Tacoma spark plugs

[FINOCJ]

So I have been running OEM style copper plugs for my Tacoma for 100k miles (NGK and/or Denso). Just replaced my plugs with NGK iridium (same gap and heat range) for the first time to get a little longer life out them - not looking for performance upgrade. But now I am getting a skipping or misfire when under throttle at low rpm. Seems from Tacoma World forum this isn't totally unusual, but many don't have any problems. Anyone else dealt with this issue?

Think I am just gonna go back to the OEM copper style as they have worked for almost 110k with no issues - just don't like changing them so often (not the mention the wasted $40). Add to my list car projects for today.

[Spieg]

I'm certainly not a Toyota guy, but weren't the factory plugs supposed to last about 150k miles? I think that's pretty much the industry standard now days.

[FINOCJ]

Not on the 4.0 v6. Oem is copper plug not platinum or iridium. Owner manual says 30k miles although I push it farther without much issue. 4cyl is iridium and 100k miles, but not the v6.

[FINOCJ]

So these are the OEM copper plugs that I took out with close to 100k miles (way over their recommended interval). They should have been originally gapped at 0.041-0.044. Although these were still running, the electrodes had deteriorated and the gap was around 0.055-060 - kind of let them go too long http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/styles/default/xenforo/clear.png. But I also hadn't had a 'newer' vehicle that was still running copper plugs - most seem to have some sort of platinum or whatever that is good for 100k, or close to it.
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?media/20170609_170621.2177/full (http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?media/20170609_170621.2177/)



Here I pulled the new iridium plugs out, look like this after a few hundred miles from this week of driving. I rechecked the gaps at they are all still at 0.042.
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?media/20170609_170610.2176/full (http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?media/20170609_170610.2176/)


Ugly white coating like its running way too lean? This is all EFI with individual coil packs directly above the plug. Maybe the computer had leaned out the mix as the old plugs lost spark, but it should correct that back unless something is faulty with an emissions sensor? Its only misfiring when lugging the engine a bit (too low an rpm) and then stepping on the throttle pretty hard. As long as its in the main power band, it works pretty well.

From my limited experience, if this were my CJ, I would say it feels like its not getting fuel. It seems to have gotten worse as the week as gone on, but it hasn't triggered a check engine light yet, which I am quite surprised about.

[FINOCJ]

Heard some suggestion that it may take the computer a while to correct for the fresh/stronger spark and mix in more fuel. Its working against its 'memory' of a lot of more recent miles with the old weak spark. Wondering how long it takes for the EFI to adjust fuel trims - sort of thought that was a a pretty quick adjustment that was 'continuously monitored' with the exhaust Oxygen sensor and sent electrical feedback to the injectors to correct. Essentially it should be almost automatically.

I put in new OEM replacement copper plugs to take that variable out of question - still the same stumble when accelerating from low rpm. Just guessing - but maybe a bad injector? Will drive it around bit more and see if it either clears up or gets worse and triggers a check engine code. If this gets worse, it will probably have to go to the shop.

[Spieg]

You should be able to reset the KAM by disconnecting the battery. When you start up the first time after that, the computer usually starts at a default setting and goes into learn mode right away.

[Chris]

You should be able to reset the KAM by disconnecting the battery. When you start up the first time after that, the computer usually starts at a default setting and goes into learn mode right away.

Just noticed this. If it's like my 4Runner, and I assume it is, Speig is on the money.ull the negative cable, let it sit for 5-15 minutes and drive. It should "learn" in minutes.

[Jim]

This "Windows Support Person" says...

...we've come to have as standard "Did you reboot" - which we take as meaning for your computer...

...but for your car?!?!?!

<sigh>




Also on the list - power cycling modems / routers / printers - and now it seems: cars

[Chris]

But you get to be the savior of troubled computer owners by rebooting Jim! When I was a Mac tech in the schools I was a hero for fixing staff and student computers. They didn't realize all I did was reboot. :lmao:

Why should car computers be any different?

[Jim]

Why should car computers be any different?

Passenger entertainment & communication systems aside... the core components of automobiles - even new, sophisticated automobiles "should be" stripped down, single point of function systems - not general purpose "it can do anything, load the program" computers.

They "should be" single function capability systems that have zero deviation for inoperable conditions.

I believe my view is likely to stand alone in the corner and we'll have automobiles that have function issues. For now they are not safety impacting (aside from rare proof-of-concept tests) but I envision they will become safety concerns - not a simple engine mis-fire.

[FINOCJ]

Just disconnected the negative battery cable. Taking up to vail tomorrow. ..see how it works.

[Hypoid]

Passenger entertainment & communication systems aside... the core components of automobiles - even new, sophisticated automobiles "should be" stripped down, single point of function systems - not general purpose "it can do anything, load the program" computers.

They "should be" single function capability systems that have zero deviation for inoperable conditions.

I believe my view is likely to stand alone in the corner and we'll have automobiles that have function issues. For now they are not safety impacting (aside from rare proof-of-concept tests) but I envision they will become safety concerns - not a simple engine mis-fire.Grapes V.S. Cherries, Jim...

[dieseldoc]

At JIM,

As a mechanic I totally agree with you here JIM.
Engine managment systems have gotten way to complicated.
We now add in the ABS, the Traction control, 4x4 suffer(more on this), and now we have the ignition systems to start the trucks, turn signal systems have control modules now too....WTF:bang::bang::bang::bang:


So we have our selves a small fleet of dodge trucks
5 2007 3500 regular cabs 10 foot flat beds, with manual transmission not any real issues except for emissions stuff every now and then.
5-2012 cfew cab 5500 10 foot beds auto. These thing stuck....4 have had the ignition control modules done, 1 twice, 2 now have had transfers case shift issues. On case split clean in half at 70 mph as the electronic shift made the shift and completed it, the latest one tried shifti,g did not complete but did enough damage to require replacement.
The Borg Warner change is waisted change.
The NP271 was a good case we have 5 with going 300k on them.
2 of these expensive new things blown up at 95-105k
This seems to be a control module issue as these are electronic controlled Tcases.
We have 1 with the manual shifter.
These trucks are in sequential order mind you so who knows....
But at 9,500 bucks for these cases It best not do this **** carp again!

[FINOCJ]

230 miles of driving with no issues today - although most of it on the highway. looking like resetting the computer may have solved the problem (or solved it a bit faster than it would have on its own). Thanks!

[Danimal]

230 miles of driving with no issues today - although most of it on the highway. looking like resetting the computer may have solved the problem (or solved it a bit faster than it would have on its own). Thanks!

One other thing to check if it comes back would be tracking on the plug wires. I had a 1998 tacoma and as soon as I changed to iridium plugs I had two plug wires develope tracking inside the boot that would cause misfires. I'm not sure if it was a condition that was developing with the old plugs and got worse, or if it was caused by the new plugs. I replaced the plug wires and made sure everything was clean and never had another problem with it. That was the biggest pain to troubleshoot because the tracking was the tiniest little black line inside the spark plug boot.