So apparently the service guys didn't change my sparkplugs out at 100,000 km. They say they are good for 120,000 km (platinum) but whatever... I think it's crazy to have the same set of spark plugs in a vehicle for that long.

So I called my guys at the Tire Warehouse (great place, great service) and asked them about changing them out for me. My access to garage space is limited and for what it's worth, it may be more cost efficient (as my time is money too) to have someone else do it. If you've ever changed your own on a 3.4 L engine or looked under the hood, you'd know it's a little troublesome to change the plugs out.

Anyhow, for the labor involved to remove the plenum and get access to the plugs, the quoted labor was approximately $200 Cdn. Ouch. I don't blame them at all for that quote though as it's a bit troublesome.

So I called a Toy dealer and the standard copper ones, which need to be changed out every 48,000 km, will cost me $69.95 Cdn. to remove & replace. I'd like to do it myself but for $70 it's more worth my time and money to have them do it for me.

Anyhow, I'm going with copper ones instead of platinum because I feel they fire better due to better conductivity. I'd rather have them changed more often and keep them fairly new, versus leave platinum ones in for an extended period of time. I'll change them every 30,000 km instead of 48,000 km though.

Just figured I'd share my thoughts about this w/you guys.

 

I have used Platinum plugs in the past on my 22RE and I did not think much of them.
I run the stock plugs now on my V6 and change them every couple of years and they are in great shape when they come out.

Just stick with the stock Nippon Denso or the NGK's and they should work great.

Same with the other Toyota tune up parts too.
Some like aftermarket wires, but I have had good luck with the Toyota ones.
Had bad luck with Jacob's when I had the '90 truck.

 

Yup, I agree w/factory parts for certain applications. I believe NGK is the maker of Toyota "factory" spark plugs anyhow and they've always been great in any vehicle I've owned.

My gas mileage has lowered the past while and I'm hoping the spark plug swap will restore some lost mileage and power.

If not, I may have to check into other things like the MAF and O2 sensors as I've pretty much checked everything else.

 

Ouch!! R series motor owners are happy about this. Changing my plugs is easier than changing a flat tire, no jacking!!. 2 ratchet extensions and the plug socket are all I need to change plugs. $8.50 worth of NKG plugs go a long way in a 22R(E) and there is no reason to skip this during your yearly maintainence if you can change them without taking the whole world apart.

 

The advantage of platinum plugs is that the plug gap does not change. On a conventional plug the gap will widen about .001" for every thousand miles. If your vehicle came with platinum plugs, I would recommend that as the replacement.

Also, platinum plugs take more voltage to fire, so if they were not there origonally, I would not put them in. You can get driveability problems. Some vehicles it does work OK. If it runs strange after installing platinums, go back to standard.

David

 

I would go with the NGKs or the original platinums and change them out every 30k miles.

 

NGK-R
V-Power

 

...three years later...