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Are these counterfeit OEM Iridium spark plugs?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by CharlesPrius, Feb 24, 2019.

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  1. CharlesPrius

    CharlesPrius Member

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    Bought these 4 Denso OEM Iridium plugs on ebay, less than $17 TOTAL ($4.25/ea). They're 4x the price on Amazon, so I'm suspicious. They look like the real thing to me, but I wanted y'all's opinions before I install them. If most of you think they are knock-offs, I'll publicize the seller's name (though they do have 99.8% positive) Thanks.

    IMG_8123.JPG IMG_E8122.JPG IMG_8121.JPG
     
    #1 CharlesPrius, Feb 24, 2019
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Install them, keep your old plugs.

    Toyota actually has changed that part number for the gen3 cars, they recommend a hotter plug now. But the ones you have won't hurt
     
    #2 JC91006, Feb 24, 2019
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  3. CharlesPrius

    CharlesPrius Member

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    Thanks. What is the new part number for spark plugs?
     
    #3 CharlesPrius, Feb 24, 2019
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    SC16 instead of SC20
     
    #4 JC91006, Feb 24, 2019
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  5. CharlesPrius

    CharlesPrius Member

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    Thank you!
     
    #5 CharlesPrius, Feb 25, 2019
  6. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    Where did they ship from?

    I ordered a set off ebay or Amazon... they came from China. Like yours the boxes were labled "Made in Japan." So if I'm to believe what's printed on the box, my plugs were manufactured in Japan, then shipped to China, before being ultimately shipped to me in America. I would say that scenario is HIGHLY unlikey. Also, the boxes were of low quality -- thin cardboard with glue that was failing to keep them together.

    Having said that, I did install them and they are functioning fine. I did keep the originals -- just in case.
     
    #6 tvpierce, Feb 25, 2019
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  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    It could be China gets the parts cheaper than USA. They have cars there that uses these parts, they just resell them
     
    #7 JC91006, Feb 25, 2019
  8. Pdaddy

    Pdaddy Member

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    Seems suspect. Better to ensure you havr true OEM.

    SM-G920V ?
     
    #8 Pdaddy, Feb 25, 2019
  9. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Since you have them go ahead and run them and let us know, if they work, they work.
     
    #9 padroo, Feb 25, 2019
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Many times the retail prices are controlled by the manufacturers. So the prices in the USA may not be what other markets get the same items for.

    An example would be the pricing for commodity (A) is priced fixed (msrp) at $15. But foreign markets can buy this at $5 and still send it to the USA and sell for $10. It's not fake, just the middle man charges are a whole lot less.
     
    #10 JC91006, Feb 25, 2019
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  11. CharlesPrius

    CharlesPrius Member

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    ye of much faith
     
    #11 CharlesPrius, Feb 25, 2019
  12. CharlesPrius

    CharlesPrius Member

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    getting 52-55mpg with current setup, not sure why i bought these, but when i install them i will lyk
     
    #12 CharlesPrius, Feb 25, 2019
  13. CharlesPrius

    CharlesPrius Member

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    shipt from California (is that USA?)
     
    #13 CharlesPrius, Feb 25, 2019
  14. CharlesPrius

    CharlesPrius Member

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    true... the govt owns every industry in china
     
    #14 CharlesPrius, Feb 25, 2019
  15. CharlesPrius

    CharlesPrius Member

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    yeah... maybe a tariff deal too... idk.
     
    #15 CharlesPrius, Feb 25, 2019
  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You can bundle up some maintenance items when you do these plugs. It'll give you a lot more room to do some work.

    1. Clean out EGR circuit and cooler.
    2. Change coolant
    3. Clean intake manifold and ports
    4. Change PCV valve
    5. Clean throttle body and MAF sensor (remember to plug this back in, many forget and get Check engine light)
    6. And of course, change the sparkplugs
     
    #16 JC91006, Feb 25, 2019
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  17. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    I don't think this statement is correct.

    They do own most of the large industries.
     
    #17 padroo, Feb 25, 2019
  18. CharlesPrius

    CharlesPrius Member

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    perhaps not technically true, but effectively true. and more and more so in our own land, unfortunately.
     
    #18 CharlesPrius, Feb 25, 2019
  19. CharlesPrius

    CharlesPrius Member

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    Thanks!
     
    #19 CharlesPrius, Feb 25, 2019
  20. MichaelKnight

    MichaelKnight Junior Member

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    #20 MichaelKnight, Feb 26, 2019
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