Plugs for Toyota ....

NewGuy · Oct 7, 2006

Does anyone have experience replacing the spark plugs in a Toyota 4.7L engine? We bought a used 2002 Sequoia for my wife and I am not sure that the plugs have ever been replaced. I am going to pull one tomorrow and check them out. I can't decide whether to use NGK or DENSO (platinum, iridium or copper). Any thoughts, experiences or suggestions?

Thanks.

Quest · Oct 7, 2006

IMHO you can't go wrong with Denso or NGK platinum plugs for reliability, and/or NGK/Denso iridium plugs for a little bit of added performance.

Dark Jedi · Oct 7, 2006

if you dont want to spend alot for plugs. then get NGK plugs. must say best bang for the buck. I have NGK V-power (copper) in my dakota 4.7 V-8. truck never ran so smooth in the 3 years I have owned it. best $23 I ever spent. I have had campions and autolite. in my opinion they are ________ compared to NGK.

see what toyo reccomends for plugs.I know dodge 4.7 calls for copper plugs and have talked to some peopel that says the plat dont seem to run as good. but at the same time talked to other people that said plat runs the best.

if you plan to mod your engine I would say go with iridium. but if your going to keep it stock. then jsut go with what they call for either copper or plats.

DakAttack · Oct 7, 2006

I would recommend Champion's Truck Plug
http://www.sparkplugs.com/sparkplug411.asp?kw=Truck+Plug&mfid=0
Champion's Truck Plug was designed specifically for pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Features include a black glazed, zirconia-enhanced ceramic insulator, which offers 40% more strength than other spark plugs. This provides durability under rough driving conditions. The massive copper cored center and ground electrodes are 20% larger than ordinary spark plugs. This design allows the plug to thrive in the rough environments of trucks and sport utility vehicles. Tests have shown substantial increase in electrode life over standard designs in truck engines.

http://www.federal-mogul.com/en/Aftermar...tive/TruckPlug/
Federal-Mogul designs Champion Truck Plug spark plugs specifically for the severe demands that pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles place on spark plugs. The massive center and ground electrodes are 20 percent larger than ordinary spark plugs, providing high conductivity between the gap and more dependable performance than ordinary spark plugs.

In addition, we strengthen the plug with a zirconia-enhanced insulator that offers 40 percent more strength than other spark plugs. This provides durability and long life under severe and continuous driving conditions.

The electrodes on Champion Truck Plug spark plugs feature the exclusive Heat-Active™ alloy to reach operating temperatures quickly and maintain stable operating temperatures under varying engine loads.

Its what I've been using in my dakota an soo far no problems. Smoothed my rough idle out somewhat, but was to be expected switching to new plugs.

NewGuy · Oct 7, 2006

Thanks for the advice. It seems that Toyota went to platinum Denso/NGK in 2004. My 2002 book calls for Denso K20R-U or NGK BKR6EYA (both copper). I pulled a plug today and it was a Denso K20R-U. It still looked great, so I am not going to change them now. I had a friend tell me that the coppers seem to run better in these engines. They are unbelievably easy to change....so I might put the coppers back in and change them more often.

Thanks again.

Eddie · Oct 7, 2006

I vote for coppers.

m2200b · Oct 8, 2006

What mileage - coppers are usally 20-30K plugs.

wantin150 · Oct 8, 2006

FWIW, I had copper in my 2004 Tacoma (2.4l) and they were flat out shot at 30K.

I replaced them with NGK Iridium IX and have had no issues. I have the same plugs in my 1.8l 2ZZ Matrix also.

NewGuy · Oct 8, 2006

The Sequoia has 77,000 miles on it now. I would assume that the previous owner had them replaced during their 60K maintenance cycle. The manual calls for plug replacement every 30K. I pulled a plug earlier today and it didn't appear excessively worn. I might switch to NGK copper for 20K and then switch to platinum or iridium when it gets near 100K.

JohnBrowning · Oct 8, 2006

I belive they come with Iridums. If so the dealership is usualy $1-$3 cheaper for Iridiums then AUtoZOne and the like!

Hirev · Oct 8, 2006

Hint, go with what your local Toyota dealer sells. I've always had the best luck by far buying OEM plugs thru Toyota dealerships. Aftermarket plugs for Toyotas never seemed to last as long as what you get over the counter from Toyota. Just my experience from driving Toyotas many years. Toyota uses ND or NGK depending on the application. Both are very high quality.

Stooge · Oct 9, 2006

Quote:

I belive they come with Iridums. If so the dealership is usualy $1-$3 cheaper for Iridiums then AUtoZOne and the like!

No they don't, but the Stealership will insist that they should be replaced by the $12 plugs. The service manual says change the plugs at 30K. It would say at 100k with factory installed iridiums. I had this same conversation with the Stealership on my 2001 Tundra and 2002 Sequoia - all come from the factory with normal copper plugs.

NewGuy · Oct 9, 2006

This 2002 model came with copper Denso plugs. I checked with the Dealership and they suggested replacing with $14.99 Denso Iridiums. The total cost for the dealership to replace 8 plugs (plugs + labor) was $199. I think that I will replace them myself.

I bought 8 NGK coppers (per the manual) and will install them this time. I will replace at 100K with NGK platinum or iridiums.

Question: Are iridiums better than platinum because they perform better or because they last longer? The price for NGK iridium plugs are the same as platinum plugs. It seems that the Sequoia now comes with platinums from the factory. I wonder why Toyota didn't switch to Iridiums?

mburnickas · Oct 9, 2006

Quote:

Question: Are iridiums better than platinum because they perform better or because they last longer? The price for NGK iridium plugs are the same as platinum plugs. It seems that the Sequoia now comes with platinums from the factory. I wonder why Toyota didn't switch to Iridiums?

No clue but I pay 11 each and they last 60K miles. NGK or Denso are fine.

thanks
Mike

ITSMR2U · Oct 10, 2006

Quote:

Question: Are iridiums better than platinum because they perform better or because they last longer? The price for NGK iridium plugs are the same as platinum plugs. It seems that the Sequoia now comes with platinums from the factory. I wonder why Toyota didn't switch to Iridiums?

Iridium has a higher melting temp than platinum and the center electrode wire can be smaller in diameter. Electrons will concentrate on a point and the iridiums will fire more easily and at a larger gap than copper or even platinum. If you have coil on plug ignition, I'd strongly suggest iridiums.

Dark Jedi · Oct 10, 2006

I would love to run iridium plugs but I cant see paying that amount beings I have a V-8. if I run a supercharger I will prob go with irdiums. but untill then. coppers run just fine for my truck and they last 30k miles. plus I dont mind working on my truck. gets me away from my wife =-Þ

mburnickas · Oct 10, 2006

Quote:

I would love to run iridium plugs but I cant see paying that amount beings I have a V-8. if I run a supercharger I will prob go with irdiums. but untill then. coppers run just fine for my truck and they last 30k miles. plus I dont mind working on my truck. gets me away from my wife =-Þ

Got a point. I have the iridium but I think next time normal NGK or Denso are going in. I think either one only last 60K max.

Thanks
Mike

Plugs for Toyota ....

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