Are Expensive Spark Plugs Worth It?
 

Is it worth it to buy $13.49 plugs (Denso Iridium LL) or am I fine with the $3.59 ones (Denso Platinum TT)???

My 2006 TL 6MT is throwing some misfire codes at me. As I test for which one(s) of the coil packs is bad, I'm going to replace the factory spark plugs as well. I'm going to stick with Denso plugs, since I've read a lot on here about sticking with Denso/Hitachi coil packs. Plus I'm weird and I like matching brands as much as possible.

Which plugs do you all roll with?

OEM plugs are NGK Iridium actually and I'd stick with those..

If you choose to deviate, ensure you are getting a plug in the same heat range, with the correct gap.

Or put down your nerd textbook and just buy the same plugs the car came with.

The advantage to iridium is the life span. Don't gap them or check the gap.

I glossed over this earlier..

You should buy Acura-branded/ marked up OEM plugs if you were truly 'weird' then :precious:


I mean, you drive an Acura, not a Denso car :bitelip:

They have the new Ruthenium plugs for our cars:

Ruthenium HX

someone said they are cheaper than the iridums for our cars.

Ruthenium?? Hehe, I thought that link would be to an Onion article :teef:

1. You can get the NGK Iridium 6994s on sale for ~$56.
2. How much is ~$56 when they last 105K miles / 7 years? Is $8/year too much for you to spend?
3. I've pulled 2 sets of NGK 6994s out of my TL after 105K miles each and they all still had the factory gap. I think these plugs could easily go 150K miles.

expensive plugs are over rated... just buy the .99 cent at your local Walmart.....

Are these the OEM ones?

Yes

but make sure you get 6, that's a 4 pack.
https://www.oemacuraparts.com/v-2007...oil-spark-plug

You can confirm the part number here

Thanks.

Any reason why not go for Denso for less money? Is it due to Denso not lasting as long as NGK?

Everybody's reason ^^^, shit who knows if the Denso ones last longer or not, we'd still buy the OEM ones.

It's a few dollars difference for 6 plugs that last 100K miles


:dunno:

You can lead a horse to water....

If the OEM plugs are iridium, then chances are that I don't need to replace them yet? I've got 140K miles on my '06. I've no issues with rough idling and gas mileage is unaffected.
However it's been feeling sluggish ever so slowly over the years.

At 140K on a set of iridiums? I would probably replace them soon, but don't expect that to resolve the "sluggish" feeling (the butt dyno is notoriously inaccurate, even for the best butts).

If they are iridiums and you replace them, check the gaps on them. I'd be interested to learn what the gaps are at after 140K miles.

Wondering if anyone's actually installed the NGK Ruthenium sparkplugs on our 3G TLs? Curious to know if they provide any noticeable difference in performance compared to the OEM NGK Iridiums.:dunno:

Get the NGK iridium plugs. Worth every penny.

You wont be able to perceive a difference even if there was a difference...
so why spend the extra dough on something YOU wont ever notice?

I've been participating on automotive related boards for 20 years now; one truth I've discovered is folks who buy "upgraded" spark plugs can ALWAYS tell how much better they are compared to the OEM plugs. They will post glowing reviews full of hyperbole to describe the difference, all the while the rest of us are shaking our heads and laughing at them. :tongue:

Negative, Ghost Rider, the ever reliable butt dyno will report fantastic gains!! :teef:

I was fooled once...bought performance gauge spark plug wires for my 2000 Toyota Corolla

the only difference I could tell was the color. a bright blue instead of the OEM black :precious:

Ha, good one, guys. I shall stick to OEM NGKs....but got a while before I need to change anyways. Car is only at 73,600 miles :shakehead:

I didn't know you were originally a slow crab...

of course, we all have to start somewhere.
my first car was a '89 Mazda MX-6!

Did you feel the Vtec kick with the performance wire? lol


some how you confused a G35 RDW with a FWD TL...… nice story how you got into the 3g TL.

The back 3 plugs are hard to get to, so I suggest you use OEM NGK plugs if you don't want any issues.

Is spark plug replacement really needed every 100k miles? Would I be wrong to assume that this can be stretched to well beyond 100k miles?
Assuming that gaps are within spec and there are no issues related to gas mileage or engine performance.

From my experience you can stretch them especially if you drive a lot of highway miles but you need to check if they are still tight. When I checked my sparkplugs at 210k miles they looked just fine but 2 out of 6 were pretty loose. So I suggest you at least check it they are tight.

Hey donkiboy…...I just went back and read your earlier message. $140K? you already got your money's worth out of those sparkplugs......it's time to replace them or as a minimum check if they are still tight. I replaced mine at 110K and 220K.

Has anyone used the new NGK Ruthenium HX plugs? They're touted to be the latest in spark plug technology, advanced iridium, They are right now they're a mere 11¢ cheaper than the 6994's.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...9130&jsn=52173
.
.

i would like to know this too as I am meeting up soon with the Canadian KMS equiv. for plugs.

RockAuto has them for a buck less than the laserNGKs... but allegedly are more conductive efficient yadayada.
Efficient is good whether you feel it or not, your machine has to adjust over time for spark that is lesser as things wear down.
Not sure why 'superior tech' is a buck less a plug from the same manufacturer.

I also see there is an NGK Iridium alternate to the NGK Laser Irid. OEM.
Wtf? Why two iridiums and whats the diff but price of a couple per? Anyone do the NGK iridium XI ? we hear all about the NGK Laser OEMs, wouldnt mind hearing the other NGKs

could have Supermanium in there... doesnt matter its wearing down over time, makes coil and alternator work wee bit more x6 to compensate as far as Im concermed. Whether feel it or see MPG better or not, I would figure a crisp 80 for a set (Chinada money up here in dictatorland) would ease up on other parts also wearing out over time. And will be dead, own nothing, 'and be happy or else Comrade' before needing it again

Ummm, what?

friends dont let friends post drunk

:chug:

Hey guys, I'm at 215k on my 08 TL, just bought it off original owner, extremely well maintained. I'm going to change plugs soon, as they are due, is it recommended to replace coil packs as well? Not sure if there is a service life on those, and if I have to smash my knuckles to do the plugs, might make sense to change the packs too...might even check valve lash if I feel ambitious, and do the plugs at that point, with everything out of the way.

I wouldn't replace the coil packs; if they're working, leave them alone. Over the years I've found brand new replacement coil packs are just as likely to fail at any give point as are original coil packs with hundreds of thousands of miles on them. If you're worried about them failing, buy an OEM, Hitachi, or Denso coil pack or two and keep it/them handy if/when one fails.

Welcome to the forum!

If you're gonna do it, might as well do it all while you're in there, I always say.
You probably don't need coils, but if you don't mind putting a few bucks in it, there's a great feeling of accomplishment knowing it's done.
(I'd clean and paint the covers and intake, too, but I'm OCD.)
When was the trans fluid last done?

Thanks for the input guys. The trans fluid... that's a great question.... I have every service record on this car since it was new, and not one mentions changing the transmission fluid, just general fluid level check on all the usual components. Considering he had it serviced at an Acura dealership the first 170k or so miles, that is disappointing. The car runs and shifts great, so I am very leery to try and change the fluid now. I asked my local honda service dept, and a local transmission guy I trust, and they both said leave it be at this point. I'd hate to break it trying to fix it, if you know what I mean.

Head over to the TL 3G forum and post pics on a new thread... :cheers: