Iridium or not in 2VZFE

**RT104GT** · 11-12-2006, 10:31 AM

To use or not to use the Platinum/Iridium long life plugs.
Mainly because of the degree of difficulty in training my rat to change the rear bank of plugs in situ, what do the group think of use of iridiums?

And if so, are there better and worse plugs/

Champions, NGK, ND etc.

**JetspeedCamry** · 11-12-2006, 12:16 PM

I use NGK Platinums. Work great. Toyota use platinums standard, because of the difficulty of getting to the rear bank. Some have said they can access them, but i have to find a way to get #1 and #3 out..I have got #5 out, wasn't too bad.

**Shifty** · 11-12-2006, 05:49 PM

Some small maintenance items can be a pain to get to, however spending a bit of "unnecessary" time in the engine bay is good to kee in touch with what's happening... many a time working on a car I've noticed something loose, leaking, cracking, etc. Discoloured plugs can also give you a hint as to a problem that may be creeping up on you. That can help to identify a motor running slightly a little lean... which would be pinging lightly on a regular basis, leading over a period of time to problems like cracked pistons, blown head gaskets etc that might otherwise have been avoided.

I haven't had any experience with platinum plugs except that they cost a buttload compared to normal ones and don't seem to do anything much more. I've seen standard plugs do 25,000km and more.... and even then they still only get replaced as a matter of course rather than due to a real need.

One distinct advantage I can think of though is reducing the risk of damaging a thread in an alloy cylinder head. Having had a car with a spark plug thread crossed by a previous owner/mechanic, it really is a pain in the arse.

**Grega** · 11-12-2006, 08:49 PM

rt104
you going to run LPG?

**RT104GT** · 12-12-2006, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Grega

rt104
you going to run LPG?

Eventually I am running LPG in the tow car 15000 km so far and no problems plugs have done 50,000 35000 on ULP 15000 on LPG.

WHY?

**RT104GT** · 12-12-2006, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by JetspeedCamry

I use NGK Platinums. Work great. Toyota use platinums standard, because of the difficulty of getting to the rear bank. Some have said they can access them, but i have to find a way to get #1 and #3 out..I have got #5 out, wasn't too bad.

Its got NGK's in it but they are pretty black, you ever clean them mid life?

**Grega** · 12-12-2006, 07:57 PM

LPG is very hard on plugs.
Check to make sure that platinums will go the distance on LPG i think you'll find they won't - so paying $25 per plug might work out to be false economy
Check with NGK

**JetspeedCamry** · 12-12-2006, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by RT104GT

Its got NGK's in it but they are pretty black, you ever clean them mid life?

Nope, never cleaned Iridiums. I havn't actually had one set in there for long enough. I had put Iridiums in the back, and they were perfect, but when i changed the head gaskets, i put brand newey's in, so never really needed to.
However, on my other car, i have cleaned normal NGK plugs half life (because they were fouled with carbon/unburnt fuel) and it seems to not work too well. The plugs themselves were wet with fuel, and in some way, damaged the electrodes conductivness. After changing them for new ones (normal ngk) all was perfect. So unless there deposits on teh tip are only carbon, id recommend just going to buy new ones.

**timgte** · 13-12-2006, 10:59 PM

From my experiences selling these plugs, most people tend to get standard plugs and change them more frequently due to the stronger spark. But in your case being hard to get to, then thats the` exact reason the platinum/irridiums were made... To last up to 10 times longer.

**gtz1** · 13-12-2006, 11:07 PM

hi having used and sold both platium and iridum in your case i would stick to platiun as iridium are not happy if you are just driving around town or they have a tendency to foul up but perform great at high speed platium works ok with LPG check the price out on ND at your local toyota dealer they are quite cheap compared to ngk approx $13.00 inc gsr trade each that is

**minorobsession** · 14-12-2006, 09:43 PM

My experience with a highly modified morris minor engine that produces about twice the hp of a std engine is that is noticable when the plugs are getting old, so now that I have iridium plugs it stays in tune

For what it is worth I have platinums in my 4age 20v blacktop only cause I could not get iridiums at the time