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Old 04-25-2020, 12:19 PM   #1
pcrawfordpt
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Default Counterfeit NGK Spark Plugs

Purchased some NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs for my 2015 Subaru WRX. These are NGK 90624/ILKAR8H6 plugs for the FA20 motor. Heard about counterfeits, so I thought I would investigate. Sure enough these were counterfeits. Wanted to share how to properly identify genuine NGK stark plugs. If you buy from Amazon or e-Bay, please check this out, and with NGK if needed, before installing.
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Old 04-25-2020, 09:21 PM   #2
idiosyncrisia
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Man... I put plugs in over a year ago, same ones. Bought off of Amazon. Never crossed my mind they could be counterfeit. A little worried now, but its a large expense to do it again. Even larger if they are fake and it grenades my engine.

Would a tuner have noticed they're off when tuning? I installed and gapped them prior to a tune.
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Old 04-25-2020, 09:40 PM   #3
pcrawfordpt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idiosyncrisia View Post
Man... I put plugs in over a year ago, same ones. Bought off of Amazon. Never crossed my mind they could be counterfeit. A little worried now, but its a large expense to do it again. Even larger if they are fake and it grenades my engine.

Would a tuner have noticed they're off when tuning? I installed and gapped them prior to a tune.
Not sure if a tuner would notice? It’s really not that hard to pull one of the front plugs. Remove the battery or remove the intake air box. 10-15 minutes max to pull one. Then compare to my video, and call NGK with the Lot# if you are suspicious. Didn’t want to freak people out, but if you bought them from Amazon or e-Bay, I would think you would want to check them out? Cheap insurance...
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Old 04-25-2020, 10:10 PM   #4
Doughdreads
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idiosyncrisia View Post
Man... I put plugs in over a year ago, same ones. Bought off of Amazon. Never crossed my mind they could be counterfeit. A little worried now, but its a large expense to do it again. Even larger if they are fake and it grenades my engine.

Would a tuner have noticed they're off when tuning? I installed and gapped them prior to a tune.

Same here, I replaced mine with Amazon NGK's last March, never thought they could have been counterfeits. So far they've held up 10k miles and gone through a retune.
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Old 04-25-2020, 10:18 PM   #5
fullah
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I have to check my Nissan now! bought NGK plugs on Amazon last year and have been getting tuning issues ever since. Makes me wonder if they were counterfeit and the reason I am having issues.
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Old 04-26-2020, 12:52 PM   #6
CGumina
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This is why everyone should buy parts from an authorized and reputable dealer. Amazon is the wild west of cheap/knockoff parts.
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Old 04-26-2020, 01:10 PM   #7
kbtwofour
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It's not worth it to buy plugs from Amazon or ebay to save a few dollars. Buy the plugs from a reputable online store or shop.
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Old 04-26-2020, 01:37 PM   #8
fullah
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It's still possible for places like rockauto to be supplied with knock offs as well no? I'm sure they buy from other suppliers besides ngk directly.
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Old 04-26-2020, 05:02 PM   #9
n7slc
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Add me to the list of Amazon NGK buyers last year. Time to yank one and have a look.
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Old 04-26-2020, 05:58 PM   #10
thiessentr
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Pretty good knockoffs... Thanks for the info. Definitely checking now
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Old 04-27-2020, 01:50 PM   #11
tegxsi
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I stop buying certain car parts form Amazon years ago. Too many shady sellers. Even if it's sold and shipped from Amazon I still wouldn't trust it. Who knows how inventory moves around in those robotic warehouse. It can easily get mixed up with the fakes. lol

it's not just NGK parts... Denso, Toyota, Motorcraft... all being counterfeited.

Rockauto FTW
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Old 04-27-2020, 03:25 PM   #12
dangerousatom
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They only copy the pricey ones. That's one of the many reasons why I don't use the iridium plugs in any of my cars.

Copper FTW
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Old 04-27-2020, 04:16 PM   #13
NighthawkSTI
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anything that doesnt require scheduled replacement for 40,000++ miles I always get from the dealer. Otherwise if you get a fake or subpar part with lower longevity intervals your car will own your time replacing parts over and over
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Old 04-27-2020, 07:01 PM   #14
WrightWRX
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Welp and I just replaced mine a few months that I bought from amazon before my tune. Looks like I’ll replace them once I retune later this year
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Old 04-28-2020, 12:56 AM   #15
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If you search online, theres several company bulletins to help you identify counterfeit Denso, NGK, etc. plugs. There have been counterfeits on the market for years now. The manufacturer will also have a list of authorized distributors. If the price is too good to be true, then it most likely is.
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Old 04-28-2020, 01:07 AM   #16
slimFA20
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i heard about the counterfeit plugs from amazon for awhile now. Went through my second set (amazon) recently because of a re-tune. My tuner saw some misfire and recommended I replace my plugs. They only had about 18k miles on it. I always suspected something wasn't the same since I replaced my plugs that came with the car. So, I bought OEM plugs from the dealer and compared it with the one in the car currently (amazon), it's identical. As far as the description from op's vid, EXACTLY the same in my eyes. So I went and replaced all 4 with the OEM ones an hour ago. My car got it's grunt back! Car fells like it actually has torque now. Going to crack one of those amazon plugs open to see if it has a copper core tomorrow. btw, the current amazon plugs I took out has less than 2k miles on them.
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Old 04-28-2020, 01:26 PM   #17
moby4dick
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dangerousatom View Post
They only copy the pricey ones. That’s one of the many reasons why I don’t use the iridium plugs in any of my cars.

Copper FTW
From Cars Direct: Platinum and Iridium Plugs
Platinum and Iridium plugs perform at a lower level than copper spark plugs, because they are less conductive and they tend to overheat. However, the overall longevity of these two types of metal is better than copper plugs. In reality, copper has the best performance of all three and the worst longevity.

The shop I go to only recommends copper plugs for the above reason, plus they're cheaper...but interesting about the counterfeit plugs, I didn't know that was going on.
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Old 04-28-2020, 11:43 PM   #18
NighthawkSTI
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moby4dick View Post
From Cars Direct: Platinum and Iridium Plugs
Platinum and Iridium plugs perform at a lower level than copper spark plugs, because they are less conductive and they tend to overheat. However, the overall longevity of these two types of metal is better than copper plugs. In reality, copper has the best performance of all three and the worst longevity.

The shop I go to only recommends copper plugs for the above reason, plus they're cheaper...but interesting about the counterfeit plugs, I didn't know that was going on.
The performance of the copper plugs is going to deteriorate faster such that at some point mileage for mileage the OEM irridiums are going to outperform the copper when they are wearing and the iridium is not.
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Old 04-29-2020, 09:20 AM   #19
noobultimatum
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NighthawkSTI View Post
The performance of the copper plugs is going to deteriorate faster such that at some point mileage for mileage the OEM irridiums are going to outperform the copper when they are wearing and the iridium is not.
THIS^

Unless you do not have a problem swapping out sparks more frequently, then iridium is best bang for buck mile for mile.
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Old 04-29-2020, 09:22 AM   #20
2slofouru
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We are talking 30,000 volts and above, at those voltages the electrical conductivity difference of copper and iridium is a non issue. If we were discussing a low voltage high current situation and were worried about losing a couple of volts in a 12v car audio system for example, we would use a copper wire vs something less conductive...because at that voltage level the devices will perform way differently if they lose a few volts. Keep in mind the core of the spark plug can still be copper, with only the tip being iridium, to keep efficient heat transfer.

You will see no performance increase running a set of copper over iridium tipped plugs. You will still have a super hot spark and they will last long enough that you won't destroy your spark plug threads from changing them plug so often.

But yeah back on topic, make sure your plugs aren't counterfeit. If you must, get them at the dealer. There is a reason you can find plug so cheap online, and it's not because the dealer is out to rip everyone off. Yeah, they mark them up a good bit at the dealer, but they are guaranteed best quality and genuine. Considering they don't need to be changed often, it's a wise decision to make sure they are genuine and not risk engine damage for saving a little cash.
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Old 05-21-2020, 10:37 AM   #21
grdprx
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Counterfeit spark plugs, unbelievable! I think I got Amazon plugs a few months back just because of the Prime shipping. Dang it, I'll have to pull one out and inspect it.
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Old 05-21-2020, 11:43 AM   #22
GK1707
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I ordered a set of LFR7AIX from NGK direct web site online, $34 shipped. Should be here soon
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Old 05-22-2020, 08:51 PM   #23
dangerousatom
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I have no problem changing plugs every 15-20k

In fact I check them probably every other oil change, as they are one of the best first indicators of a combustion issue
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Old 05-26-2020, 05:32 PM   #24
GK1707
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I just got my set of NGK 2309 LFR7AIX which is one step colder for all EJ motors. I ordered direct from NGK.

Here's a crapload of pics below. So far they match everything the video states. I think the most prominent identifier is the dimple in the very top.


















Hope that helps anyone else out who orders the step colder plugs and wants to ID check them as genuine
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Old 05-28-2020, 11:34 PM   #25
ObsoleteSeed
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Why did you buy these from Amazon, as opposed to just directly from the store? I mean... why save pennies when it could cost you dollars?
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