What a difference changing spark plugs makes!

[JeffKeryk]

I recently serviced a somewhat neglected 2003 Dodge Dakota V6. 200K miles; running kinda rough...
This engine is not to be confused with a silky smooth V6 found in many cars today...
A week after the oil change, I replaced the plugs. The existing plugs were NGK, which is a great plug.
They were not worn; I am pretty sure a shop did the prior install.
I replaced them with the stock cheapo copper Champions.

What. A. Difference.
FYI - If anyone told me changing to the same spec but different brand (especially from NGK) would make a big difference, I would never believe them.
Probably do cap, rotor and wires next.

 

[john_pifer]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: john_pifer

Went with Denso plugs, as, back in 2012, the truck had Denso on one side and NGK on the other from the factory (apparently this is pretty standard practice for Toyota). The electrodes on the Denso plugs looked more substantial to my eyes than the NGK after being in for around 90K. But, then, it's possible that the NGK are thinner originally. I'd have to compare new ones side by side to see, for sure.


Toyota did this with waste spark engines. They did it because they could put platinum or iridium on one set of electrodes and platinum or iridium on the other set of electrodes. That is often why original Toyota spark plugs look different from replacement plugs.


Except that my 2007 Tacoma (1GR-FE V6) doesn't use waste spark ignition. The last year Taco that had waste spark ignition was 2004.

 

[SHOZ]

Here's is a close up of some Denso TTs I took out of my Gen Coupe 2L turbo. 87k miles. They had been cleaned and regapped in the past. Cleaning was a toothbrush and some spray cleaner. These are the OEM plugs