Aristo722

So the manufacturer calls for double tipped platinum spark plugs, but is it ok to run Iridium? Would it be more beneficial? Or just a waste of money, debating between the OEM plugs (Denso PK16TR11) or if it would be better to pay a bit more for the NGK Iridium IX (Part Number BKR6EIX11) or NGK Laser Iridium (Part Number IFR6T11)

offbad

iTrader: (5)

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/7962411-post19.html

Aristo722

Just answered my question! I knew something like that was up! Thanks!

VIP161

iTrader: (3)

Just some food for thought. I recently bought a new set of NGK Platinum Dual Electrode plugs for my GS300. I went out to go smog last week and failed. My hydrocarbons (raw fuel) were high. I had a mechanic who has a ton of Lexus/Toyota experience take my car for a day for inspection. It turned out that the cause of the problem were the spark plugs. When I had bought them, the gentleman at the auto parts store had pulled each one out of their boxes and began gapping away. I went to the dealer and they told me the same thing. You're not supposed to gap dual electrode spark plugs. So I bough a set of OEM Denso plugs from Lexus. Everything is peachy.

Aristo722

Any precious metal plugs you don't gap, but I use a gapper to see if its right in spec. The pre gap is set at 0.44. But if you take your feeler gauge to it and it says its less or so, then you can gap it. BUT YOU DON'T GAP IT FROM THE TIP. Instead, you bend the negative electrode until it matches. Sometimes when you buy plugs, the manufacturer of the plug tries to get it as close to OEM as possible. But never hurts to double check, its crucial to do that to ensure even wear of the plug. If you put the gauge to it and it reads 0.44 then no adjustment necessary. But for me, I like to check that first.

So running NGK's is a bad idea in our cars? I was set on the NGK Iridium IX since its only $6.50. Compared to the densos at $9.00 each.

Aristo722

And according to offbad's post. The 2001+ models should run a Iridium plug, only the 2000 and older cars should run twin ground electrode. I have an 02 Model.