[Shop-talk] OEM Spark Plugs

[Jim Stone]

Thanks, Guys.  That all confirms what I suspected.  I hadn’t thought of the extra quality control step; that seems likely, but not worth the price difference.  I’ll gamble the $48 for the generic NGK plugs and report back if I notice any difference at all.

Jim

> On Oct 22, 2021, at 10:44 AM, MIQ MILLMAN <miq at bigllama.com> wrote:
> 
> Honda likely performs another round of quality control and tests the NGK plugs to make certain that they meet the needed criteria, and then brand them as Honda white boxed plugs.  I am not saying the added cost is justified.
> 
> If you go with the generic NGK you will most likely get the same thing (who's to say NGK quality control is any better than Honda's (or vice versa)?) 
> 
> This is similar to what Intel does with CPU's-- they test all the chips off a wafer, and the ones that don't meet the needed spec get resold as lower spec, slower CPU.
> 
> Personally, I can't imagine that there is going to be a noticeable difference in the spark output from a $12 NGK to a $40 HNGK.
> 
> 
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> On Fri, Oct 22, 2021 at 4:42 AM Thomas Coradeschi <tjcora at icloud.com <mailto:tjcora at icloud.com>> wrote:
> You are spot on with this. There is no point in paying Honda an insane premium for parts which they clearly source from someone else. Of course, I’m old enough to think that even 18 bucks for a spark plug is highway robbery:-)
> 
> Tom Coradeschi
> tjcora at icloud.com <mailto:tjcora at icloud.com>
> 
>> On Oct 21, 2021, at 7:42 PM, Jim Stone <1789alpine at gmail.com <mailto:1789alpine at gmail.com>> wrote:
>> 
>> My 2017 Honda Ridgeline is approaching its 105,000 mile service, which is a big one.  New timing belt is the main event, but Honda also recommends new spark plugs.  I did the timing belt on my old Ridgeline at 220,000 (it’s 3rd belt) but it was a PITA and I don’t think I want to take any chances on a newer, more valuable vehicle.  Spark plugs are a different story and the dealer gets over $300 to do those!
>> 
>> The reason changing plugs is so expensive is Honda’s price for the plugs themselves.  They list at $55 each, although you can get them discounted for the low, low price of about $40 each if you shop around.  https://www.hondapartsconnection.com/oem-parts/honda-spark-plug-dilzkr7b11g-ngk-12290r9pa01 <https://www.hondapartsconnection.com/oem-parts/honda-spark-plug-dilzkr7b11g-ngk-12290r9pa01>  But, here is where it gets interesting: The owner’s manual lists the plugs as NGK DILZKR7B11G, a number you can clearly see on the Honda box in the above link.  NGK lists that plug as $18 each (https://www.ngk.com/ngk-95350-dilzkr7b11g-laser-iridium-spark-plug <https://www.ngk.com/ngk-95350-dilzkr7b11g-laser-iridium-spark-plug>) and you can find them at Rock Auto for about $12.
>> 
>> Ridgeline owners seem to be divided as to whether the plugs in the NGK box are any different from the ones in the Honda box.  I trust this group more than fellow Ridgeline owners.  What do you guys say?  Are the plugs in the Honda box likely to be different and worth an extra $170?
>> 
>> Jim
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