marko3xl3

I recently seafoamed my engine, and I decided to replace my spark plugs before I do any major tune up, so I bought some NGK V-Power plugs ($1.99 a pop - pre-gapped? yeah right...) so I don't have to run dirty spark plugs.

Anyways, I thought NGK V-Powers (one-ground) would be fine, but then I read my owners manual which says the 5VZ-FE needs a two ground spark plug with the electrode being level with the ground prongs. The V-Powers are one ground with the electrode beneath the ground prong.

Which brings me to...can I use the NGK's in my runner or not?

Thanks guys,
Marko

HappyPills

I wouldn't.

kyle_22r

i really don't think it'd hurt it, but i think the dual ground plugs resist fouling a tad better. i think they're only a buck more or so as well.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

OEM spark plugs are what works best IMO in a Toyota...the OEM Denso or NGK. Most come w/ half and half for some reason.

marko3xl3

You obviously haven't tried iridium spark plugs yet, hehe

Wait...iridium plugs only have one ground as well, and I know people use them in 4Runners no problem.

Is there anyone else who knows a bit more about this, it's killing me. I mean, I am probably gonna use the V-Power for a very short time now since I already bought and re-gapped them, but later on, would Iridium (Denso) be a bad choice in the future just because they only have one ground?

kyle_22r

i've never had any problems with other brands of spark plugs in my toyota. if spark plugs are making your engine run funny i'd think you have other problems. my engine even likes the much-hated-in-the-toyota-community autolite plugs.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Use OEM plugs, anything else is a waster of money.

Rick F.

FYI. I'd stick with OEM simply because of the longevity I seem to get with them plus some history here in Yotatech regarding problems people have had with non-OEM plugs.

I just pulled my original plugs with 92,400 miles on them. They looked surprisingly good (I'll take some pics and post them in the next day or 2 or 3...) and were still running well. I can't complain too much about that.

Just my 2 cents.

progress4m

Totally agree!!!

marko3xl3

I guess that's what I'll be doing when I do the major tune-up...OEM plugs. Thanks guys, at least now I can feel safer running these temporary plugs without messing anything up!

DavidA

URD sent me the Iridiums with a single ground. So I guess they are fine. I have yet to find time to install them.

TRDOLMAN

I run Iridiums. They work fine for me.

marko3xl3

Yeah...

I really want to run Iridiums since I heard many people have a good time with them, but I was surprised to see the whole OEM movement. I never heard of any problems with non-oem plugs in runners and I even heard that sometimes single ground plugs are better that double ground. I mean, it's just a spark plug...it makes a spark a million times a day and that's it. Unless you have underlying problems then a little difference in spark shouldn't give you big trouble. Anyone with me here?

kyle_22r

it's a placebo effect

marko3xl3

The Iridium Plugs? Or the whole OEM movement?

surf4runner

im w/ya. i pulled the original? plugs at 90k and they were worn from electrode discharge, but very clean. replaced with bosch platinum2, have been vey happy with them (95k) and have used them with great success in many EFI vehicles. i think they include some kinda warranty regarding improvement too.

r12ski

Hah, I was halfway through installing the Denso Iridium plugs on my 4runner when i saw the little sticker in the engine bay that said to use double prongs only so I stopped for the day. Jumped on here to make sure i could use them.

So, in a cheesey infomercial voice: "THANKS YOTATECH!"

marko3xl3

So you used them right? If you did...any trouble? Does it fell OK?

MTL_4runner

The single electrodes should work but the double electrode will give you longer life (since electricity takes the path of least resistance). I prefer using the OEM plugs, but some choose to use other brands (such as Bosch....I personally don't recommend them but some have had positive results). Do not confuse iridium plugs with regular single electrode plugs because they have an iridium tip (which has an extrtemely high melting point) so they wear very slowly and thus hold their spark quality for a VERY long time.

http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/t...park_plugs.htm

koyota93

If you got single electrode NGKs, the parts guy definitly gave you the wrong ones. I work at Pep Boys, and our NGKs are 3.49 each (more than OEM dealer plugs) but they are dual electrode. NGK plugs use the same design as Denso plugs. They are always a great chose for any Japanese motor. I ran OEM, but I think I will go for Iridiums this time.
Does any one have the Iridium part numbers (NGK or Denso)?