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What the hell is up with these Denso plugs?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 1996_2.4, Jun 27, 2022.

  1. Jun 27, 2022 at 9:51 PM
    #1
    1996_2.4

    1996_2.4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Does this look normal? For years I've gone to the parts store to buy copper NGKs for my 1996 2.4 because they are OEM and the cheapest. Thought I would save myself $5.00 in gas and just have Amazon deliver plugs to my house.

    Amazon had these Denso plugs for $19.00, they came in today and what the hell? They came all gapped at .26 (not .32), they are made in China (not Japan), and they just look and feel cheap (I'm afraid to stretch the gap out to .32 thinking there's some reason they are set at .26).

    Do these Denso copper plugs look like the ones you buy?

    Should I gap them to the .32 recommended in the manual or leave them alone?

    Here's a pic an Amazon customer sent in of these plugs being burnt. Should I throw these in the trash and go with the same NGK copper plugs I've used for years? imageedit_3_7986328519.jpg imageedit_1_5108051926.jpg

    71XAp66DToL._SL1600_.jpg
     
  2. Jun 27, 2022 at 9:57 PM
    #2
    PhoS

    PhoS Proffauxssional

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    Anyone can sell on Amazon, they are likely counterfeits.
     
  3. Jun 27, 2022 at 10:02 PM
    #3
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    Thats standard gas stain on the porcelain. Nothing to be worried about.

    I'd run them, you have them why not.

    Set the gap yes. 0.032 (odd that our guide on this page says more, its 0.032" for sure)
     
    1996_2.4[OP] and Kolter45 like this.
  4. Jun 27, 2022 at 10:13 PM
    #4
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    According to Denso, some of the plugs are made in China.

    And the majority of the time, a Chinese counterfeit will NOT say made in China.
    That kind of defeats the purpose of counterfeiting the part?


    Here is a link if you want to know more.
    https://www.denso-am.eu/news/deneur19_33_counterfeits
     
  5. Jun 27, 2022 at 11:25 PM
    #5
    1996_2.4

    1996_2.4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the replies. I'm old and poor and that truck is all I got, don't want to waste money buying another set of plugs, but don't want to mess up my engine or replace them in a few weeks either if they are junk.

    I'll put them in and hope for the best. Weird they are gapped so damn small.
     
  6. Jun 27, 2022 at 11:48 PM
    #6
    Empty_Lord

    Empty_Lord Toyotaholic

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    the counterfeit plugs are a big issue on Amazon and ebay. ive had to replace a few engines at work due to them. and when it happens your SOL. plugs are one thing to buy from the dealer or the parts store (the copper ones are fairly cheap.. even at the dealer)


    these knock offs LOVE dropping the electrode in the combustion chamber and destroying the top of the piston
     
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  7. Jun 27, 2022 at 11:50 PM
    #7
    Empty_Lord

    Empty_Lord Toyotaholic

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    Key-Rei, 1996_2.4[OP] and TWJLee like this.
  8. Jun 28, 2022 at 5:36 AM
    #8
    MalinoisDad

    MalinoisDad Misanthropic dog person

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    Rolling the dice with Amazon is not worth it. Getting your parts in person or from a known trusted source is certainly the better option. Plugs don’t even get changed all that frequently. I would return those and get ones you feel good about installing.
     
    Key-Rei, Wulf and 1996_2.4[OP] like this.
  9. Jun 28, 2022 at 9:50 AM
    #9
    1996_2.4

    1996_2.4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Youre right. Going to buy from NAPA from now on. I'll try to return these damn things from Amazon
     
    Wulf likes this.
  10. Jun 28, 2022 at 10:29 AM
    #10
    Nessal

    Nessal Well-Known Member

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    I never get parts from Amazon. Too many counterfiets...it's not worth it. Try rockauto or buy online at McGeorge.
     
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  11. Jun 28, 2022 at 10:30 AM
    #11
    Wulf

    Wulf no brain just damage

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    Amazon will probably take them back no questions asked
     
  12. Jun 28, 2022 at 10:39 AM
    #12
    Caslon

    Caslon Well-Known Member

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    I bought my copper core Denso oem’s from a Toyota parts department. They weren’t expensive at all! Something like $5 a piece.
     
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  13. Jun 28, 2022 at 9:18 PM
    #13
    Chuy

    Chuy Well-Known Member

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    On the Amazon product page, in the top right section, under “Secure Connection”, will be “Ships from” and “Sold by”. It should have “Amazon” in both fields in order to ensure you are buying an authentic item. It may not matter for some things, but for other things like automotive parts and electronics, I wont take a chance.
     
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  14. Jun 28, 2022 at 9:44 PM
    #14
    Nessal

    Nessal Well-Known Member

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    Even stuff sold by Amazon are fake. Just not worth it.
     
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  15. Jun 28, 2022 at 9:50 PM
    #15
    Wulf

    Wulf no brain just damage

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    Yeah, doesn't matter who's selling it if the supply chain has fakes coming in.
     
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  16. Jun 28, 2022 at 9:54 PM
    #16
    Chuy

    Chuy Well-Known Member

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    That would extend to dealers also. So, no more buying parts from anyone.
     
  17. Jun 28, 2022 at 10:17 PM
    #17
    Wulf

    Wulf no brain just damage

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    Nah, dealers and parts supply chains are generally more reliable than Amazon. They have contracts with known suppliers whereas Amazon does not guarantee it.

    For whatever it's worth I bought several Motorcraft parts for my Fords from a dealer, Advance, and Amazon on multiple occasions. The dealer and Advance Motorcraft parts were identical and packaged the same. The Amazon parts came in a lower quality cardboard box that looked the same but weren't wrapped the same as the ones I picked up locally. When compared side to side they were obviously a lower quality when compared to the ones I bought locally.
     
  18. Jun 28, 2022 at 10:38 PM
    #18
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ I drink, and I know things… Moderator

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    I would not put those in my vehicle. My co-worker found out about the “Amazon” fake Denso plugs on his car. 5k miles later he was putting in a used motor in his G37 for a tune of 5000.00.

    One of my best friends put these cheap “Amazon” plug in his Lexus IS300 and I called him right away after my coworkers motor was destroyed. He pulled them out and almost had the same issue with the electrode breaking off.
     

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