Counterfeit plugs?

After reading way too many ‘I got scammed on Amazon trying to buy OE parts’ threads, I realized that I purchased my plugs from Amazon a while back. So while doing a host of other maintenance this weekend, I picked up some new spark plugs from the dealer. Here’s the new vs old. Old had 70 or 80k on them (need to check to be sure, but it’s in the ballpark). What do you think?

 

The old plugs markings do NOT look right. The new ones that you picked up at the dealer look eggzactly like the Mama Toyota factory plugs that I pulled out of my truck a couple of years ago (first spark plug change on the truck that I bought new) and have saved for reference.

 

You have 2 different series of plugs there, you’ve taken out Iridium TT plugs, and are installing OE specified Iridium long life. Whether or not the Iridium TT’s are genuine, or counterfeit, I could not tell you off the top of my head. But seeing differences between the two does not automatically mean that they are fakes.

 

I have no idea if those are fake or not but knowing what I know about Scamazon, I would send those back. I will never order spark plugs from them or eBay.

 

It’s been a minute since I ordered them, but if memory serves, I ordered the plugs off of a part number and recommendation from this site as well as another. Could have sworn that I ordered stock plugs but it’s definitely possible that I ordered an “upgraded OEM” plug.

I wasn’t having any issues persay with them, just decided on some preemptive maintenance in case they were fakes. The difference in printing when I pulled them out is what made me wonder. The plug number and a few design elements also made me scratch my head; the ground strap seems to protrude more in to the cylinder but the ceramic is less exposed on the ones that came out. I might just have the stock plugs from when I swapped them out to compare them. With such a long plug change interval I was interested in comparing the plugs over time. Might have to go look for them.

 

OP, compare the laser engraving. How does it look?

The good news is they seem to have stayed intact and your engine is okay. So there is that.

 

There are several posts on YouTube on how to spot the fake ones

 

One key to ordering from Amazon (or eBay) is to ensure the seller is a Toyota dealer. There are several that sell on Amazon, like Conicelli, which I've ordered from in the past with good results. There's also McGeorge, who you can order from directly, at a discount, and get free shipping using "FREESHIP" if the order's over $75.

 

They don't look right BUT I will say the counterfeit plugs I had in my Sequoia a few years back had no electrodes left at all within 40,000 miles. They had completely disintegrated down to the insulator and caused serious misfiring to say the least.

 

Thanks for the input. The truck seems to run smoother and even a little quieter, which may sound a little odd. I’ve only run through half a tank of gas so no real MPG comparison, but I’ll prolly put another 6 or 700 miles on it by the end of the week. Either way, I’m glad I swapped them out. I still need to go look for my original plugs to compare.

 

I think the Chinese knockoffs would never have made it 70k miles. They are made with much cheaper materials that just don't last like iridium.

 

Just an FYI, I only use NGK plugs. I've used them in all of my cars and motorcycles for the past 45+ years and have been very happy with them.

 

Well, THERE’s yer problem…

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/real-vs-fake-denso-plugs-w-pics.60880/

 

I picked up a little over 1 mpg on the last tank. Could be legit. Could be temporary. But my vehicle usage and fuel consumption is pretty consistent and predictable. I don’t drive the same route everyday but I frequent many of the same places and can usually guess pretty close to what my mileage will be.

The truck really does sound and run much better. I’m amazed that it still ran like it did looking at that last plug without an electrode. I could feel a small miss at idle but it occasionally dissipate so I thought I was making it up. But compared to my sequoia I could tell it ran rougher. Now it’s much smoother.

 

Fake Iridium Densos SK20HR11s - toast at 20,000 miles. Was replacing the original coil packs at 135K on my 2007 5.7L and thought I should check a plug for giggles. Was shocked to see little nubs at a gap of 0.074. Was not throwing codes (yet) so the original Denso coil packs were rock stars. I noticed these plugs were coming out with difficulty even with the very light antiseize - wrong dimensions? Was not sure where I bought these plugs (no notes). After watching Care Car Nut, I decided against Iridiums (may the counterfeiters rot in hell and their engines seize up in rush hour traffic) and used old school 3381s. Engine is purring like a kitten now and the 30K life plugs means I will pull a plug sooner than I did. I bought the crap densos back in March 2019 and a posting on the 4Runner forum clued me to this. Buyers beware!

 

I've notice most of those gap checker tools are really off. Check them with a caliper.

 

Take a look at the electrodes in the picture: they have been disappeared. I have had the same knockoff plugs before. Trust me - the gap tool is not lying.