2015 Taco spark plug confusion???

Interesting...must be a driving style thing. I don't feel like I drive like a grandpa, but maybe I do. My driving split is about 50/50 highway and in town. I've never really paid attention to my plug gaps when pulling the old plugs except a quick glance to make sure everything looks reasonable, so unfortunately I don't have any other data. I'll pay attention from now on purely out of curiosity. To me, it sounds excessive for the plug gaps to open up that much, but it says it plain as day on NGK's website.

 

I was pleasantly surprised at how much nicer that spark plug socket worked than any of my others. I have accumulated a fair number of random spark plug related tools over the years for various cars, but I didn't have anything like this one. It worked great for my Tacoma. I liked the magnet better than I thought I would...I've had instances in the past where the rubber boot has come out of the socket, which led to me fishing it out from around the spark plug accompanied by a few choice words.

 

What socket did you use?

My current socket has part of a ford ignition coil wire and the plug jammed super tight in it.
Might as well just pick up another one.

 

So you can get the standard copper plugs, change every 30k, the iridium plugs which aren’t recommended for the 4.0, but there is also a platinum oem plug for the 4.0 which is good for 60k

 

This one:

$16 GEARWRENCH 3/8" Drive 6 Pt. 5/8" x 6" Magnetic Swivel Spark Plug Socket - 80546

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014ZVSVK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon Prime is going to be the death of my bank account.

 

I can't! I thought I had read an article on it but my memory has failed me. I've been using that line for years too. ugh. Thanks for setting the record straight.

 

I love your enthusiasm bro! But your over thinking this. The slight discoloration on 6, usually a little on 5 too, is from excess heat. 5 and 6 are up near the firewall and that section of the engine tends to get a little hotter than the front of the engine. That also effects the fuel injectors on 5 and 6, which can cause a little leaking or sticking. Different coloration is from running slightly hotter and/or slight variations in fuel from injector. On trucks run hard, it's more noticeable. It's nothing to worry about, what your seeing is very mild. Looks really good actually!!! Too good, almost like your letting a good Tacoma go to waste, lol! Quit worrying and go have some fun and puts some miles on her.

 

There are very few people saying not to get iridiums. There is a lot of info in this thread that can be difficult to sift through. I would never recommend a Platinum plug just because there little price difference between platinum and iridium with no benefit. Spark plug companies haven't put any money or research into Platinum technology as it is old technology that has been far surpassed.

As a previous Toyota Certified Tech (with ASEs) 10+ years of auto experience, 15 years as an Aircraft Tech and a handful of close friends that are 15+ year auto techs (one is a highly respected advanced diagnostic tech with 20+ years) there is absolutely zero problems or risk with using Iridium plugs! Period.

Edit: IF the gap is checked, use EXTREME CAUTION with Iridium plugs. I have rarely ever gaped an Iridium plug. If it is close to the manufacture recommended specification there is no need to take any risks in adjusting it. Think logically here, the vehicle accounts for quite a bit of wear (opening of the gap) on the spark plugs. So if it is within .05" (1.27mm) there is no issue. I understand some people are specific to an obscene amount, but knowing it is safe vs the risk of damaging a new part isn't worth it IMO.

 

But worrying is what I do best.

I think most of my concern was that I hadn't tightened it properly a couple of years ago when I installed the last batch...the truck obviously still ran fine for nearly 3 years, or I would have noticed it and done some investigating. I just don't like it when the quality of my work isn't up to par with what it should be.

 

Found the answer to this one (since I now have 4Runner wheels on my Tacoma):

 

Meanwhile the professional mechanics would give them 3 ugga-duggas, hopefully with the yellow torque stick instead of the blue one.

By professional I mean doing it fast enough to beat the book time and earn a living.

 

Torque wrenches are for newbs.

 

Indeed, real mechanics run the plugs in with an impact

 

Hey it ain't crazy if it works.

 

Do you see him blowing out the plug wells or putting dielectric grease on the ignition coils? Ain't nobody getting paid for that!

 

The video won't play.

Edit: hang on. Just got it actually. Lol. Watching now.

 

I really don't see a problem here other than the use of anti seize on the plugs. I never saw him put dielectric grease on the coils either? He threaded in the plugs prior to using the low torque rated impact gun and he used his rachet to follow up torquing the plugs.

 

I’ve used anti seize on plugs since the early 90s with zero negative results.

 

No but really @Crosis if it has been working for you then that's great. I personally change out spark plugs more frequently then 30K and definitely do not wait until 90K so I really see no point in using it, but with that being said I don't use it on any application I swap plugs on.