What affects the life of spark plugs?

[chesstompowell]

Hi guys. Can someone give me some advice on what things I can do to extend the life of my spark plugs? Do frequent oil changes help?, or is highway mileage better than stop and go, etc. Thanks in advance.

[white3ch0c0late]

Why would you need to extend the life of the spark plugs? They're only like $6 per plug for the best NGK's, and they're easy to change out.

[CDub LXi]

Don't run shitty gas and keep your injectors clean

[Cyorke]

You dont mention what type of engine you are running but some easy things to do to help I guess. WOuld be to make sure the distributor cap, rotor and wires are all changed on a regualr basis. When I say regualr I mean when the manufacturer suggests they be replaced. BUt you should only be getting 30,000 miles out of copper plugs and 60,000 miles out of platinum. Maybe 100k out of platinum now that Toyota has upped the change intervals.

How much are you getting. Are you burning oil or something and fouling out the plugs are you having problems I guess is waht I am trying to ask.

[chesstompowell]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I have an I4 and no I'm not having any problems with the plugs. I guess it's just that I bought the car used and all I know is that there's approx. 65,000 Km on these plugs that I know of, possibly more. I really don't know. I'm just interested in knowing how I could make these last longer. The stock NGK's that I need for the car cost around $100 CAN for all four. Hey, I appreciate your suggestions, thanks.

[Eye8Pussies]

air/fuel mixture complete/incomplete combustion

and if you have a 4banger, then as said, no need to worry as you can swap them out easily in any occasion- 6cylinder, a slightly different story

[CX889]

Originally Posted by Eye8Pussies

air/fuel mixture complete/incomplete combustion

and if you have a 4banger, then as said, no need to worry as you can swap them out easily in any occasion- 6cylinder, a slightly different story

A different story on V6? I have a V6 with 74k and never change it before... So what are the "symptoms" for a bad plugs? I heard that the longer time to ignite the engine means to change spark plugs, is that true?

[Ken4]

Does yours use the OEM twin ground platinum electrode spark plugs? They are specifically used for the later model Gen 4s with twin coil packs and distributorless. These use a waste spark ignition, therefore the plugs fire twice during a 4 stroke cycle. If you use a single ground electrode, it will severely shorten the life of the plug. e.g. 6,000rpm on your camry engine will be like running 12,000rpm on another car, since the plug fires twice as often. You can also try double platinum plugs, i.e. plugs with a platinum chip also on the ground electrode. What happens in waste spark ignition is that 1 coil pack fires 2 spark plugs simultaneously, e.g. cylinder 1 and cylinder 4. So while one spark plug is firing normally, spark jumps from center electrode to ground electrode, the other spark plug is firing in reverse, i.e. from ground electrode to center electrode, therefore there is high wear on the ground electrode, this is where the platinum chip on the ground electrode gives longevity. Plugs like Denso Iridium SK20R11 and VK20 also have a platinum chip on the ground electrode. NGK Iridium IX and Denso IK20 dont.

[white3ch0c0late]

Dude, someone is trying to rip you off. $100 for 4 plugs for the 5SFE!? No fucking way. NGK Iridium IX plugs are $6.95USD a piece. Part #BKR6EIX-11. They are OEM replacement plugs, and are the best plugs that NGK offers. Whoever quoted you at $100 is majorly rippin' you off, even if it is in Canadian dollars.

[touringcamry]

^ That's CAN$100 or US$85...
Still expensive for 4 spark plugs though.

I bought my four Denso PK20TR11 plugs for less than US$30/CAN$35 from Autozone. They are twin ground double platinum plugs like the NGKs that were stock.

Are there any other automotive stores in your area where you can purchase autoparts?

[97Heaven]

Don't "floor" the pedal, causing it the rpm to do most of the speeding.

[Eye8Pussies]

Originally Posted by CX889

A different story on V6? I have a V6 with 74k and never change it before... So what are the "symptoms" for a bad plugs? I heard that the longer time to ignite the engine means to change spark plugs, is that true?

yes and no.....if it really does take a while, and there's nothing wrong with ANYTHING else pertaining to starting your car then quie possbily- old sparkplugs and a weak spark (which is also quite possibly if your plugs have never been changed before)

but it could also be a weak battery, alternaor,ignition coil, bad wires, etc etc.....




but for real though, what I was referring to was the amount of work that it takes to replace the 6 plugs on the v6 in comparison to the 4 plugs on the 4banger though

[chesstompowell]

The $100 Can that I quoted was from a place we have here in Toronto called Parts Source. They were NGK spark plugs #BKR6EKPB-11 and the total came to $94 actually. Luckily for me the order fell through and I didn't have to pay for them.That's ofcourse if you guys still think I was being taken at that price.

[white3ch0c0late]

Those plugs are $10.49USD each at rockauto.com. Thats $41.96 total. My question to you now is this: are you certain that the 5SFE uses platinum plugs? I was under the impression that Toyota recommends all of their cars to run on Iridium plugs. Besides, Iridium plugs are better than Platinum. Iridium conducts electricity better than Platinum. Platinum is built for longevity, while Iridium is built for performance. Iridium causes a better spark. Because Platinums last longer, they are more expensive. But since you have a 4cyl, its easy to change them, so why not go with an Iridium plug?

[touringcamry]

^ Yes, the 5SFE runs double platinums.

See if you can find the Denso PK20TR11 plugs any cheaper. They are the same specs as the NGK plugs. Twin ground electrodes and double platinum.
Are there any other shops you can get parts?