03 Honda CRV - Recommendations for sparkplugs and plugwires?

[Carlostrece]

Does an 03 CRV EX have plug wires? I know that's a stupid sounding question, but I can't just go look under the hood because I'm unable to walk or stand and my mobility scooter is too low to see the engine. My caregiver wouldn't know a plugwire if it bit her. My cousin lives 30 miles away. So I'm asking BITOG.

If the 03 CRV EX has plug wires, what brand of plugwires do you recommend for replacement for K24 engine? I'm fond of NAPA's most premium plugwires for Jeep 4L and Buick 3800, but I don't know much about Honda K24.

As for spark plugs... I normally prefer platinum because they last longer than copper and have lower resistance (better conductivity) than iridium. So (at least for Jeep 4L and Buicks 3800) a platinum plug gives slightly better gas mileage and performance than iridium.

Also, platinum cost less iridium plugs and platinum last plenty long enough, especially for people who don't drive much. At least that's been my experience with Jeep 4L and Buick 3800.

So I assume platinum plugs would also be dandy for a Honda K24 engine. Am I correct?

Does brand of plug matter for Honda K24? I prefer Autolite platinum for Jeep 4L and Buick 3800, but I don't know if Autolite is good for Honda K24.

 

[burbguy82]

denso everything

 

[Nukeman7]

I will only use NGK plugs on Hondas since that is OEM and what the dealer sells. The 2003 CR-V uses NGK IZFR6K11 which is packaged as Stock #6994. These are the OEM Laser Iridium series, but you could also upgrade to the equivalent NGK Ruthenium version. Either plug is good for at least 100,000 miles.

DENSO plugs would be an acceptable secondary choice if NGK is not available.

The K24 engine is a coil-on-plug ignition, so there are no spark plug wires to replace.

 

[slo town]

You don't have plug wires on your CRV. You engine is a "coil on plug" design. Yes, it has wires attached to the coils, but the wires never need replacing so long as they didn't get damaged somehow.

I agree with @Nukeman7; use NGK #6994 plugs.

If - and I doubt it's necessary - but IF you replaced the coils I'd use Denso like @burbguy82 said.

Lastly, replacing the plugs (and coils) on this engine is as easy as it gets.

Scott

 

[Oliveoil2]

As above: all Denso….. or Dealer.

 

[Carlostrece]

If replacing plugs is easy, then my cousin will do it.

How difficult is it to check and adjust the valves? It's never been done. This CRV has 126K miles on it.

I'm assuming it needs to be done.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

NGK Laser Iridium, Denso Iridium Long Life, or Denso Iridium TT. All of them should be good for at least 100k.

Iridium has a finer electrode, so less voltage is required to fire it. The Denso Iridium TT price is competitive with platinum.

Your 2003 CRV does not have spark plug wires, as it is coil on plug

I will only use NGK plugs on Hondas since that is OEM and what the dealer sells. The 2003 CR-V uses NGK IZFR6K11 which is packaged as Stock #6994. These are the OEM Laser Iridium series, but you could also upgrade to the equivalent NGK Ruthenium version. Either plug is good for at least 100,000 miles.

DENSO plugs would be an acceptable secondary choice if NGK is not available.

The K24 engine is a coil-on-plug ignition, so there are no spark plug wires to replace.

Honda uses both Denso and NGK. In fact, the car might even have 2 Denso and 2 NGK installed from the factory

 

[Nukeman7]

Honda uses both Denso and NGK. In fact, the car might even have 2 Denso and 2 NGK installed from the factory

I've only seen the mixed plugs on a J35 V6 engine. As far as I know, all of the Honda packaged spark plugs sold at a dealership are NGKs, not DENSO. However, most Hondas come from the factory with DENSO manufactured oxygen/wide band fuel ratio sensors. Both companies are OE suppliers for Honda.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Extremly simple job with a good locking and/or magnetic sparkplug socket. NGK or Denso. Use what you like or is on sale. I like Denso TT for no real reason other than they are usually cheaper and perform just as well.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Honda uses both Denso and NGK. In fact, the car might even have 2 Denso and 2 NGK installed from the factory

Our beloved '06 TSX with the mighty K24 did just that; 2 NGKs and 2 Densos. Kinda cool...

 

[Nukeman7]

If replacing plugs is easy, then my cousin will do it.

How difficult is it to check and adjust the valves? It's never been done. This CRV has 126K miles on it.

I'm assuming it needs to be done.

Valve adjustment is not too complicated on the K24 engine, but you must be methodical and pay attention to detail. A new valve cover gasket set will be needed along with a set of proper sized feeler gauges (preferably angled like the A308 Offset Valve Feeler Gauges). You don't need the special tool, just a 10mm box end wrench will suffice. At >100K miles, it is overdue.

Eric The Car Guy has a good video on adjusting K24 valves on a Honda Element. The CR-V will be 99% the same process.

 

[slo town]

Valve adjustment is not too complicated on the K24 engine, but you must be methodical and pay attention to detail. A new valve cover gasket set will be needed along with a set of proper sized feeler gauges (preferably angled like the A308 Offset Valve Feeler Gauges). You don't need the special tool, just a 10mm box end wrench will suffice. At >100K miles, it is overdue.

Eric The Car Guy has a good video on adjusting K24 valves on a Honda Element. The CR-V will be 99% the same process.

This ^^^^.

Adjusting the valves isn't difficult but it takes finesse. I strongly believe it requires mechanical aptitude and some amount of automotive repair experience. If the cousin of @Carlostrece has never adjusted valves or has no experience beyond that of changing the oil or rotating tires, I suggest you pay someone to do it.

Scott

 

[Carlostrece]

This ^^^^.

Adjusting the valves isn't difficult but it takes finesse. I strongly believe it requires mechanical aptitude and some amount of automotive repair experience. If the cousin of @Carlostrece has never adjusted valves or has no experience beyond that of changing the oil or rotating tires, I suggest you pay someone to do it.

Scott

My cousin is not a professional, but he's tuned up many cars, regularly does basic maintenance, basic repairs, and basic upgrades/modifications. He's tuned up many GM/Chevy/Buick cars in the past. He also does some welding and fabrication.

I don't think he's ever adjusted valves on a car before though. His GM/Chevy van and truck, and my Buick don't need the valves to be manually adjusted.

His main limitations are not having a lift (needed for some jobs), we're new to Hondas, and we'vd never adjusted valves before. Also, for last 10 years I'm very physically hanicapped.

Adjusting Honda K24 valves sounds easy enough. I think like he can handle it, but I'll ask him. He can decide if he's up to it after I let him know what I've learned in this thread.

 

[slo town]

My cousin is not a professional, but he's tuned up many cars, regularly does basic maintenance, basic repairs, and basic upgrades/modifications. He's tuned up many GM/Chevy/Buick cars in the past.

I don't know if he's ever adjusted valves on a car before though. His GM/Chevy van and truck, and my Buick don't need the valves to be manually adjusted.

Our main limitation is we're both new to Hondas, and neither of us has ever adjusted valvles before.

It sounds easy enough. I think like he can handle it, but I'll let him decide if he thinks he's up to it after I let him know what I've learned in this thread.

I suggest you pay a professional familiar with Hondas. They are everywhere.

Properly maintained and respectfully treated K24 motors can last 400K miles without much difficulty. The thing with valve adjustments, if they are done improperly you can burn an exhaust valve, which would require pulling the head.

Scott

 

[iCurious]

Denso iridium are rated over 100k miles. As for the coils (it does not have spark plug wires), why do you need them replaced if they are not misfiring.

 

[Carlostrece]

Denso iridium are rated over 100k miles.

OK, but this CRV will never drive more than another 50K miles at most. My neighbor/ caregiver only drives short trips locally 2 days a week.

As for the coils (it does not have spark plug wires), why do you need them replaced if they are not misfiring.

I don't need to replace the coils.