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When to replace spark plugs and with what?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by smcgill, May 18, 2013.

  1. Jun 17, 2013 at 5:05 PM
    #21
    j4x4ar3

    j4x4ar3 Well-Known Member

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    Not to hijack the thread but it's on topic. I have an 05 DC 4.0 and I heard that the early models used iridium then later in the production runs they went to copper then in 06 went back to iridium. Thought I remember the reason being in the 05's that they were running hot with iridium. Not sure though. I started getting the P0306 code the other day after running rough at start for a week. Replacing the plugs tonight with NGK Iridium IX plugs. I've always been told Denso/NGK in Toyota's and nothing else. (Rice rockets seem to run better with NGK anyway. :D)

    Anyone know about temp differences in Iridium vs copper if you buy within the same heat range?
     
  2. Jun 17, 2013 at 8:44 PM
    #22
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    No difference if the heat range is the same.
     
  3. Jun 17, 2013 at 8:51 PM
    #23
    teneighty

    teneighty I'd rather be skiing...

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  4. Jun 17, 2013 at 9:19 PM
    #24
    Biscuits

    Biscuits Thorny Crown of Entropy

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    Swiggity swangin' biggity bangin'
    Anyone know what's responsible for such an extreme delta between the two engines? The vvt-i?
     
  5. Jun 17, 2013 at 9:25 PM
    #25
    KalamaKid

    KalamaKid Well-Known Member

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    same shit as everyone else
    So anyone know if they are all positive plugs? Curious if the 4.0 has half positive and half neg plus and thats why you need to change them. Not sure how the ignition system works exactly

    I changed mine out at 35K and they were all good as new except for the fact they had soot on them as if my engine was running a little rich at idle
     
  6. Jun 18, 2013 at 8:05 AM
    #26
    RearViewMirror

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    Oh.... Please for the love of (insert favorite deity here) tell me you don't have 200k on the original plugs on a V6????

    The plugs on the V6 are scheduled to be changed every 30k. I just did mine on Saturday with 30910 miles. For those that haven't done it (hopefully not the OP) you will notice the first time that you change them the passenger side plugs are Denso's and the Driver's side plugs are NGK from the factory. No idea why but that is what they do. Best plugs are the OEM Denso's and cost around $3-6 depending on the dealership.

    Here is a picture of two of the plugs I pulled out Sat.
    The Denso's were gapped at 43 and the NGK were gapped at 47 which leads me to believe that the Denso's are better plugs (at least they wear better)

    [​IMG]


    What I replaced them with

    [​IMG]

    Gap the plugs to .040. The passenger side is easy to remove. The drivers side is a little more complicated. You have a few things you have to remove and loosen up to get to the coils. Not too hard though.


    Very good write up here.




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    Last edited: Jun 18, 2013
  7. Jun 18, 2013 at 3:22 PM
    #27
    jerzeyjoe

    jerzeyjoe Well-Known Member

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    There is a whole sticky on this subject. You will find step by step instructions, with pictures.

    "SEARCH" is your friend.
     
  8. Jun 18, 2013 at 3:35 PM
    #28
    RearViewMirror

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    Already posted the link :rolleyes:

    It's easier to just answer someone and be helpful.;)
     
  9. Jun 18, 2013 at 4:00 PM
    #29
    jtv

    jtv Well-Known Member

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    I did not change plugs until 201,233 miles, after 11 years. Yes, it cranked every time I started, and the plug tips were almost flat.
     
  10. Jun 18, 2013 at 5:43 PM
    #30
    RearViewMirror

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    Nice to know the truck can do that.




    Glad I didn't buy it
     
  11. Jun 18, 2013 at 9:00 PM
    #31
    WilsonTheDog

    WilsonTheDog Kylie's dad

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    Why would anyone...nevermind. That's a pointless rhetorical question.
     
  12. Jun 24, 2013 at 12:13 PM
    #32
    oldstick

    oldstick Medicare Member

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    I know plenty of folks that never change a plug unless they find one that is misfiring. Kind of makes sense too, it is either sparking or or it's mis-sparking.
     
  13. Jun 24, 2013 at 1:36 PM
    #33
    RearViewMirror

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    Not really.... It "may" be running but it is not running a peak efficiency. Some people run oil much longer than they should and it still runs. Doesn't mean you "should" do it though.




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  14. Jun 24, 2013 at 1:48 PM
    #34
    PB65stang

    PB65stang Well-Known Member

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    I changed my original plugs @ 30k and replaced them with NGK Iridiums, which I replaced @ 100k. The things looked brand new, and the truck still ran the same, got the same gas mileage, no hard starting, same emissions numbers, etc. Besides this truck, I've never had a vehicle say change the plugs every 30k miles, and I don't think you really NEED to on this one either.
     
  15. Jun 24, 2013 at 1:52 PM
    #35
    RearViewMirror

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    That may be true. I just tend to do what Toyota calls for. Figure they know more than me. Not saying you're wrong by any means. I just like wrenching on my truck and this allows me to do some. :)



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  16. Jun 24, 2013 at 2:26 PM
    #36
    ANT2013taco

    ANT2013taco Well-Known Member

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    If you got 200k miles out of the Stock set then I would recommend getting the same ones, or as close as possible.
     
  17. Jun 25, 2013 at 6:59 AM
    #37
    oldstick

    oldstick Medicare Member

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    What I meant was it is either running smoothly or it is skipping due to a faulty plug. The plug merely sparks each and every time igniting the cylinder or it has trouble sparking and you get misfires in that cylinder. The spark plug does not add additional power or efficiency to the cylinder, it just ignites the process.

    And a single spark plug failure is not likely to strand you (with a 6 or 8 anyway) so that is why some folks don't worry about plugs or wires until they get some skipping going on.
     
  18. Jun 25, 2013 at 10:26 AM
    #38
    Scott2006

    Scott2006 Active Member

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    Is torquing to 15ft/lbs to protect from stripping the plug threads or for some other reason? I have worked on many engines with aluminum heads and have always just hand tightened to feel...
     
  19. Jun 25, 2013 at 11:14 AM
    #39
    chipnoreo

    chipnoreo Ready for snow!

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    I replaced mine a few weeks ago with all Densos. My truck has 90k on it and I am guessing the plugs have never been changed since the gap on the plugs I took out was .6 to .75 :eek: which is weird because I checked the service records with Toyota and the last owner had brought it in pretty regularly for maintenance....
     
  20. Jun 25, 2013 at 11:33 AM
    #40
    oldstick

    oldstick Medicare Member

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    Call me cynical, but I'd bet the dealer did charge him for new plugs at least a time or two..... "No sorry sir we don't have the old ones to show you, we tossed those already... snicker, snicker".
     

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