Getting ready to replace the Spark Plugs

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by iskoos, Mar 12, 2018.

  1. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    I am at 145k miles (3rd owner) and per the service records plugs never been replaced.
    I am not having any issue but as a preventative maintenance, I plan on replacing them soon.

    Can you guys recommend the type and especially a reliable online store to order them?

    I normally order my car parts from autohausaz.com
    They do have 2 types in stock currently:

    1- BOSCH Fine Wire Iridium ($8.28 each)
    2- DENSO Iridium ($9.91 each)

    Is any one of the above preferred plug for Gen3 motor?
     
  2. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Hey! Sounds like a good plan, definitely go with the Denso. We've had a good amount of people repot mpg loss with other plugs, like Bosch over the years. Denso are fantastic and will last for a very long time (as in your case)
     
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  3. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    denso or ngk
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agree with both above. the oems are great plugs, and inexpensive.
     
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  5. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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  6. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Seems like I am getting Denso Iridium plugs. Though after checking different sources (ebay), I found the same plug much cheaper under the same exact brand (Denso) and part number (SC20HR11).

    ebay sells them (set of four) for around $27 (shipped).
    autohausaz lists the same plug for $9.91 each (plus the applicable shipping).

    The only difference I see is the autohausaz Denso SC20HR11s labelled as "Long Life". The ebay Denso SC20HR11s are Genuine Toyota/Lexus/Scion branded.
    Are there two different types Denso SC20HR11s out there one being the Long Life as claimed?
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Hate to open this can of worms, but was there a notice from Toyota, to go one step hotter? IIRC the 20 in the Denso plug number goes to 16?

    The dry thread torque spec is 15 ft/lb, and if you use any amount of anti-seize maybe 12-13? Or just stick with dry threads?

    Socket size is 9/16" or 14mm.
     
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  8. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Post close up photos of the old ones here, carious minds would love to see them at 145k.
     
  9. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Sure, once I remove them I will post the pictures here...
     
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  10. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    I will check the manual for the recommended plug type before ordering. Maybe I should have already done this...
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    You were on the money, this is from the Owner's Manual:

    upload_2018-3-13_9-14-11.png

    But there was some edict, maybe Toyota found they were fouling a bit, the engine running cooler than anticipated, so they revised the 20 to 16? maybe. For starters if you phone a dealership service department, and ask, they might be able to shed light. And also will give you a price. It'll very likely be higher than most anywhere else, but it doesn't hurt to ask, and you can hopefully clear up if there has been a heat range revision.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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  13. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Thanks Mendel. I confirm the SC20HR11 from my owner's manual (P. 562) which printed in 2010. If there is an update it surely won't show it. I got home too late to check with the dealership parts dept. tonight. I will check with them tomorrow and let you guys know the outcome.
    I will actually check with two different dealers to be sure...
     
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  14. 12voltman

    12voltman Member

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    Just got new plugs directly through the Toyota dealer . (I forget the actual Toyota part #) .
    The new correct plug number is SC16HR11.
    I doubt the Toyota dealer would even have the SC20HR11any longer , as they have been superseded to the SC16HR11.
    The dealers should have exhausted the SC20HR11's by now, and probably only have the SC16HR11's on the shelf for sale .

    I knew about the new part number before I called the local Toyota dealer , but didn't even have to bring it up . They already have the new ones in the system .I just asked for new spark plugs for my 2011 gen 3, and I was sold the SC16HR11
     
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  15. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Well then that's what I am gonna hear from them tomorrow. Mendel you are right it seems:)
    12voltman, how much the dealer charged you for the set?
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    I would ask dealership for price, but i find without fail other places are cheaper. Last time I was plug shopping a (Honda) dealership was around $24 per, and a small automotive retailer got them for me for around $18. Canadian prices btw, always higher.
     
  17. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Checked with two dealers in town today. Both confirmed the updated part number as 90919-01275 (SC16HR11).
    Dealer price is about $13 each. I found them for half the price online and ordered them. They should be here within a week.

    The price of SC20HR11 is much lower than SC16HR11. And I think the reason is because no demand for SC20HR11 anymore. You could get a set of four for as low as $15 (s&h included). SC16HR11 sells for twice as much.

    It is funny that we people are so freak about getting the most up-to-date part that we don't mind paying more.
    I have no doubt in my mind that if I were to get SC20HR11 and put them in, my car would run the way it is now and I wouldn't see any difference.
    In fact, the plugs in them right now most likely SC20HR11.
    But I am one of those freaks that want the most up-to-date part:)
     
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  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    If you've got Denso SC20HR11 (pretty much guaranteed) and they're not fouling, you'd continue to be fine with them. I've had ours out, around 60K kms, just for a look. Can't recall, but I'm pretty much certain they were the 20.
     
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  19. 12voltman

    12voltman Member

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    I dont have the invoice in front of me, but I think the plugs were $12. and change from the Toyota dealer .
    Yes, more than one would pay at an auto parts store for spark plugs , BUT , these are the correct Denso iridium factory plugs AND only the Toyota dealer had the correct superseded Denso plugs in my area . MOST of the spark plugs you find at the autoparts stores are not technically the correct plugs for the gen 3 . Most iridium plugs (that were not even correct for the gen3) at the autoparts stores were not exactly cheap either .
    I felt a little better getting the correct plugs from the Toyota Dealer , even at the slight dealer mark-up in price.
    On the gen 3 , there is a lot of stuff to remove to get to the plugs .....I only wanted to do it once !
     
  20. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    I would love to check them out but I cannot convince myself to do all that work just to see how they look.
    Once they come out, the new ones must be going in:)

    But as I promised I will be posting the picture of them here...
     
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