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Spark Plug Mix Up?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by 03coma, Jun 17, 2012.

  1. Jun 17, 2012 at 4:15 PM
    #1
    03coma

    03coma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok changed my plugs and wires today on my 03 Taco with 3.4L, straingest thing.
    The 3 plugs (cylinder 5, 3, 1) were NGK R BKR5EKB (pass. side) the other 3 plugs, (cylinder 6,4,2) were Denso T16TR11 (drivers side)

    Why would Toyota use 2 different brand plugs? they were the oem plugs installed by the factory, this is the first time changing them. I purchased the truck new with 3 miles on it back in 2003.
     
  2. Jun 17, 2012 at 4:28 PM
    #2
    Highland Logan

    Highland Logan UBIQUE

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    Best answer I have seen on the Toyota plug discrepancy.

    Frank
     
  3. Jun 17, 2012 at 4:33 PM
    #3
    worthywads

    worthywads Well-Known Member

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    Does that mean this is the first time those plugs have been changed?
     
  4. Jun 17, 2012 at 4:35 PM
    #4
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    I think it's even simpler than that.

    Toyota likely has purchase contracts with both NGK and ND.
    In order to avoid running over on one contract and have a surplus on the other, thus, pissing off the manufacturer, they simply load the assembly line with both plugs for the "V" engines.

    My '03 Tundra 4.7 was the same.

    If it were a resistance issue, they would be more likely to include that compensation in the coil packs, and mold the hold-down lugs so the packs are left/right specific.
     
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  5. Jun 17, 2012 at 4:35 PM
    #5
    03coma

    03coma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thats funny, went to the Toyota parts dept, my friend looked up the vin and gave me the plugs that this truck calls for:
    Denso T16TR11
     
  6. Jun 17, 2012 at 4:36 PM
    #6
    TherealScuba

    TherealScuba Sober Member

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    Reading comprehension....
     
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  7. Jun 17, 2012 at 4:40 PM
    #7
    03coma

    03coma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    yes first time changing the plugs, truck just hit 50K
     
  8. Jun 17, 2012 at 4:42 PM
    #8
    worthywads

    worthywads Well-Known Member

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    Didn't read that far.

    I'm so ashamed. :p
     
  9. Jun 18, 2012 at 8:53 AM
    #9
    Brianz1001

    Brianz1001 Well-Known Member

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    that sounds like typical of Toyota, How did the truck run after changing the plugs and wires?
     
  10. Jun 18, 2012 at 10:36 AM
    #10
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Unless you're inside Toyota Corporate deep enough, I don't think the real reason will ever come to light as to why Toyota would have a competitors plug in one half of the motor.
     
  11. Jun 18, 2012 at 2:21 PM
    #11
    03coma

    03coma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Brianz truck runs great, just strange never ran into anything like that.
     
  12. Jul 6, 2012 at 11:44 PM
    #12
    TRDGRL

    TRDGRL My Toys.....

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    See Signature.....
    Both NGK and DENSO are considered ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT OE for TOYOTA'S.....So it's okay.....No worries about the 2 different types.....:D;):)
     
  13. Aug 7, 2021 at 9:26 AM
    #13
    Hosee02

    Hosee02 Member

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    So.....would you likewise use both NGK and Denso like factory or simply use 6 of either one but not both?
     
  14. Aug 7, 2021 at 9:29 AM
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    joeyv141

    joeyv141 Well-Known Member

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    For the heck of it someone should do a tune up with 1 plug from 6 different companies, just to screw with the future owner. Denso, NGK, Champion, Auto Lite, Bosch, Other.
     
  15. Aug 7, 2021 at 9:29 AM
    #15
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

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    Most people just use 6 of one brand. No need to replicate what Toyota did with 3 of one and 3 of the other
     
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  16. Aug 7, 2021 at 9:31 AM
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    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    Whatever makes you happy. The plugs are functionally identical. If it mattered, the manual would tell you where to put each brand.

    just make sure to use the part numbers specified in your manual, that is what matters
     
  17. Aug 7, 2021 at 9:36 AM
    #17
    ROAD DOG

    ROAD DOG Well-Known Member

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    with individual coil paks it makes no difference at all

    spark plugs are not that critcal.................not as much as ‘ Marketing‘ would

    have j q public believe

    there are probably a dozen plugs that would work just as well with no issues

    that some would last longer ......... no doubt

    that some would fire better in certain loads or at certain rpms.........likely

    most would not notice
     
  18. Aug 7, 2021 at 11:25 AM
    #18
    DonHo

    DonHo Member

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    So, misread that plugs were good for 100,000 miles in my 2006 v6...And here is what they looked like. Denso on left, NGK on right. The Denso's were around .048 gap, while the NGK's were around .068 gap.

    DSC_0909.jpg
     
  19. Aug 7, 2021 at 11:35 AM
    #19
    Shelf Life

    Shelf Life Well-Known Member

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    I've run both brands, and found the Denso's hold up better. That's my go to copper plug now.
     
  20. Aug 7, 2021 at 1:43 PM
    #20
    DonHo

    DonHo Member

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    From my unintentional testing, I'd say you made the correct choice.
     

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