Question about Denso Iridums!!!

[hassanbigboss]

I want to change the spark plugs on my 1998 Camry LE V6. I wanted to get the denso iridiums but I noticed that they only have one electrode instead of two that are on the OEM plugs I have. Do you think it would be a problem if I use the spark plugs with only one electrode or should I stick with two? TIA


Big Boss

[Brian R.]

I would go with the original design and recommended plug. According to sparkplugs.com, the OEM plug is the NGK BKR6EKPB-11 with dual electrodes.

DENSO makes a similar dual-electrode plug, the PK20TR11. Both have platinum center electrodes, resistor plugs with 0.044-in gap.

[xfeejayx]

Pep Boys Sux, they told me the wrong plugs were OEM! Now I got regular NGK plats instead of dual ground. Eh, I guess that's not so bad considering that my dad had gotten the car "tuned up" some time before I bought it from him, and the plgus that I pulled out of it were bosch standards (that and single ground plats cost about $30 less than dual ground )

[Toysrme]

Lexus/Toyota quit recommending dual electrode plugs in the last few years. They give a less intense spark.



Stick with single electrode plugs.

[Brian R.]

Originally Posted by Toysrme

They give a less intense spark.

I'm going to call them on that. Unless they changed the gap or the spark energy by changing the ignition, I don't buy it. Dual electrode plugs will act like a single electrode plug using the side electrode that has the lowest breakdown potential. The other electrode will not be used until the used electrode is worn to where it has decreased it's breakdown voltage to below that of the other electrode. Then the spark will only use the other electrode.

There may be another reason they are not saying (like cost or lifetime), but spark intensity explanation is difficult to swallow.

[Toysrme]

They also bump compression 1 millionth of a compression point, but that's not exactly doing much.

[hassanbigboss]

Okay I am torn into making a decision but should I go with the single electrode or double electrode. Brian and Toysrme have arguements going on between which spark plugs to use and I am confused now

[Brian R.]

You'll never notice the difference between two high quality plugs. Either the Iridium or double electrode platinum will probably last longer than you own your vehicle.

[WickedNYCowboy]

Should plugs be changed more frequently then the 100,000k after the car turns 100k? I have a 113,5-600 on it now and i'd say around 23,000 miles on the plugs.

[Brian R.]

As long as there are no deposits building up on them, they will last as long as the factory plugs. Normally, your engine starts to burn a little oil as it gets older, either through the valve seals or the rings. This may or may not contribute to deposits on the plugs.

In addition to replacing them again at 200K, I would check them at 150K and 175K and replace them all if any of them don't look dry and brown. Make sure you put fresh antiseize compound on the threads every time you remove and replace them. Be very careful starting the threads so as not to damage the soft aluminum threads in the head and never remove the plugs when the engine is hot. Torque them without fail. Be very careful. The head was not made to have threaded fasteners removed and replaced that often.

If you have a V6 and the rear plugs are difficult to access, I would only check the front three.