Spark Plug obsolete

[qprint]

I like to buy the NGK brand Spark Plugs
The store has the V-Power or G-Power or Iridium IX
My manual asks for NGK IFR6A11 or Denso SK20R11 and I like to stick with the NGK's
Which one is the correct replacement for the IFR6A11 ?

[Tom 2000]

Why are you changing your spark plugs so early? They should be good until about 60,000 miles (approx 100,000 km)

[Cyorke]

Just try this website they list the two different iridium plugs one is OE installed part and the other looks like the IX replacement. The IX is cheaper according to the website but about 1 dollar US.

http://www.ngk.com/results_app.asp?AAIA=1388741

[qprint]

I bought the car used and found 3 rear plugs Denso and 3 front ones NGK
I know its hard to get at rear ones, previous owner must of changed front ones only.
Not knowing what else he couldve done with the spark plugs, I'm better off starting with new plugs all together. Call it paranoia, but I'm thorough

The NGK #4589 IFR6T-11 looks like a close match, and I hear not to use the IX #3764unless your car is modded.

The heat range for the IFR6A11 is 6

[Mike Gerber]

"I bought the car used and found 3 rear plugs Denso and 3 front ones NGK
I know its hard to get at rear ones, previous owner must of changed front ones only."


I had a talk with a Denso engineer about 2 years ago. I wasn't sure how to gap the twin ground electrode plugs the first time I changed them at 60,000 miles on my generation 4. We got to talking and he told me that it's not uncommon to have a Toyota V6 with 3 Denso plugs on one side and 3 NGK plugs on the other. It's just a matter of what plugs are in the parts bin on each side when that motor went down the production line. If the engine is running fine, just leave them alone until 60,000 miles. That is the recommended change interval; at least it was on the generation 4's. If you are not sure, check your owner's manual or call Toyota corporate at 1-800-331-4331 and talk to customer service.

MIke

[Cyorke]

Mike you beat me to it. I can remember the first time I changed plugs on a 1MZ at the dealer I worked at and it had ND on one side and NGK on teh other. I was like WTF is this. One of the guys that I worked with that had been there for years said it is very common for any V6 from Toyota to have different plugs on each side.

[qprint]

Unbeleivable. I cant beleive a car MFG would do this. No two brand names are exactly alike.
I need to call Toyota and ask them the new NGK plug I should use to replace the NGK IFR6A11 plug in my owners manual. I dont see this number in NGK's website or at the stores

[Mike Gerber]

Chris,

I thought that was funny when I first heard it too. Now I'm glad both my Camrys are I 4's. Besides, I wouldn't want to deal with getting out those back 3 plugs.


qprint,

Apparently it's worked fine in your car for 40,000 miles and apparently in many other V6's, so I wouldn't get too worried about it. I wouldn't change them out until at least 60,000 miles. By then there should be a new recommendation out on what to use. If you are still uncomfortable with the different plugs and what to replace them with, do as I suggested above and give Toyota corporate customer service a call. They will "open a file" on your question and probably find out for you. If they can't find the answer while you are waiting on hold, they will give you a call back with the answer. Just be prepared to give them your VIN. They always ask for that.

Mike

[Cyorke]

Chris,

I thought that was funny when I first heard it too. Now I'm glad both my Camrys are I 4's. Besides, I wouldn't want to deal with getting out those back 3 plugs.

They really arent aht hard to get to. You jsut have to climb up on top of the engine. At least that is what I do to get to them. I had mine done in about 45 minutes when I did all six of them a month or two ago. Of course 45 minutes is nothing like 10 mintes to do the 4cyl.

[qprint]

Called Toyota Customer Service and and they didnt have NGK information, and asked me to talk to any dealership. I called them and they said what I already know, they only carry Denso plugs and dont know any compatible replacement from other aftermark brands.

I guess NGK is no longer used in any Toyota owner's manual ?

I don't get it........

[Cyorke]

They probably dont know at the dealer because the replacement from Toyota is the Denso plug.

Did the link I posted not give you the info you were looking for. It is very possible that the plug is obsolete like you have said. they may have replaced it with another plug that uses a different number.

[BadChicken]

The plugs are fairly simple to replace takes about 20 minutes to do all six if you have the right tools
For the back ones you need a long spark plug socket, matco and snap on make a 6" one that works well, cuz it sticks up out of the hole then put a universal adapter on it with a 12" extension and you will just have to work around the intake. Its not as hard as it sounds once you get in there. Only problem you may run into is if you have an older 1mz where the coils are on the back instead of the front.
Hope this helps

[qprint]

I dont have a problem in removing the rear ones, i have a problem with not know which NGK plug I need to use without voiding warranty. I like to hear it from Toyota on the NGK # I need , not by NGK

[csaxon]

This is from the "official" Toyota dealer wholesale catalog.

Vehicle: CAMRY
Part Group: ELECTRICAL
Category: SPARK PLUGS
Vehicle Year(s): 2004
Model: MCV3#
Model Year: 2004
Production Dates: 0107-
Engine: 1MZFE,3MZFE
Engine Size: V6, 3.0L;V6, 3.0L
OE Part No.: 90919-01210
Show All Applications for this Part No. »
Type: SK20R11 »
Opt. Platinum No.: -----------------

[csaxon]

If you want NGK Iridium then the OE plug below would be best because it has a longer life expectancy. The iridium IX is also excellent but won't last as long because it has a slightly smaller electrode. Your OE plugs(both denso and ngk) have .7mm center electrodes. The IX is .6 and the newer denso is .4. The sk20r11 is .7.(OE).

OE Laser Iridium IFR6T11 ^ # 4589 0.044
Iridium IX BKR6EIX-11 3764 0.044