Toyota Tacoma spark plugs

[BIGNASTY]

Going to change spark plugs on a Tacoma. Thinking about using what I've always called "Center Fire" plugs.

I think that the correct terminology is "Multiple Ground Electrode" spark plugs.

Im not sure that it already uses them lots of Rice Burners do.

If not your opinion about their use if an option?

 

[mwilson]

If the Taco already has a long life plug in it then I would replace with the same thing...Hoopty has a 100,000 mile plug change and at that mileage they looked great. I put the same make and part number plug in because it was obvious they did the job well....

i dont believe a wrench had touched them since the day they were installed at the factory..

 

[BIGNASTY]

If the Taco already has a long life plug in it then I would replace with the same thing...Hoopty has a 100,000 mile plug change and at that mileage they looked great. I put the same make and part number plug in because it was obvious they did the job well....

i dont believe a wrench had touched them since the day they were installed at the factory..

I guess I should pull a plug & check it out.

Thanks

 

[mwilson]

What is the suggested mileage for a plug change on it???

 

[RVTRKN]

My plugs are to new in my Tacoma to have to change them yet, however unless there is something else recommended, I'll be installing Bosch Platinum when there due. They have worked well in all my gassers, except my boat. In the case of my boat, I replaced them with OEM recommended plugs, due to marine applications. My Harley has only been replaced with OEM, however that will change if Bosch Platinum has a plug for them. I looked into center fire a while back ago, and I didn't think the price vrs ability justified the purchase.

 

[Bob4x4]

The v6 Tacos come with ngk on one side and denso's on the other.I have never heard an official reason why.There will not be any advantage from using a more expensive plug,other than lightening your wallet.

 

[RVTRKN]

I'm not aware of the sequence of operation, however one side may be for exhaust stroke, to burn off unburnt fuel when exhaust valve open on the exhaust stroke?*

 

[Bob4x4]

I guess I could have said bank...............

 

[BIGNASTY]

What is the suggested mileage for a plug change on it???

The taco was bought used so we don't have Owners manual. From Toyota world 60k is the change period. Haven't pulled one yet.

Im being lazy

 

[Wayne M.]

This thread has drawn me in, so I'll weigh in.
I don't know much about 'Yoda's other than Prius, and I'm assuming this is a late model V6 Taco, so I did a quick search on the subject. I've not heard of any IC engine requiring different spark plugs in the same engine, and according to Rock Auto, there's a huge selection of what could be in there, and no calling out for a certain position. I would put nothing in there except what Toyota calls for- probably NGK- the best plug in the world IMHO, or Denso. Not shabby either.
A layout of the secondary Ignition system (I think it was a '13 MY I looked at) shows 3 coils on one bank, and a set of secondary wires going around to the other bank. They're wired up in companion, so one coil fires 2 cylinders each go'round. It's a single plug system. Very simple and straightforward.

I have some experience with ethanol blends, like E85, and they will knock down a copper plug's life by 60%, so find out what is in there, and plan accordingly. Personally, I'd by most concerned about getting those old plugs out without incident. Plug removal issues seem to by common nowadays.

 

[BigPapa]

What year is it Nasty?

The v6 Tacos come with ngk on one side and denso's on the other.

Bob, with all due respect, I've always appreciated your posts and respect your knowledge. Could you tell me where this info comes from? I've looked in the S/M and they do list a recommendation for both NGK and Denso, but does not specify one or the other. This is for a 2013:

This is what I've always found on any import spec, especially on motorcycles and ATV's, a spec for both.

I agree with you on expensive plugs.

I would put nothing in there except what Toyota calls for- probably NGK- the best plug in the world IMHO, or Denso.

I agree about the NGK's. I've sold and used them for over 30 years. I would suggest them for any import vehicle. However, in my personal vehicles I would use ACDelco in a GM product and Motor Craft in a Ford product. Everything else gets NGK's. Just my $0.02.

In my opinion, all the "exotic" plug hype is just a way to get folks to change their plugs and buy the exotic. Most gains from changing to the exotics would have been gained by replacing the plug with any brand. For example, we experimented and tried the "SplitFire" plugs in several applications when they came out. In new vehicles and in engines that are properly maintained we found no difference.

 

[Bob4x4]

This thread has drawn me in, so I'll weigh in.
I don't know much about 'Yoda's other than Prius, and I'm assuming this is a late model V6 Taco, so I did a quick search on the subject. I've not heard of any IC engine requiring different spark plugs in the same engine, and according to Rock Auto, there's a huge selection of what could be in there, and no calling out for a certain position. I would put nothing in there except what Toyota calls for- probably NGK- the best plug in the world IMHO, or Denso. Not shabby either.
A layout of the secondary Ignition system (I think it was a '13 MY I looked at) shows 3 coils on one bank, and a set of secondary wires going around to the other bank. They're wired up in companion, so one coil fires 2 cylinders each go'round. It's a single plug system. Very simple and straightforward.

I have some experience with ethanol blends, like E85, and they will knock down a copper plug's life by 60%, so find out what is in there, and plan accordingly. Personally, I'd by most concerned about getting those old plugs out without incident. Plug removal issues seem to by common nowadays.

There is no requirement of different plug brand side to side,it is how they are assembled and shipped.There is no published documentation as to why.There are forum guesses all over the place.Tacomaworld key board experts have found high priced plugs to have issues in some cases and in others only matching oem function.Between my son and hais wife they have hundreds of thousands of miles with no complaints using oem-ngk and denso plugs.I have found the same on Chrysler gassers over the years.FCA has gone to platinum plugs on some models,it will increase the number of miles that can be run but will also add risk of thread issues on aluminium heads.The price for 16 platinum plugs on a Hemi is a bit high

 

[DonFitzwater]

Yep, the taco V6 engines came with two different brand spark plugs and mine was no different. I'm sure some senior "erectricur" engineer at Toyota had a reason but after I changed them out to NGK V-powers......it ran exactly the same as before. Truck only had 65k on the clock. After I serviced mine I also serviced a coworkers (same year) and it also had the Denso/NGK thing going on. Strange!

 

[RVTRKN]

Maybe a contract related issue, I'll have to check mine. I have never turned a wrench on mine yet, except for my 4pin trailer plug, it only has 13K miles

 

[Bob4x4]

The 3.5 may be different.I was referring to the 4.0.

 

[RVTRKN]

I did some following up on my 3.5 V6, and it has only 4 plugs and is a hemispherical (Hemi) design heads, using Denso long reach Iridium spark plugs.*

 

[BIGNASTY]

Went with OEM

 

[RVTRKN]

I'm sorry, it has 6 plugs and 4 valves per cylinder.**
You can never go wrong with OEM.*

 

[Bill Lins]

Glad you cleared that up- you had me wondering for a minute there! :-laf

 

[RVTRKN]

Here is the link for all the gear heads here in TDR, that just might own the new 3.5 V6 Tacoma.http://www.toyotareference.com/guts/tacoma16_engine.pdf