IRIDIUM SPARK PLUGS CAMRY
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I was surprised to read that the IX iridium plugs have a service life of 60,000km whereas the platinums are 100,000km. The 0.8mm iridiums are rated as 160,000km. NGK Spark Plugs
[ May 13, 2005, 08:57 PM: Message edited by: theguru ]
[ May 13, 2005, 08:57 PM: Message edited by: theguru ]
I couldn't find these recommendations on either the NGK.com.au or the NGK.com websites. Finally looked at the ngksparkplugs.com and found it. The plug I quoted is the OEM premium plug. And I agree, the list above does not give recommendation as to the best sparkplug, just what will fit.
It will be interesting to see if the iridiums work better in his car as the oem double ground plugs are used in special applications. Can't say that they were much different in mine. Probably get the same effect by putting new plugs in anyway. I would suggest that unless the leads are in very good condition that these should be changed as well.
[ May 13, 2005, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: theguru ]
The newer 5SFEs use 1 ignition coil for 2 spark plugs, i.e. waste spark. Therefore, as the above website explains, one sparkplug is fired conventionally (center to side) while the other sparkplug is fired unconventionally (side to center). The sparkplug which is fired unconventionally will have the ground electrode wear quicker, hence the need for twin ground. Furthermore, with waste spark, the sparkplug is firing twice as many times as one without waste spark. The current toyota 2AZFE camry engine no longer uses waste spark and has individual ignition coils for each sparkplug and uses VVTi to reburn some exhaust gases before discharge, hence they can use normal sparkplugs with single ground including the irdium sparkplugs with single ground, e.g. Denso IK20. The older 5SFE use a conventional distributor with no waste spark, and therefore can use conventional plugs and the IK20 too. I suspect many sparkplug manufacturers do not know there is a difference between the older 5SFE and the newer 5SFE, and hence recommend the wrong plugs for the newer 5SFE. This website shows that the Denso Iridium Power IK20 is normally good for only 15,000 ~ 20,000km. Put that in a waste spark engine which fires twice as much, it may only be good for 7,500 ~ 10,000km. Furthermore, the IK20's ground electrode with the u-groove may not be suitable for unconventional firing.
Similar thing is happening in this thread Have I bought the wrong plug?
I agree with you Ken4, I could see that the motor in Toyota18's Camry needed a special plug and that their was no recommendation for an iridium. Now we know why!
I wonder if Toyota18's motor has the same plaque on it as yours?
I agree with you Ken4, I could see that the motor in Toyota18's Camry needed a special plug and that their was no recommendation for an iridium. Now we know why!
I wonder if Toyota18's motor has the same plaque on it as yours?
Assuming they are both exactly the same wouldn't the Toyota 2.2 litre produce more power per litre? Other factors are probably related to state of tune, lean burn, emission controls etc. Your engine is post 97 (2001). The VN is what year? Totally different criteria. Even my VS runs quite different to a VN. Holden are hardly renowned for their hi-tech motors. japanese V6 have been way ahead of the GMH motors for some time. even the new V6 isn't that great.
Hi.
VN-VY V6 waste spark ignition.New VZ V6 coil on plug.VN to VY waste spark ignition with single groung plugs.Most of hyundai's having waste spark ignition systems Ex; 1996 to 2000 excel's 2001 to 2005 accent's,All elantras from 1995.XG model,V6 Sonata.all these cars using single ground spark plugs but why only toyota is different?
VN-VY V6 waste spark ignition.New VZ V6 coil on plug.VN to VY waste spark ignition with single groung plugs.Most of hyundai's having waste spark ignition systems Ex; 1996 to 2000 excel's 2001 to 2005 accent's,All elantras from 1995.XG model,V6 Sonata.all these cars using single ground spark plugs but why only toyota is different?
Hi Ken.
if waste spark redusing the spark plug life then what about the Hyundai Excel,Accent,Sonata,Santa Fe,L4 and V6 waste spark ignition systems GM 3.8L V6 (1985-2004) still with single ground plugs and 45000km change interval? Even at 45000km still looks good.I am not saying you are wrong but there is some thing we dont know.Even the same engine in japan using IK20 iridium plugs.
if waste spark redusing the spark plug life then what about the Hyundai Excel,Accent,Sonata,Santa Fe,L4 and V6 waste spark ignition systems GM 3.8L V6 (1985-2004) still with single ground plugs and 45000km change interval? Even at 45000km still looks good.I am not saying you are wrong but there is some thing we dont know.Even the same engine in japan using IK20 iridium plugs.
I dont think OEMs would factory fit IK20s, more likely longlife SK20s. SK20s can probably last 100,000km+, so in a waste spark ignition car it would still be good for at least 50,000km. Nowadays almost all new cars are going to some form of VVT, so waste spark is more or less obsolete. More ground electrodes does not mean more power, it means a longer lifespan. i.e. spark will find the path of least resistence, which means the ground electrode closest to the center, after that side has worn it will find the next ground electrode closest to the center. Theoretically, 4 grounds would have the longest lifespan. If your motor has good combustion efficiency, I dont think an IK20 will make any improvement in power. If you are so keen on trying, why dont you give the IK20 a try? I dont think it would hurt anything. Let us know whether you see any improvement in power or mpg. Also try reducing the spark gap a little, maybe 1.0mm instead of 1.1mm. Smaller gaps mean you are advancing the timing a little. i.e. maybe more power.
Also make sure the sparkplugs are tightened well, so you dont get any loss in compression. I know you are an expert auto electrical technician, so maybe you can find a way to re-adjust the ECU with a scan tool or piggy-back? I know that if you can adjust spark duration (dwell angle), you would also improve power. Good luck!
I've used the Autolite single platinum plugs in a 4-cyl Accord and a Ford Ranger V6. They ran great w/ very smooth idle. A bargain at Walmart also.
good luck
NGK or Denso are both excellent choices, the OEM platinum plugs you can never go wrong with, and the NGK iridiums available OTC are also good.
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