Lexus97ES

Did a long search but did not find a satisfactory answer to my problem. Well, I went to a Lexus dealer to ask for BKR6EKPB-11 spark plugs (the type my car currently has) but they said they don't have those. They told me to use PK20TR11. Now these PK20TR11 spark plugs are cheaper than BKR6EKPB-11 ones based on my search on internet. So what do you guys think and what do you use on your car? Thanks much.

Lexus97ES

anyone?

Lexusfreak

What type of plugs does your owners manual suggest you use? I have an 01' ES & under the hood it states to use only Iridium plugs as replacements (either Denso or NGK). The Lexus dealer parts department would be able to tell you what type your 97' should have for sure. If they are not Iridium, then for sure they would be platinum tipped, but use only what Lexus calls for.

Lexus97ES

Thanks for replying, LXF. I'm a total novice when it comes to spark plugs. Highly hope you or anyone can help me out here. This is what exactly is said in the owner's manual:

make NIPPONDENSO PK20TR11
NGK BKR6EKPB11

The NGK is what my car currently has. The problem is I can't find them anywhere to buy. Dealers seem to have only the cheaper type DENSO. Maybe it's OK to use DENSO, but I want to replace only what's my car presently has. Now are both types listed above iridium? how can one tell? and only iridium should be used for my year?

thanks alot.

cam2Xrunner

the dealer doesn't sell ngk they sell denso. both are just as good as the other. tip-autozone sells the denso platinums for 6 bucks each, the same exact ones as the dealer. the ngks can be found at kragen or others for around 12 bucks each. both are ok to use though.

Lexusfreak

TRD, are you saying that the dealer sells the Denso plugs but they are platinum instead of the Iridium? the sticker under the hood specifically instructs a tech to use iridium & nothing else 97ES, I would call a couple Lexus dealer parts department & ask them the question......do me a favour & let me (us) know what they say as I'm courious if they are in fact putting platinums in instead of Iridiums.

cam2Xrunner

the dealer sells both, i got a 99 v6 camry and mine takes plat, so i was fig his '97 es300 (same 1mz-fe) took plat too. but if it says to take iridium, def. get iridium. the dealer will get you exactly what you need. the iridiums are a little bit more aftermarket i believe. if you look on your hood it will tell you which type of plug to use. if it doesnt say it there check the plastic timing belt cover or the manual.

cam2Xrunner

ok i just did a search, and just like mine his is definitly going to be a platinum tipped spark plug. i believe why your '01 has iridium is because that year they use the vvti engine and that engine uses iridium. http://www.sparkplugs.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=&pid=9604

Lexusfreak

Thanks for clearing that up TRD, the VVT-i makes the difference here.......and yes the answer should be under the hood.....look up once the hood is in the up position & you should see the sticker that tells you what type of plug to use or again, check the owners manual or call the Lexus dealer.

Lexus97ES

Thanks a lot, guys. You've been very helpful. If the part number is PK20TR-11, assume this is platnum type, the equivalent iridium will have different part number, right? In other words, if I don't know and can't tell the different between plat and iri, then I can just safely go by the part number? Lexusfreak, could you post the part number for iridium spark plug?

thanks again

Lexusfreak

97ES, I have that information in my maintenance file at home.....I will look it up & post the part number on here for you. As a back up, you can phone the Lexus dealer parts dept & ask them the difference as well & our "books should balance" as our part numbers should be the same for the plats & iridiums. I hope to have that for you by the weekend if not sooner.

cam2Xrunner

Your 97 takes platinum plugs. PK20TR-11 is the platinum plug. The iridium part # start with IK-20. --DENSO


The ngk part #'s are BKR6ekP11 (P) for platinum. Iidium= BKR6EIX611 (I) for iridium.
ID

Use the plats unless supercharged(You're not supercharged are you?) then use iridium.

Lexusfreak

I think the Lexus part #'s might be different TRD. You missed a character in the NGK Platinums: the part # is BKR6EKPB-11 or stock # 3452 according to the NGK website. I agree with the Denso Iridium part #. I will still double check the Lexus part number(s) and post them here. The Denso site recommends to change the plugs (regular iridium) after only 30,000 miles. The iridium plugs that come equipped from the factory are have what is called an "ultra long life iridium plug variation" which is a totally different plug than the IK 20 mentioned here & chances are that's what the Lexus dealers carry as replacements that are good for up to 120,000 miles. Hence the reason for the part # differences as the part number is more than 4 characters at Lexus.

Ladie_Lexx

I have bosch platinum spark plugs in my lexus I believe the number was # 1107 or 11047..they seem to work great. they are always a possibility

cam2Xrunner

I've seen problems with bosch in toyota engines. You might have probs. in the future with misfiring. I wouldn't use anything but ngk or denso.