As a qualified auto mechanic with many years of experience, I find it so hard to believe that some mechanics are fitting the wrong spark plugs into car engines and usually of the wrong specifications.

Furthermore, I have also found out that a lot of them are also mixing new spark plugs with old ones especially on v6 or v8 engines with cylinder heads bank that are close to the bulkhead where access to spak plugs is restricted.

So, for example a v6 2007 Toyota SIenna engine like the one I'm working on right now has 3 denso copper spark plugs on the front bank of the cylinder head while on the rear bank the spark plugs there are old original platinum spark plugs that have seen better days.

I believe that during the course of this cars routine maintenance, someone decided to change only the plugs on the front bank which can be easily removed and neglected the rear bank spark plugs because of the difficulty involved as it would require the top inlet manifold removed to have access. This car has been running badly due to the fact that the wrong plugs have beeen fitted and mixed and matched with originally specified spark plugs.

This has also posed a serious challenge to any technician trying to diagnose the most obvious "on the surface" possibilities on what may be wrong.

The consequences of this will result in poor engine performance, high fuel consumption, damage to engine and emmision components such as the oxygen sensors, catalytic converters, engine valves, piston crowns etc.
It will also inadvertently create a money pit due to constant refuelling, visits to mechanic workshops, unnecesary purchase of parts and so on.

My advice is to please beware of what plugs your engine in running on and replace to the correct specified OEM spark plugs.

Notive the difference in the spark plugs in the picture as I had described.

COPPER PLUGS??!!!! on a 2006 vehicle?

that is abuse, copper plugs will consume fuel, cause soot to form in ur engines etc...
peeps should be more car savvy, that way the mechanics wont be taking them for a ride...

thats y i wudnt even advice my enemy to buy a naija used car....unless he knows the previous owner and he is technically sound and not miserly

Good post, that's y i love Car talk.

Always learn something new here.


Pls Op, i have NGK spark plugs in my 2005 4cyl accord presently. Though, cnt detect the metal component it is.

lacasa: Good post, that's y i love Car talk.

Always learn something new here.


Pls Op, i have NGK spark plugs in my 2005 4cyl accord presently. Though, cnt detect the metal component it is.

Your 2005 Honda Accord 4cylinder engine should be running on NGK Iridium IZFR6K-11 spark plugs. Quite expensive but that's the OEM spec.

nairalanders, can somebody pleas help me out? i had an opel omega wagon old model when i start d engine it vibrate until i acelerate a litle bit before d slow run can balance. i hv changed d plugs several time but d problem persist. besides i hv servic d injector, change fuel pump but d thing do repeat itself. can any guru advic on what to do because it consumed my fuels

car-doctor:



Your 2005 Honda Accord 4cylinder engine should be running on NGK Iridium IZFR6K-11 spark plugs. Quite expensive but that's the OEM spec.

Oк sir.

Will take this specs along to get them asap.

Good job, keep it up and God bless.

blaccky: nairalanders, can somebody pleas help me out? i had an opel omega wagon old model when i start d engine it vibrate until i acelerate a litle bit before d slow run can balance. i hv changed d plugs several time but d problem persist. besides i hv servic d injector, change fuel pump but d thing do repeat itself. can any guru advic on what to do because it consumed my fuels

dirty throttle body and idle air control valves are the usual culprit..do get them clean...dont use petrol!!!,
use throttle body cleaner........

blaccky: nairalanders, can somebody pleas help me out? i had an opel omega wagon old model when i start d engine it vibrate until i acelerate a litle bit before d slow run can balance. i hv changed d plugs several time but d problem persist. besides i hv servic d injector, change fuel pump but d thing do repeat itself. can any guru advic on what to do because it consumed my fuels

Most likely culprit could be the injector nozzles. If your nozzles are bad and not spraying properly on engine idle, the chances are that the engine idle speed will not be consistent unless the throttle is opened for more fuel pressure to be built up and a stronger spray is delivered. Your complaint of high fuel consumption is also valid as a bad fuel injector nozzle may deliver fuel than required as may be in your case. Cleaning the nozzles doesn't necessarily mean that they are working ok. I will advice that youu replace them completely with new ones.

Also have a look at your stepper motor (injector head as its called here in naija) and replace it if necessary.

what tyoe of spark plug to use for honda civic 2001 four cylinder

Pls what type of spark plug do i use for my 2002 c240 mercedes benz?

yyb14: what tyoe of spark plug to use for honda civic 2001 four cylinder

NGk ZFR61X-11 are the recommended OEM spark plugs for your car. May be a bit difficult getting hold of them.

These ones came out of a Honda EOD. Wrong spark plugs with one of them completely different. The one on the right is a different make and specification.

These ones came out of a 2006 BMW 320i. All of them were completely different. Notice the one on the left which is a long reach plug that may end up damaging the piston crown or cylinder head. SMH

Which is why I always ask owners with problem what they/their mechanic did prior.

really really amazing...............these mechanics are really killing people slowly.....thats why i do my oil and plugs myself...its just when i did brake work or shock work which comes up about once in 2yrs that i know mechanics exist.
the trick is to buy a clean car.........that way you wudnt hv any major biz with mechanics

@car-doctor, please what is the recommended spark plug for 2.4 ltr 2002 toyota camry?

Cruise-z:
@car-doctor, please what is the recommended spark plug for 2.4 ltr 2002 toyota camry?

I answered my question via toyota.com

Spark plug type:
DENSO SK20R11
NGK IFR6A11
Spark plug gap, mm(in.):
1.1 (0.043)


Where can i buy any of the two?

You know what ?! After going through so many articles and threads on the auto & car talk section, the level of ignorance displayed by some car owners almost makes you cry . There are somethings that as a car owner you should be knowledgeable about and have a say in when servicing your vehicle. Leaving yourself at the complete mercy of our local mechanics will cost you time, money and give you high BP. I once saw a mechanic hammering away at the engine of a 2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6. You should have seen the way my mouth dropped open with the "Alhaji" happily chattering away with some other customers sitting on a mat. A sound advice to any car owner is always read your car owners manual. If your vehicle didn't come with one, buy one or download it from the internet. A car owners manual will list all the needed maintenance schedule, engine oil, spare parts model/types to be used on your vehicle. A good OBDII diagnostic scanner will also come in handy in figuring out basic car problems before handing it over to a mechanic. Let's all be informed as it will not be a smart decision spending such a large amount on buying a car and then coz of lack of knowledge, an ignorant road side quack will be carrying hammer and knacking your car engine.

car-doctor:



NGk ZFR61X-11 are the recommended OEM spark plugs for your car. May be a bit difficult getting hold of them.

ok thnkss

@car_doctor, yesterday i changed my car spark plugs to new 6 champions plugs. I drive merc v boot 6 plugs engine sportline. The engine of the car goes if i accelalate esp if parked for 3 days. I was told to change the plugs and tune the engine higher to atleast 10 rpm. I did as i was told. But the problem now is that the car cannot acceralate properly. You have to press hard before it will move contrary to what it was. I confonted the mech man he said he merely tune the engine from inside. I'm confused. I dont know what to do next.

Res-pect:
@car_doctor, yesterday i changed my car spark plugs to new 6 champions plugs. I drive merc v boot 6 plugs engine sportline. The engine of the car goes if i accelalate esp if parked for 3 days. I was told to change the plugs and tune the engine higher to atleast 10 rpm. I did as i was told. But the problem now is that the car cannot acceralate properly. You have to press hard before it will move contrary to what it was. I confonted the mech man he said he merely tune the engine from inside. I'm confused. I dont know what to do next.

I have a strong feeling that your car may be suffering from clogged up injector nozzles and not nececesarily your plugs.

If you have been using a lot of injector cleaner in your fuel tank there is a possibility that the nozzle mouths of your injectors have been clogged up by residues from the injector cleaners.

Ask your mechanic to service your injector nozzles and also to check the fuel pressure from your fuel pump.

Another culprit may be dirty fuel filter. Ask him to check that also.

Abeg I have a 2000 W202 C230 kompressor ever since I changed the original benz plugs cnt find a similar replacement. Which NKG will be suitable for my car?

Now I will go find exactly the plug for my Camry 2.2! I noticed the difference. But the last time I checked, i couldnt find it.

car-doctor:


I have a strong feeling that your car may be suffering from clogged up injector nozzles and not nececesarily your plugs.

If you have been using a lot of injector cleaner in your fuel tank there is a possibility that the nozzle mouths of your injectors have been clogged up by residues from the injector cleaners.

Ask your mechanic to service your injector nozzles and also to check the fuel pressure from your fuel pump.

Another culprit may be dirty fuel filter. Ask him to check that also.

thank sir, i hope my choice of champion plugs are okay.

Res-pect:
thank sir, i hope my choice of champion plugs are okay.

They may be ok but I would rather recommend NGk BP6ES.

car-doctor:


They may be ok but I would rather recommend NGk BP6ES.

car-doctor, do you have any of these two for sale?
DENSO SK20R11
NGK IFR6A11

I am based in Lagos.

car-doctor:


They may be ok but I would rather recommend NGk BP6ES.

what i removed from the car was. NGK BKR5E. Is it the same? Is champion plugs nigerian made?

car-doctor:



Your 2005 Honda Accord 4cylinder engine should be running on NGK Iridium IZFR6K-11 spark plugs. Quite expensive but that's the OEM spec.

Good day. Any idea where to source these and cost? Anybody

Pls any idea for possible replacement for this bosch plugs from my benz W202 C230K, bosch-F7KTCR germany.885 R1.

i can help you buy any type of plugs you want for your car.....but am based in benin, though i sometimes go to portharourt.....so how would we transact the deal?...as i can see most people who want the plugs are in lagos/abuja?

cretin: i can help you buy any type of plugs you want for your car.....but am based in benin, though i sometimes go to portharourt.....so how would we transact the deal?...as i can see most people who want the plugs are in lagos/abuja?

am based in kaduna. how much will 4plugs cost?