Check engine light.

paetersen · Jul 22, 2020

We're talking about 2 different things. The body of the plug, which has the threads on it and the side electrode, is steel. That part of the plug is the same regardless of whether it's copper, iridium, etc. It gets coated with nothing other than nickel to stop corrosion. A copper, or iridium, or platinum plug has the same thread body, made of the same steel, and the same chance of seizing in a head as all other plugs. Actually, the chance increases exponetially with iridium and platinum ONLY because of the extended service interval. Ford actually has an official broken spark plug extractor tool because of this problem, and a book time on some V8 spark plug changes approaching 8 hours.

The center electrode on ALL plugs is nickel plated copper. Iridium or platinum plugs will then either have a *tiny* disc of said metal bonded to the tip of the nickel plated copper center core only, or to the tip of the core *and* the underside of the side electrode.

Yes, platinum or iridium plugs, especially the ones with a bonded tip on both electrodes, will not visibly wear (increase spark gap) for an incredibly long time. But, from my 25+ years as an auto mechanic, they can "fail" much sooner than 100k in other ways. Usually it is through leakage at the base of the ceramic insulator- you will see a brown ring at the base of the white insulator. That is combustion leaking through the plug.

You do you, but I will continue to regap my copper plugs at 15k, and replace them at 30k.

Black DOG Lila · Jul 22, 2020

@paetersen
Did you hear the one about the certified master tech who put his own truck on dealer lift for oil change and lube.
His taco folded in half and he was fired on the spot.
BTW I left andoff my post.
I heard there is now a nasal spray for Old timers disease.
I'm on my way to Walgreens now.
Should I pick up two?

Danny070 · Jul 22, 2020

paetersen said: ↑

We're talking about 2 different things. The body of the plug, which has the threads on it and the side electrode, is steel. That part of the plug is the same regardless of whether it's copper, iridium, etc. It gets coated with nothing other than nickel to stop corrosion. A copper, or iridium, or platinum plug has the same thread body, made of the same steel, and the same chance of seizing in a head as all other plugs. Actually, the chance increases exponetially with iridium and platinum ONLY because of the extended service interval. Ford actually has an official broken spark plug extractor tool because of this problem, and a book time on some V8 spark plug changes approaching 8 hours.

The center electrode on ALL plugs is nickel plated copper. Iridium or platinum plugs will then either have a *tiny* disc of said metal bonded to the tip of the nickel plated copper center core only, or to the tip of the core *and* the underside of the side electrode.

Yes, platinum or iridium plugs, especially the ones with a bonded tip on both electrodes, will not visibly wear (increase spark gap) for an incredibly long time. But, from my 25+ years as an auto mechanic, they can "fail" much sooner than 100k in other ways. Usually it is through leakage at the base of the ceramic insulator- you will see a brown ring at the base of the white insulator. That is combustion leaking through the plug.

You do you, but I will continue to regap my copper plugs at 15k, and replace them at 30k.
Click to expand...

Sounds like we had the same MasterMechanic, CoWorker/Instructor many years ago! Agree Oil has always been an effective AntiSeize for SparkPlugs. Thanks for sharing your insight & expertise!

Danny070 · Jul 22, 2020

Black DOG Lila said: ↑

@Danny070
The 3rz is a bored over 2.4L which calls for Noble metal spark plugs to prevent seize in aluminum head.
The 1.9L 2.2L 2.4L and 3.4 tolerate less Noble metal (copper) much better than the 2.7L.
Spending $10 on a pack of 4 NAPA spark plugs that may seize after 30k mi.isn't my idea of good sense.
I've gone over 100,000 mi on Denso Platinum duals with no performance loss. And please do not suggest antiseize because Platinums don't need or recommend it. TY
RANT over
Carry on.
Click to expand...

Yes.. I think it would be possible to get 100k out of some sparkplugs with regular maintenance intervals. Thanks BlackDogLila for Insight on this matter

Danny070 · Jul 22, 2020

paetersen said: ↑

regardless of what metal the electrode is made of the body of all plugs is still good old steel and electrode material has nothing to do with whether a spark plug seizes in a head. There is *nothing* special about the aluminium head of a 3rz, and using copper spark plugs will actually give you hotter spark, because copper is a better conductor than platinum or iridium. Platinum and iridium plugs *only* benefit is that they last longer.

In fact, the only metal that has greater electrical conductivity than copper is pure silver, which is very expensive and very soft but would make an extremely efficient spark plug, for about 10 minutes.

If you're worried about seizing, just RTFM and put a dab of engine oil on the threads *like all spark plug manufacturers tell you to*
</rant>
Click to expand...

paetersen said: ↑

regardless of what metal the electrode is made of the body of all plugs is still good old steel and electrode material has nothing to do with whether a spark plug seizes in a head. There is *nothing* special about the aluminium head of a 3rz, and using copper spark plugs will actually give you hotter spark, because copper is a better conductor than platinum or iridium. Platinum and iridium plugs *only* benefit is that they last longer.

In fact, the only metal that has greater electrical conductivity than copper is pure silver, which is very expensive and very soft but would make an extremely efficient spark plug, for about 10 minutes.

If you're worried about seizing, just RTFM and put a dab of engine oil on the threads *like all spark plug manufacturers tell you to*
</rant>
Click to expand...

Yes agree Oil makes an excellent AntiSeize that has been recommended by OEMs for many years. Thanks Paetersen for sharing your Insight & Expertise on this.

paetersen · Jul 22, 2020

Black DOG Lila said: ↑

@paetersen
Did you hear the one about the certified master tech who put his own truck on dealer lift for oil change and lube.
His taco folded in half and he was fired on the spot.
BTW I left andoff my post.
I heard there is now a nasal spray for Old timers disease.
I'm on my way to Walgreens now.
Should I pick up two?
Click to expand...

better pick up 3, I've been 'misplacing' things lately.

Log in or Sign up

Welcome to Tacoma World!

Check engine light.

#21
paetersen Well-Known Member

#22
Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

#23
Danny070 Member

#24
Danny070 Member

#25
Danny070 Member

#26
paetersen Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Welcome to Tacoma World!

Check engine light.

#21 paetersen Well-Known Member

#22 Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

#23 Danny070 Member

#24 Danny070 Member

#25 Danny070 Member

#26 paetersen Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in Entire Site Forum: 1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)

#21
paetersen Well-Known Member

#22
Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

#23
Danny070 Member

#24
Danny070 Member

#25
Danny070 Member

#26
paetersen Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in