Will, Jhodge, 007, and all engine guys!!!

not really, i do it all the time at work. some things just have to be unplugged to work right. but if you don't have an OBD2 code scanner that can delete the code set then i could see where the trouble would come from.

 

Oh well. I just installed twin ground NGK plugs, didn't even check the gap, my bad, the plugs I pulled out were 30K old but I noticed they weren't tight. The book calls for 13 Ft Lbs on a new plug install, the last time I changed them I just made them tight(no torque wrench at the time) but the old plugs were all the same as far as wear and tear. My 99 Tacoma was a lease and there were actually 2 different plugs installed. I can't remember which plugs I had but three were on the drivers side and three on the passenger side. The truck was just out of a lease and I ASSUMED the truck was serviced by the dealer...I.E. factory parts and service. Then I saw somewhere that the factory did and does use different plugs on different cylinder banks, I'll try and find that link for a 3.4 V6.

 

my 04 was the same way....as was my 06.........ngk on one side...denso on the other.

 

Would anyone care to explain the idea behind the gap measurement and how it works on our spark plugs? sorry but i would like to know more about it.

 

When I saw this I was pissed, I thought the dealership that serviced my truck prior to me buying it ripped the previous owner and me off, but I guess that is normal. I bought my truck through car max and even called them because they are supposed to do a check of all things mechanical and they told me it was fine, I didn't beleive them but come to find out they were right, still looking for that link.....

 

It's all about the timeing, compression, injection and many other mythical factors. Heres how I understand it....the piston goes up and compresses the oxygen(air) at some point the injectors spray gas into the cyl through the intake also compressing the fuel, once a complete compression stroke is achieved the computer, via the coil pack, sends a spark to the plug to ignite the fuel air mixture thus sending the piston down, opening the exhaust valve. So if the plug is to tight(gap) the spark doesnt have enough room to travel and expose itself to the fuel air mixture, if it's too loose then the spark isn't strong enough to properly ignite the compressed fuel air mixture. This results in poor combustion, deposits, lack of horse power. Not to mention there is a computer that gets a signal from the o2 sensor MAF sensor TB sensor that all try and compensate for poor combustion my brain hurts...hope this very basic answer helps...kevin

 

Heck yeah. Thanks Kevin

 

Hey Chris, I sure hope you made your pneumatic shooting range before you embarked on this spark plug fairy tale!

 

2000 miles. Just lemme know what you want to bust it open and abuse it like the under appreciated cheerleader at the football team's party on prom night.

 

Yes so true, it's hard to tell what the gap is out of the box. Think about 100th and 1000th of an inch it's so small but good insurance to make your truck run "Proper"

 

Just a little sarcasm. It's actually quite an interesting observation and makes alot of sense to me. I'm curious to see what the gap measurements are on new truck plugs.

 

Hey Chris here is some more data for you.

Pulled the plugs on a 06 V6 4runner today miles 28,879
.040 in. 1 plug
.044 in. 2 plugs
.045 in. 2 plugs
.048 in. 1 plug

Now a box of 10 brand new plugs
.040 in. 7 plugs
.044 in. 3 plugs

And some spark plug gap info from
TIS you may already have.

2005-2007 2TR-FE
gap 0.039-0.043 in.

2005-2007 1GR-FE
gap 0.039-0.043 in.
max electrode gap 0.057 in.

2008-2009 2TR-FE
0.043 in. electrode gap for a new spark plug
0.051 in. max electrode gap for a used plug


When I get a chance I will pull the plugs on 09
and let you know.

 

Just changed mine today, .044" on 3 Denso plugs, .048" and .050" for NGK. We accidently dropped the other NGK. Truck seems to idle better and start up better!

 

I can't stand the way my truck starts, it seems to drag but that has been since new. I may have to look into changing this when I get home. By then ya'll should have made some headway and I'll have great advise to follow.