Changed plugs today at 60k.

Changed the spark plugs in my 2011 4.0 today. Pretty sure they had never been changed. I bought the truck with 52k. Now at 60k. Pulled the plugs, they were all gapped out to about .055 or better. Still had NGKs on the driver side. You can tell in the pic (crappy pic I know) the 3 on the right were all NGK, and the left are denso. The ngks were much darker all around and the electrodes were more rounded. I put Denso back in it. Also, my dang air filter was FILTHY again! I just replaced it like 2 or 3 months ago, and ive really only been off road like once. I was quite surprised how bad it was. My old chevy has never been that bad in the whole 10 years ive had it . It must have something to do with where the air intake gets the air out of the fender, like the tire is really stirring up the dirt. anyone else had this experience?

 

I'm still weirded out about that half Denso half NGK thing. Seriously, does anyone know why?

My truck which I bought new is just nearing 30K. I briefly thought about doing plugs, then came to my senses. The truck is running better than it ever has. I'll let it go at least another 10K unless something changes.

 

Finally decided to check and replace my spark plugs since I the Taco, is at 170k miles. The plugs was NGK and Denso, wonder if that was the factory plugs Engine sounds better after tune up.

 

I keep reading the recommended interval for the 4.0 is 30k.. Being just regular copper plugs.. Seems I was a good bit overdue

 

Hopefully someone had replaced them (and hopefully several times) with OE spec plugs.

 

yeah I know they are different plugs, hence why I figured they had never been changed. I was referring to how quick my filter was nasty. Just put in a brand new one cuz the other was filthy a couple months ago. Now this one is already filthy after maybe 1500 miles. 1 trip offroad.

 

My truck had all Denso plugs when I replaced them. I bought the truck in 2015 used, according to the Tacoma Owners website the previous owner had them replaced at the dealership at around 36k. I put Denso plugs back in, based on most I have read on TW they seem to last longer than NGK.

 

If you buy your plugs from a dealer, they will give you all Densos. That is all I have run, and they work fine. The spec'd gap for these plugs is .039-.043. I always set mine at .040. By 30,000 miles they are about .045. Letting them go longer is not a good idea.

 

I just got mine at Advance. Gapped em all at .040. We'll see how she drives in the morning.

 

Is there a reason that they run ngk on driver side and denso on the passenger side ? I just changed mine tonight and thought it was strange

 

have ya noticed any better gas mileage?
bought my truck with 52k snd have 66 now going to have the plugs changed soooon

 

An often asked question, nobody has an official answer. Most seem to think it's a supply chain thing or a way of keeping both mfg types available. Nobody seems to really know, it's Toyota's version of KFCs 7 herbs and spices, corporate secret

 

Sounds about right . I still can't get over them wanting it done at 30,000 was surprised on what the gap looked like . My girlfriends old matrix had oh 150 when it lost a coil pack and decided to put plugs in her. did the differentials in the taco tonight also couldn't believe how nasty the oil was and really only sees minimal off rof ding.

 

I bought my truck a few months ago with 130k, decided to pull the plugs and they were denso/NGK! Very well worn .07-.08 gap.

 

Contracts with both companies. Old news.

 

hey tosd. I think you might be right. My question is why don't they put all ngk in one truck and all denso in another?

 

My shock was apparently they were never changed for 130k was my point. Still was running fine, but new plugs did make a noticeable difference.

 

I bet it was fun getting the old ones out. After 130k they were probably almost welded in there.

 

Scariest plug change ever!