Spark Plug Suggestions

I need to replace my plugs, I don't know much about them. What do I look for? Mechanic where I take my truck said to get iridium plugs because they're better than the copper/nickel. What about ruthenium? is there any benefit to them over the iridium? What brands are recommended for quality spark plugs?

Also, what do I look for on the coil packs to see if those need replacing as well?

 

The manual thumpers will tell you to get copper plugs. I say that manual is outdated. Use the spark plug manufacturer’s application guide to view your plug options. Copper plugs remain relevant for racing but their minor superior conductivity properties over iridium plugs are not worth the tradeoff, imo. That being that iridiums last 2-3 times longer than copper plugs with little to no difference in conductivity. Don't know much about ruthenium plugs to comment on them.

 

OEM plugs and replace things as they fail. Those coil packs could go for 500k miles, or fail tomorrow.

 

Cool but what do I look for, are there any visible signs that the coil packs need replacing?

 

If you don't know what to look for, why are you saying they need replaced? I always replace with regular OEM style copper plugs. Iridium or whatever might be "better" than copper on paper, but to me it doesn't justify the increased cost. Use whatever makes you feel better, they all work. Look up "project farm" spark plug comparison on youtube, there are plenty others as well.

No need to replace coil packs unless they're not working. But I suppose you can replace anything at anytime for any reason, if you have the desire.

 

My coil packs were cracking down the sides of the tube at around 190k, so I replaced all of them with new denso units from rockauto.


Other than that, there isn’t much to see on them, you’d have to do some diagnostics on them to find issues.

 

I said I needed to replace the spark plugs, and was wondering if there were any visible signs to look for on the coil packs as to if the coil packs need replacing. If there was then I would do the coil packs while replacing the plugs, but if the coil packs are just a “replace when they aren’t working” thing then that’s what I’ll do. I had an inspection done before a road trip and the mechanic said 2 of the 4 spark plugs had some corrosion on them, said they were fine for now but I should replace them sooner rather than later.

 

https://ngksparkplugs.com/en/products/ignition-parts/spark-plugs/ruthenium-spark-plugs

You'll have to research the "cold" setting you need - I don't remember.

 

They no longer work is a good idea they need replaced . No spark at the plug

Unless you want to be testing them on a constant basis.

Mine are good at 250,000 miles.

 

The engine will misfire. You can hear it and feel it through the truck.

 

If you are not running a supercharger or a turbo, ruthenium and iridium plugs are overkill for your application. You will not be able to benefit from their advantages.

Toyota recommends a dual electrode copper plug from either NGK or Denso.

 

They last longer. 100k life on average from Ruthenium.

 

Is that anecdotal or your personal experience? Or perhaps a source for that data?

I very much doubt I will run them that long in my application.

 

Use the oem plugs

 

Quick Google will tell you it has 4x the life of Iridium which has a 50-80k life. 100k was me being conservative. I've got them in my Golf now, so we'll see in a few years how they've fared.

 

Actually now there's something better than iridium......

 

Double Iridium.....

.....actually you've all only been using half iridium up til now......
other side degrades too.....

(660) Introducing the New DENSO Iridium TT Spark Plug - YouTube


You guys are so behind the times.....

(661) TechConnect Ruthenium - YouTube

 

I like inexpensive copper spark plugs. It gives me an excuse to get in there and do the 30,000 mile service items. Looking at the condition of the plugs is a good diagnostic tool.

 

Did you not read the thread.....


Personally I prefer to not perform maintenance except when required. But I guess the luddites swarming this forum are a little sadistic.

 

FWIW I have 165k in the clock. The first set was after 100k and I did it because I thought I needed to. I replaced the OEM iridium with standard ones and those electrodes literally wore out after only 20k miles. I don’t know if it was coincidental or causal but was told that the factory engineers chose the more expensive iridium for a reason. After seeeing the wear on my standard plugs, I would tend to agree. YMMV.