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Crazy worn down spark plugs

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by oasmith, Jul 4, 2021.

  1. oasmith

    oasmith Junior Member

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    Any idea why the park plugs would be this worn down? It had been a little longer than usual since I replaced them, but probably within the past 150k miles. I've never seen plugs like this.


    PXL_20210703_202041894.jpg
     
    #1 oasmith, Jul 4, 2021
  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Sure.....Chinese counterfeit Denso plug?

    Maybe not tho, because they normally wear super fast on the center electrode...
     
    #2 TMR-JWAP, Jul 4, 2021
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Counterfeit was my first thought too. Also, I looked back and forth between the two centre electrodes, was thinking what the hell is he talking about; they both look about the same...:ROFLMAO:

    Are they supposed to be the same? Because the ink letters on the ceramic definitely looks different. Maybe ditto for the embossed letters on the upper steel barrel.

    How many miles on this car btw?
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Jul 4, 2021
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The new plug actually looks fake to me, not the old one
     
    #4 JC91006, Jul 4, 2021
    PriusCamper likes this.
  5. oasmith

    oasmith Junior Member

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    The old ones are Denso, bought them from the dealership. The new ones I got from the local auto parts store since I didn't have time to get to the dealership.
    352445 miles.
    After replacing all four plugs, EGR cleaning, IM cleaning, and another bottle of K-Seal (maybe the fourth one by now), the old beast is running much better. Definitely not as good as new, but much smoother and more responsive.
     
    #5 oasmith, Jul 4, 2021
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Det'nation?
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Jul 4, 2021
  7. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    If you're using KSeal then you must have had as what @ChapmanF notes. 4 bottles is way too much for the amount of coolant in the Prius. (I used 2 (small ones) in the approx 28 L in our V8).

    moto g(7) power ?
     
    #7 jzchen, Jul 5, 2021
  8. Merkey

    Merkey Active Member

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    My plugs after 120,000 miles looked more like the brand new ones.
     
    #8 Merkey, Jul 5, 2021
  9. oasmith

    oasmith Junior Member

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    Sorry, not 4 all at once. Probably 4 bottles in the past 125k miles.
     
    #9 oasmith, Jul 6, 2021
  10. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Did you figure out where it's leaking from? Our (V8) is leaking out the reservoir cap. (I didn't add the two at the same time either. I was topping off lost coolant and couldn't use up an entire bottle at a time. Then stopped at one for a while then added the 2nd part by part). Eventually I ended up suspecting it's causing higher pressure and leaking past the relief valve in the cap, as I replaced the cap several times and gasket with thick o-ring for a better seal. One day I want to do a coolant flush as pressure test confirms no more leaking except from the cap, (I guess or maybe heater circuit).

    moto g(7) power ?
     
    #10 jzchen, Jul 6, 2021
  11. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    The plug "wear" looks interesting and I would have stated categorically that they were counterfeit had you not stated that you got them from a dealer.
    As scummy as Toyota dealers ARE they "usually" do not sell cheap ChiComm knock-offs.

    Your car is 108 years old in people years.
    If it still moves under its own power.....I'd ignore the aches and pains and give it a little more time to get going in the AM.....

    If the new plugs work?
    They work.

    After all....you might not need them for 120,000 miles.... ;)
     
    #11 ETC(SS), Jul 6, 2021
  12. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    :eek:(y)
     
    #12 Grit, Jul 6, 2021
  13. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    How about engine oil? In and out looking as new?
     
    #13 Grit, Jul 6, 2021
  14. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    My first car was a '85 Mercedes 300D. Why the Haynes manual has pics of spark plugs I don't know, but looks like preignition. JPEG_20210706_081633_4166927384929582464.jpg

    Is the car burning oil? (New cars have LSPI) might look into oils rated SN PLUS or higher, or the ILSAC GF-6, (haven't sorted out a or b).

    moto g(7) power ?
     
    #14 jzchen, Jul 6, 2021
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