tomm9050]

What is the OEM part number or Densu equivalent (08 HB)

[tomm9050]

Confirm this part number for the 08 HB? thanks!

Denso (3324) SK16R11 Iridium Spark Plug

What should these be gapped at?