Different spark plugs on each bank from new?!?
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
![Unhappy](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon9.gif)
I just had the spark plugs replaced on my RX400h.
The job was done by my usual (non-official) shop, which I've always been happy with in the past.
In this occasion, they also did a good job as far as I can tell, and the car runs just fine.
But when they showed me the old plugs, which I asked them to keep because I was curious to see how they looked like, they gave me three NGK (IFR6A11) and three Denso (SK20R11).
They told me that each cylinder bank had a different brand fitted, and asked me if I possibly replaced only the front plugs in the past, which are obviously much easier to access.
But I never did anything like that, and while I can't be positive about the first owner, the car only had clocked 30k miles when I bought it.
This made me wonder if by chance they saved themselves the hassle to replace the rear bank plugs, and not having handy 3 plugs identical to the front ones, they showed me some others...![Mad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif)
Not that I have any reasons to doubt of their honesty, but I find it hard to believe that the car came from the factory with different plugs on each cylinder bank.
Or is that a possibility? Did you folks ever heard of this happening?
BTW, different brand aside, all the six plugs looked in pretty good conditions, clean and with a nicely normal colour.
Practically impossible to separate the Denso from the NGK, looking only at the electrodes.
Thanks in advance for your views.
The job was done by my usual (non-official) shop, which I've always been happy with in the past.
In this occasion, they also did a good job as far as I can tell, and the car runs just fine.
But when they showed me the old plugs, which I asked them to keep because I was curious to see how they looked like, they gave me three NGK (IFR6A11) and three Denso (SK20R11).
They told me that each cylinder bank had a different brand fitted, and asked me if I possibly replaced only the front plugs in the past, which are obviously much easier to access.
But I never did anything like that, and while I can't be positive about the first owner, the car only had clocked 30k miles when I bought it.
This made me wonder if by chance they saved themselves the hassle to replace the rear bank plugs, and not having handy 3 plugs identical to the front ones, they showed me some others...
![Mad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif)
Not that I have any reasons to doubt of their honesty, but I find it hard to believe that the car came from the factory with different plugs on each cylinder bank.
Or is that a possibility? Did you folks ever heard of this happening?
BTW, different brand aside, all the six plugs looked in pretty good conditions, clean and with a nicely normal colour.
Practically impossible to separate the Denso from the NGK, looking only at the electrodes.
Thanks in advance for your views.
#3
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Less than 4 years old, but I'm pretty sure that the 30k mileage was genuine, 'cause it was in as new conditions overall.
And I can't think of any reason why someone should have fiddled with plugs at that sort of mileage...
And I can't think of any reason why someone should have fiddled with plugs at that sort of mileage...
![Confused](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
#4
Driver School Candidate
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I know toyota used two types of spark plugs in some 4th gen 4Runners
#6
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yup, I did check that both models were of the right specs, that's not what I'm worried about.
My reason for dwelling on it (only up to a point, anyway...
) is the doubt that my mechanic might have pulled my leg.
Also because, if that would be the case, on top of having paid for a work not properly done, I would still have 3 old plugs back there, where even just checking them is a royal PITA...
My reason for dwelling on it (only up to a point, anyway...
![Cool](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
Also because, if that would be the case, on top of having paid for a work not properly done, I would still have 3 old plugs back there, where even just checking them is a royal PITA...
![Mad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif)
#7
Pole Position
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
BTW the 3mz is a little easier then a 2gr to deal w/ the bank one plugs.......
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