Prius V spark plugs, 15 years and 126k miles

[PandaBear]

Denso OEM iridium that came with the car from factory. Probably a Laser Iridium.

Overall every plug looks clean and still has life left. The center electrodes look shiny on one side and no deposits. I think wear condition is about the same as some 60k miles platinum I see on my other cars. Nothing was wrong with them just refreshing with NGK Ruthenium, probably will last till the end of life or 120-150k again.

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

I hope the plugs in my Honda last that long. I would be 85 by then. I may never have to change plugs again.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Looks good

 

[TCL]

Put them back in.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

I hope the plugs in my Honda last that long. I would be 85 by then. I may never have to change plugs again.

Recently, changed the plugs and coils on my Honda, and 2 Toyota's. Honda got NGK, Toyota's got Denso's. All were Iridium. I'm almost 60, & retired. The wife and daughter don't drive far to rack up mileage on the Toyota's. I'd say I'm done changing spark plugs on them. Now, it's just a few 4 stroke OPE's to change plugs on every few years. Been changing plugs since the 70's. I had enough of that -)

 

[JeffKeryk]

You got your $$ worth... Nice! Did they come out OK?

 

[Reloader59]

I'm sure the gap is outside of acceptable range.

 

[PandaBear]

You got your $$ worth... Nice! Did they come out OK?

Pretty easy to get out, the thread probably has a bit of small resistance and doesn't just "snap" loose like those 30k nickel steel "copper" plugs from the old days. As you can see there's some minor "rust" on the thread. For a $9 retail plug they are cheaper than "copper" plugs per mile as they lasted 120k miles without throwing any code.

I have to take apart a lot of things from the wiper arm to the cowl to get to it, that's about 3x more work than taking the plugs out from the head.

I'm sure the gap is outside of acceptable range.

They probably are, but in theory I can also bend the ground electrode a bit and put them back in again.

Put them back in.

I am not doing the work twice just in case they don't work (taking out the cowl and the wiper arms), so new plugs for now. I'll still keep them as spare in case something funny happen, for troubleshooting and rule out plugs problem.

 

[The Critic]

Should've left them in. The Spark Plugs would've probably outlasted the Head Gasket on this engine.

 

[Reloader59]

Pretty easy to get out, the thread probably has a bit of small resistance and doesn't just "snap" loose like those 30k nickel steel "copper" plugs from the old days. As you can see there's some minor "rust" on the thread. For a $9 retail plug they are cheaper than "copper" plugs per mile as they lasted 120k miles without throwing any code.

I have to take apart a lot of things from the wiper arm to the cowl to get to it, that's about 3x more work than taking the plugs out from the head.


They probably are, but in theory I can also bend the ground electrode a bit and put them back in again.


I am not doing the work twice just in case they don't work (taking out the cowl and the wiper arms), so new plugs for now. I'll still keep them as spare in case something funny happen, for troubleshooting and rule out plugs problem

Sure you can but the electrode has worn down. That wouldn't be ideal. The plugs aren't as efficient as they were before

 

[Aichiguy]

My oldest son has had a couple of these and in his attempt to maximize MPGs, he.changed plugs, along with the 12 V battery. He's achieving better than EPA numbers, so maybe its time to drop in some new ones and check the MPGs.

 

[Oliveoil2]

look good. Next change 250k.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

IMO, after 126K & 15 years I would have tossed them also, especially after all the work needed to gain access to them. I could change the plugs in my Honda & Toyota's in 30 minutes per car. Their sitting right on top of the engine. Just need to remove the stupid beauty cover's and coil pack's. Too easy. Alot different than you're Prius V. You did the right thing.

 

[CR94]

Toyota recommended a change interval of 150k miles in California in regular Prius with the same engine.