So changed the spark plugs yesterday, found a prize.

So yesterday I change my spark plugs as part of my 60k service on my v6 2nd Gen. I recall reading that the driver side will have 3 NGK and the psgr have 3 denso from the factory. I purchased a set from the factory all Denso. As I take the plugs out I notice that they are still 3 NGK and 3 Denso, but when I stuck the magnet down to pull the plug out of one side, there was a metal ring, too small to fit down the plug, just barely goes over the tip... took a picture.. what do you guys think it's from? I checked the other coil packs didn't see anything similar in them.




Also since the plugs were still mismatched does that mean the previous owner did not do the 30k service?

Truck seems to run better/smoother now. Time will tell. But finding that ring is concerning.

 

IDK what the hell that ring is, thank god it didn't get into the engine! Unless the previous owner replaced the plugs with the same set up, it's probably safe to say yeah, those could be the originals

 

the spark plug in the pic all the way to the right.... the bottom looks different but cant really tell.

but i have no dam idea what that is. almost looks like something that is supposed to stay in the hole and not be removeable... but if it runs better then that doesnt make sence.... sorry kind of rambling on talking to my self lol but thats my thought

 

That ring looks like a heli coil

 

not a heli coil..

 

can i ever be right or first? just once? lol

 

thats a negative ghost rider

 

pshh, in that situation im first and last

HREW?

 

the ring was sitting with/on the spark plug, I pulled out the coil pack, loosened the plug, then stuck a magnet in to pull out the plug and got the plug + that ring.

 

Those spark plugs are the originals. Previous owner had not replaced them.
Could the extra ring have come from the socket used?

 

That's what I was thinking, but I swapped out 4 of the plugs prior to the one I found the ring in. The magnet was clean prior as I just used it on another plug prior, But who knows. At least the truck is running better now with fresh plugs.

 

Interesting. Definitely not a helicoil... lol. Best guess would be something from the socket like stated earlier. I don't remember the coil packs perfectly, but I don't remember anything like that on them. It would only make sense if it was from the socket used... it just fell off onto the plug.

Which reminds me, I'm about due to change mine out 60k on iridium densos is enough for me, don't want them to seize up. Going back to copper

 

Can Someone tell me why there are denso on one side and NGK on the other?!?!?! like wtf?

 

Pink fan shaft now this?!

 

Some deep spark plug sockets use a pressed-in centering device like this to keep the plug aligned so as not to crack the porcelain if it gets catywampus while torquing. They usually have a rubber-lined interior though. The vertical striations lead me to believe this was a press-fitted item.
I suspect this just fell out of the socket when removed.
Look inside your ratchet's deep socket and see if it might have been yours.

Whit

 

It is part of the contract between Toyota denso and ngk. How do you make sure you use equal amounts from both manufactures? You use three of each. They have been doing this since the 90's