spark plug question

[mail2_jb]

I am about to change the spark plugs in my 2000 camry 4 cyl, 90K on it.
When I looked at the engine on the timing belt cover, it has a factory label "Do not use Single electrod spark plugs. Use double electrode plugs" with a pic of the plugs.
After reading some posts here, many are recommending NGK Iridium plugs. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...EAMS_542743976___
and is cheaper than the double platinum plugs
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...EAMS_542748936___


For Denso, here are the links
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...AMS_1154248208___
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...AMS_1154340035___

Both iridium plugs are single electrode ones, so looks like that is NOT good for camry?

I will be keeping this car for a long long time and want to use the best possible plugs within a reasonable price.
Which one should I buy?

Thanks in advance
John

[Mike Gerber]

IMHO, I would stick with the double ground electrode plugs Toyota recommended. Toyota recommends changing them every 60,000 miles.

Also an FYI, just in case you weren't aware. Toyota recommends the timing belt be changed every 90,000 miles. You are at that mileage now.

Mike

[pmesfun]

+1
Check Toyotapartsales.com, they are Toyota of Dallas and had the cheapest price for me.

[pmesfun]

http://www.toyotapartsales.com/partl...&siteid=214074

$6.89 each+plus shipping.

[uibalnme]

eh, I've been running NGKs for over 3 years now without a single problem. I pulled them last month just to check, and they show almost no signs of wear.

[JohnGD]

Check NGK's e-catalog. Use their Iridium-IX (but not the Laser Iridium with the platinum ground pad for these waste spark systems).

www.ngksparkplugs.com

Originally Posted by mail2_jb

I am about to change the spark plugs in my 2000 camry 4 cyl, 90K on it.
When I looked at the engine on the timing belt cover, it has a factory label "Do not use Single electrod spark plugs. Use double electrode plugs" with a pic of the plugs.
After reading some posts here, many are recommending NGK Iridium plugs. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Iridium-Ix-Spark-Plug-NGK_15650054-P_960_R%7CGRPTUNEAMS_542743976___
and is cheaper than the double platinum plugs
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Laser-Platinum-Spark-Plug-NGK_12026939-P_960_R%7CGRPTUNEAMS_542748936___


For Denso, here are the links
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Double-Platinum-Spark-Plug-Denso_20650268-P_960_R%7CGRPTUNEAMS_1154248208___
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Iridium-Power-Spark-Plug-Denso_20650553-P_960_R%7CGRPTUNEAMS_1154340035___

Both iridium plugs are single electrode ones, so looks like that is NOT good for camry?

I will be keeping this car for a long long time and want to use the best possible plugs within a reasonable price.
Which one should I buy?

Thanks in advance
John

[LynchburgCSI]

+1 on NOT using laser iridiums on waste spark systems.

[Entrical]

:-x I used Laser Iridiums when I replaced my Head Gaskets! Is it really that big of a deal?

[SexieWASD]

The deal is that waste spark systems eat plugs twice as fast as single spark ignition system, so with one electrode you can expect around half the life. Plugs are cheap and easy to do on the 4cyl. So it doesn't really bother most people around here.

[JohnGD]

Gen 4 waste park system? NGK used to have Laser Iridium listed, but removed it for these applications. I don't know why.

Maybe you want to check with NGK tech support?

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/About_nGK/contactus.asp

Originally Posted by Entrical

:-x I used Laser Iridiums when I replaced my Head Gaskets! Is it really that big of a deal?

[Jawadali]

Hi Everyone,

I just posted a duplicate thread, but I have closed that and am merging my questions into this thread.

Is there a clear verdict "Best" Spark plug for the Gen 4 2.2L Camry's?


I was initially all-set on the Iridium IX plugs, but after reading about the waste spark system, I was leaning towards the Denso Double Platinums (PK20TR11), mainly due to longevity. However, if Iridium Plugs are better with comparable longevity, I may go with them.

I recently bought a 1997 Camry which is just about to hit 75k miles, and I am pretty sure the plugs and wires have never been changed. I had the car inspected about a month ago, and he said the plugs should probably be changed. I was going to do this before I moved, but never got a chance.

From the 4 or 5 threads that I have read (including this one), here are the conclusions that I came to:



-The Gen 4 Camry's (I4 5S-FE) have a waste spark system, such that each spark plug fires twice as often.

-Therefore, the OEM plugs are Double Platinum (featuring Dual Ground Electrodes) in order for them to last longer. There is an explicit notice near the engine which states to use these types of plugs.

-The OEM-equivalent plugs are either Denso PK20TR11 or NGK BKR6EKPB-11 double-platinum plugs. These should last around 60,000 miles on the Gen 4 5SFE, with many members reporting more.

-Many people are recommending NGK or Denso Iridium plugs, in particular the NGK Iridium IX (BKR6EIX-11).

-However, due to the single-electrode nature of these Iridium plugs, many people state that they will last half as long in the waste spark system, i.e. around 30,000-40,000 miles.

-Others state that since Iridium is a tougher metal, it shouldn't be an issue, and the replacement interval between Iridium and Double Platinum Plugs should be similar.

-A few folks point out that the Iridium plugs weren't around/weren't popular in the late 1990's, hence the lack of official Toyota endorsement for them on older (i.e. Gen 4) vehicles.

-From what others have said, Iridium plugs anecdotally seem to give slightly better performance (smoother idling) and fuel economy, but this may be just due to the fact of having new plugs.

-Lastly, the Iridiums and Double Platinums in question cost about the same.




Like the title says, is there a verdict on this? Iridium for performance, and double-platinum for longevity?

Perhaps it's only a minor difference, and isn't worth a big deal?

[garytho]

Theres alot of conflicting info about this subject on here for sure. It would be nice to get some solid info about this.
I know I have the NGK Laser Iridiums in my 96 2.2 and they have been excellent so far,...runs smooth as silk.

[ajkalian]

Originally Posted by garytho

Theres alot of conflicting info about this subject on here for sure. It would be nice to get some solid info about this.
I know I have the NGK Laser Iridiums in my 96 2.2 and they have been excellent so far,...runs smooth as silk.

If you RTFM you will see that it is spelled out pretty clearly. This is for model year 1999-2000. Is this solid enough info?





.

[garytho]

Thank you aj,....but this was printed for the car as it was produced,...and I appreciate that,...and I'm sure it's very safe to use what is listed. No question about it. But I'm talking about a comprehensive evaluation of using the current Iridium plugs that are are now available. Plugs have advanced in the past 10-11 yrs with the use of iridium. Most cars are now using iridium (obviously theres a reason for that). Just like you would use another upgraded part for anything else. Can't blame a person for wanting to use better parts for longer/better performance. I was commenting about the threads being discussed here on this forum,.....not the manual. Anyone can access the plug #'s in the manual,......and should if they aren't sure about using something else.
Sorry if I ruffled your feathers,.....relax!!!! Didn't know the Toyota police were gonna jump down my throat about an issue that has been debated on a public forum,.. where people discuss these type of things. Jeesh!!!

[fenixus]

i'd say Iridium-IX or Laser Iridium, no mater, they are single electrode period. expect half the product's life in a waste spark system.

any double electrode should be good for full length of life, no comments on performance of cheap versions though.

I stick to Double Platinum by Denso or NGK Laser Platinum (double electrode as well) on all Toyotas and so far can't complain if car has been well maintained.

on a side note, changing plugs on a V6 sucks balls, so get the best ones you can to avoid extra labor / down time in future. changing plugs on 5s-fe is a piece of cake, I can do this blind folded at any time of night if you ask me.