NGK IZFR6K11: Tips to Check for Authentic Spark Plugs

[@ChavezDIY]

***UPDATE - THIS INFORMATION ONLY APPLIES TO THIS MODEL, OTHER MODELS MAY VARY. CHECK VIDEO DESCRIPTION FOR CORRECTIONS AND MORE INFO***

[@olanrewajuolalekan5711]

I'm new person from Africa

[@thepowerofyourvoicepodcast]

Thanks for this video. In 2020 I purchased the NGK LKR7DIX-11S Iridium IX Spark Plug's for our Acura MDX and they have only been in there for 2 years and the vehicle has been starting really funny, so I was thinking something must be wrong with the spark plugs, turns out after watching this they must be fake. The tube over the plug is cardboard, the ink does not go through the box and is brown cardboard, not white like in this (even though they are different models), but still Iridium spark plugs. I purchased these off Amazon and just noticed reviews saying they purchased some fakes... It is really sad that Amazon is selling fake Iridium spark plugs that could damage peoples vehicles. They were Sold by EPFamily Direct

[@ChavezDIY]

It's unfortunate but Amazon has no way of verifying if the third party seller products are real or counterfeit. They rely on the customers to make a report. There are two review systems in Amazon. One is leaving a review of the product itself and the second is reviewing the third party seller after the purchase has been completed. Be careful out there.

[@joesixer]

Take this video with a grain of salt. I bought a set at Auto Zone, an authorized NGK seller. They came with a brown cardboard tube over them and they were made in Thailand.

[@ChavezDIY]

Read the video description and pinned comment for further info. What's the model number of your plugs?

[@joesixer]

@@ChavezDIY ILKAR7B11 (Part No. 4912) My box says made in Thailand but the sleeve isn't clear, it's brown.

[@ChavezDIY]

@@joesixer I will add those to my list of plugs to inspect from Ebay.

[@terran236]

@@ChavezDIY thanks for doing these vids. It's awesome when people take the time to help others out.

[@user-hd8ej8yx9p]

@@terran236 for real! i love the community that helps those of us who are less experienced and are more easily fooled by a good price on amazon. I'm only buying from AutoZone from now on. i hate being scammed, I'll spend more! i don't care!

[@trevornelmes9331]

It is important to know that if you are outside of North America, you will likely instead be buying plugs made in Japan, and so much of this video does not then apply. Where I am, in Europe, they are always Japanese if from official distributors, and the boxes are different. In Europe, they always have card sleeves, not plastic (recycling regulations). You can still do the light shining through test to see the part number. The biggest giveaways are the quality of the printing on the box (the pointed parts of the N are always rounded on the fakes), with fakes having slightly blurry printing, the quality of the part number printing on the ceramic, the batch number printing (on the hex) and the original does not have machining grooves on the round shoulders of the spark plug. Also, look very carefully and the spark tip. The tip should be silvery, but the base more of a golden coppery colour. Really hard to get a close look as camera phone autofocus that is not so good. NGK have some photos on their own website, but, as with all things, products and production improve. The lot number on the plugs is often a giveaway. The fakes often have the same number on EVERY plug made. So, I buy singles, rather than a four pack. Chances are you will have more than one batch number even in just four plugs. Because the numbers are done per lot, they rarely quite line up, and are rarely in the middle (vertically).

[@ChavezDIY]

Thanks for sharing that information!!! =)

[@trevornelmes9331]

@@donniev8181 It is a while since I commented. I sent one of the spark plugs off to NGK (actually, in the UK the company is named Niterra, it is few miles from where I live) and they were kind enough to check it out. I didn't fit them in the end, so time wasn't an important factor. But, I wanted to see whether the opinions left here by some was truth. The spark plug and packaging I sent was, according to NGK, genuine. Card packet, card thread sleeve. European stock batch number. The kind man also confirmed that packaging does very across the world, but to keep within packaging recycling regulations in many countries in Europe, all European stock does not use plastic in its packaging. Even the card boxes are missing any lamination. They do have the Japanese NGK web address on them. So please be civil, and remember that different countries may have different stock. YMMV.

[@swingmanic]

I bought some GENUINE NGK iridium spark plugs with a brown cardboard sleeve from a reputable supplier. Not sure I'd agree with the clear plastic sleeve.

[@ChavezDIY]

I agree with you. Some models have cardboard covers and other model numbers have clear plastic covers. Check the video description for more information.

[@truthtorpedo4068]

That one threw me for a loop!

[@CbMwaura]

Cardboard sleeve is usually OEM. Best ever

[@ChavezDIY]

***The information in this video is specific to the Iridium Plugs model IZFR6K11. Other Iridium model numbers may have real plugs that use a cardboard protector and may say ///JAPAN/// on the plug. For the longer version of this video- click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGapcpaYmLt6jLs FYI -NGK manufactures in Japan, US, and Thailand. Some models come with plastic covers and other models come with cardboard. Main places you should be worried about fakes is Ebay and Amazon 3rd party sellers.

[@geoki4539]

Yes you are right about that. I bought mine through O’Rileys auto parts store. And I went to a few Honda dealerships parts dept. and the manager compared my plugs they were matched side by side. Their Honda package however had the cardboard protectors also. He did confirmed I had the real ones and he also added beware of eBay and some Amazon 3rd party sellers. Btw great video 👍🏼

[@yamaha226]

Mine has cardboard sleave and is made in Thailand and was purchased from Rock Auto. This is all bullshit .

[@ChavezDIY]

@@yamaha226 You sound frustrated. The cardboard vs clear cover is the least of your worries. Don't get hung up on that detail, manufacturers may change this detail in manufacturing. Its the other stuff you should be more focused on.

[@yamaha226]

@@ChavezDIY Does Rock Auto sell fakes? that is why i went there in the first place as I thought they were safe. Says manufactured in Thailand on mine

[@yamaha226]

And yes, I am frustrated as I already installed them

[@larrysing]

One thing you said in here is incorrect. There are genuine NGK spark plugs that do have “Made in Japan” on the side of the box. They will have “EAC” printed above that.

[@ChavezDIY]

Do you have a picture (or link)? Are you referring to this specific model IZFR6K11 or laser iridium plugs of a different model?

[@ChavezDIY]

I found one photo of an Iridium plug that has "Made in Japan" and "EAC" , but they were for model number ILFR7H which belong to a Mitsubishi EVO 9. stmtuned.com/products/5245-ilfr7h-ngk-spark-plug-evo-9-mivec

[@brizzlefizzle]

@@ChavezDIY I also have real ones that say “made in Japan” I bought them at Napa and everything else checks out

[@ChavezDIY]

@@brizzlefizzleOkay, cool. What's the model number on your plugs?

[@brizzlefizzle]

@@ChavezDIY IFR7G-11KS

[@victorruiz2161]

Thanks for sharing this video I recently purchase fake spark plugs from eBay thanks to your video I found out there garbage I’m going to return the fake ones and buy new ones on the auto parts store thanks again well done 👍 people need to know about this scammers

[@ChavezDIY]

You're welcome! I wish the online marketplaces did more to stop counterfeit products but at the moment its up to the buyer to recognize the fakes and report the sellers. That's as good as it gets!

[@AbcAbc-dh1jb]

Excellent content, Thank you for making it easier for many of us. Bless you

[@ChavezDIY]

My pleasure! I hate sellers that sell counterfeit stuff.

[@pablogutierrez1009]

Thank you for a very nice presentation, concise and informative.

[@ChavezDIY]

Glad it was helpful! Check the video description for more information.

[@kryptik0]

My NGK plugs that I bought from NAPA say just NGK and part number on the opposite sides. The box is not transparent under light and it says Assembled in Thailand.

[@ChavezDIY]

Hmmm, that seems suspicious. Let me know if were able to confirm with NGK if they are real.

[@yamaha226]

Same with mine and they came from Rock auto

[@mohamedh0786]

The Fakes have got a lot better, so today it would be difficult to say, they are also manufactured in several countries, franchise auto parts stores carry legit ones, NGK makes OEM plugs for all Japanese , European cars and Ford. The only way to tell is by doing a resistance check

[@Dr.Octogon]

Just purchased NGK Laser Iridium from Rock Auto and they say Japan. Given that NGK is based in Japan I am not sure how that could be a indication that they are fake. I see that you clarified a bit in your details section so I appreciate it but it might create some confusion for people watching your video and not the reading description.

[@ChavezDIY]

I added info in the video description and specifically stated the specific model number of these plugs in the video title. Unfortunately there is no way to edit a video that has already been published to KZbin. This video was published back in August 2021. This was right around the time companies had supply chain issues and a lot of companies made changes to their manufacturing. Its nearly impossible to address all the changes that NGK makes in their manufacturing for every single model number, so I'm not even going to try, haha. Whats' the model number of the plugs you bought?

[@Dr.Octogon]

@@ChavezDIY IZFR6H11 4294

[@ChavezDIY]

@@Dr.Octogon Thanks and I'm sorry about the confusion. I'm making a list of Laser Iridium plug models to cover in a future video.

[@brizzlefizzle]

Might want to edit the video because you are wrong about the “made in Japan” being fake. Depending on the part number, certain ones are in fact made in japan

[@ChavezDIY]

There is no way to edit a KZbin video once it is published. The only place to add or clarify things is in a pinned comment and in the video description.

[@elduran8686]

Another great informative video. Will now be keeping on eye out for fakes.

[@ChavezDIY]

I usually buy my plugs from AutoZone but now that I know what to look for, I'm confident about buying from amazon and saving some money.

[@Tbird761]

It's my understanding that Amazon doesn't keep separate bins for different sellers but rather all NEW condition stuff is binned together no matter whose stock it is. As such, it may not matter which seller you bought it from if it is shipped by Amazon. You could get stock Amazon sourced or a third party seller sourced regardless.

[@ChavezDIY]

That's interesting. I wonder if an amazon worker can shed some light on that.

[@brentforte5950]

Now i know mine are fake i figured they were when I bought them so cheap im running them right now. Bad idea? They are working fine??

[@ChavezDIY]

I would replace it with genuine plugs from your local major auto parts store. Gives you peace of mind and you won't risk engine damage.

[@leroyusa935]

The tip off that they are fake is the price. When these counterfeits are sold by unscrupulous merchants at 1/4 to 1/5 the normal price and people should realize that's a red flag. Everyone is looking for the best price but to buy these with this much of a discount isn't smart. EBAY and Amazon sell in huge volumes and the customer reviews are oftentimes manipulated. Stay away from those unscrupulous merchants.

[@ChavezDIY]

Yes, the huge difference in savings should be a giveaway. What if the sellers start raising the price on the fakes...would that make it difficult to detect? When I buy from Amazon I try to make sure Amazon is listed as the seller, not a third party seller.

[@OreganoCaramel]

I bought OEM Honda spark plugs (same NGK plugs as shown here) and they come in Honda packaging but the protective cover was missing, are they fake or real? Or even worse, did i receive used plugs ?

[@ChavezDIY]

A missing protective cover is not enough to say if they're real or not. Maybe someone returned them and didn't bring back the protectors. You should focus more on the white powder, the shape of the ground electrode, and the color of the metal on the center electrode. If you're really in doubt, call NGK and tell them the lot number stamped on the shell of the plug and they'll tell if they're real or not.

[@OreganoCaramel]

@@ChavezDIY thanks for the information

[@K3vinPwnz]

i bought some NGK 6509 LTR6IX-11 Iridium IX Spark Plug directly from NGK website and it had cardboard protector and compeltly different box than shown on the video. are they fake?

[@ChavezDIY]

No, I doubt they are fake. I made this video during the pandemic and NGK has made some changes since then. There are also differences between the model numbers. The only ones you should be concerned about are the lower priced ones from eBay, stay away from those.

[@abdullahalamary4234]

Do rockauto online sell fake products? I bought from them and the plugs does apply like your video in some parts specifically the box is showing the number when i passed the light onto it

[@ChavezDIY]

No, I doubt RockAuto sells fakes. This video is a few years old and specific to a certain model of Iridium plugs. So some things are not going to match up due to changes in manufacturing and differences between models. Here is the longer version of the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGapcpaYmLt6jLs The main places to look out for fakes is Ebay and 3rd party sellers on Amazon. Check the video description for additional information.

[@chrisdeering3965]

Thanks Not only did I receive or ordered the wrong plug, They are definitely fakes too..thanks for the bad news twice. Lol..appreciate your channel man

[@ChavezDIY]

That sucks, but at least now you know there are fakes out there. =)

[@imyounick]

Hi the Tip is always Dark ? In some video it is Golden

[@ChavezDIY]

I don't know if it's always going to be dark. Golden sounds fine. Real plugs will come with a Nickel tip, Platinum tip, or Iridium tip. As long as it doesn't look like the fake plugs in my other video you're okay. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGapcpaYmLt6jLs

[@davidtran8750]

I bought a set(4pcs) NGK IZFR5L11-97932 it came sleeves cardboard tube made in Japan ,can you get more info legit ,thanks

[@ChavezDIY]

Check the video description for more information. Some models come with cardboard sleeves and some models are made in Japan, those two things alone will not tell you if they're fake. If you're in doubt, call NGK and provide them with your LOT number.

[@jaredlabriola]

part number ilfr6t11 stock 4904 from Napa, i have cardboard box the light can't shine through , cardboard tube protector on the plug and where yours says assembled in USA mine says part number, has a bunch of vertical lines going around the sides and other side just says NGK

[@ChavezDIY]

That's interesting, this video was published back in August 2021. It's likely NGK may has changed their manufacturing. There's also differences between different model numbers of the Laser Iridium plugs. NAPA is an authorized seller of NGK plugs so yours are legit. Check the video description for more information.

[@Bugkiller08]

Do these signs apply to all of NGK's plugs?

[@ChavezDIY]

No. These details are specific to the NGK Laser Iridium plugs. But there are different models of Laser Iridium plugs for different cars. Some differ a little like the location where they are manufactured, the use of cardboard covers instead of clear plastic, and the dimple at the tip. Check the video description for more info.

[@Bugkiller08]

@@ChavezDIY so, if the seller I received these from on Amazon is Overstockdirect, I should be ok?

[@ChavezDIY]

Yeah you should be good.

[@SlowCarsFastSFV]

Just replaced legit NGK Iridium plugs on my Mazda with Mazda dealership spark plugs.. short drive.. improved MPG..

[@ChavezDIY]

Awesome! Zoom zoom! =)

[@Picklejam08]

I won’t buy my NGK or Denso plugs online. Counterfeiters are to damn good. They can cover up all the issues you point out… then it is virtually impossible to tell.

[@ChavezDIY]

Yes these counterfeiters are really good. You have to really pay attention to detail to tell the difference.

[@andrewfarrow4699]

I won't buy NGK plugs at all. They are great plugs but even good suppliers can't be sure anymore. Fakes outnumber the originals now.

[@LuisPR90]

Mine says fabricated in japan but has the light straight has the white powder has the rose gold iridium. Has the orange triangle, cant look the numbers tru the box tho. It says in the asemble japan only

[@ChavezDIY]

Sounds like yours are good. The location of manufacturing seems to be changing since the video was published a couple years back during the pandemic lockdown and it also varies by the model of the plug. Someone else mentioned recently that their box was also not see thru cardboard. Just avoid suspiciously low prices on Ebay. Check the video description for more information. If you are in doubt, you can call NGK and give them the lot number stamped on the side of the plug and they can confirm if they're legit.

[@LuisPR90]

@@ChavezDIY yeah and the ngk is centered

[@happycat0411]

Some brand name plugs are only made for the Asian market and with that being said it is far too hard to try to make a knockoff for something not worth the time trying to copy. Most companies know it is far cheaper to buy goods made in China than buying the same goods made in N.A. Most of the time the workers at the manufacturing plant take goods with them when they leave the plant and sell the products off Amazon or EBAY to help supplement their monthly income. If anyone does get a deliberate fake item off Amazon, Amazon will return the buyer their money anyways. One requires way too many highly expensive and dedicated machinery to make a product copy. If the same company making the copied product could produce a comparable product then that same company would be better off to produce a product under their own brand name than to produce a copied product already on the market. A lot of Asian products are also much better than N.A. products but those products are only limited to the Asian market. Most N.A. automotive repair shops are really well known to scam their customers for at least a +$3000 repair bill each time their vehicle is serviced and these same automotive repair shops are complaining about "FAKE" spark plugs? Talk about hypocrisy.....!!!!????

[@ПетроВенгель]

The significant differences between fake spark plugs (in my case, this is DENSO SC20HR11 IRIDIUM) from the original are as follows. The central electrode did not have a laser-welded iridium washer/cylinder, and the side electrode had a stamped imitation of a "welded" resistance welding disk. These differences between the fake spark plugs and the genue spark plugs can only be seen using a binocular microscope.

[@ChavezDIY]

Thanks for sharing these details on your specific spark plugs. You're right about needing to get really close up in order to notice the differences.

[@Store-pc8sx]

Hi i am from srilanka.. I can buy spark plug for buissnes so. How can i contact

[@ChavezDIY]

Contact one of the sellers listed on the NGK website ngksparkplugs.com/en/about-us/where-to-buy

[@gymroskabachulskichorizins8813]

The originals you can buy in Europe are different, and of course it doesn't say assembled in the USA

[@ChavezDIY]

There are differences among models as well as differences based on location of manufacture. There's more information in the video description. A lot has changed since the video was created such as changes in manufacturing location due to supply chain issues. If you are in doubt, you can always contact NGK and give them the LOT number.

[@maskboyman]

Can u make vedio for boash? Please

[@ChavezDIY]

If I ever get my hands on some, sure. But I currently have no plans for a Bosch video.

[@mungurziyaad3200]

How much u you paid for a set of 4?

[@ChavezDIY]

I cover the cost on the longer video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGapcpaYmLt6jLs

[@adeelautosworkshop373]

Great information thanks

[@ChavezDIY]

You're welcome! =)

[@markcollins5026]

Man. why didn't you show us the fake plugs !

[@ChavezDIY]

This is the short version of another video. Here is the longer version where I show the fake plugs. Link in the video description: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGapcpaYmLt6jLssi=MG4E2LxxD0jD1Cfo

[@markcollins5026]

@@ChavezDIY man, thanks I just got a new Power Smart generator 2500w I'd like to get rid of the torch plug and put in a NGK BPR6ES !

[@ganuv]

Good video but not accurate, dartboard covers don’t always means it’s fake,and NGKs make their plugs in few countries even China, so the ones that say made in Japan are definitely original.

[@ChavezDIY]

See the pinned comment for clarification. I don't know if NGK makes any plugs in China but I know they have a manufacturing facility in Thailand that makes plugs for the Asian market.

[@umardurrani2412]

CAN YOU CONFIRM THE SELLER WHO IS SELLING REAL NGK ON AMAZON?

[@ChavezDIY]

The ones I have purchased from that were good on Amazon include AUTOPARTSAAA, CPS, and OverStockDirect.

[@PrestigeWorldwide-XXII]

Where do you find fake?

[@ChavezDIY]

I found the fakes on Ebay. The price was much lower compared to retail so I figured they were fake and confirmed it when I got them. In the video description I have a link to the longer version of this video.

[@m.lymann2185]

1:23 the real NGK will have a stiff cardboard paper protector and not the flimsy clear plastic protector. The author of this video should review what he post on YT.

[@ChavezDIY]

There is no consistency on whether they use cardboard or clear plastic. Due to supply chain issues some of the plugs are currently coming from their Thailand plant, which may come with plastic or cardboard. I don't know why people focus on the protective covers so much. That is NOT a clear and consistent indication of whether a plug is fake or real. Read the video description for additional information.

[@m.lymann2185]

Yes...you are correct. Crooks are keen to catch up on all the small nuances that differentiate the real goods from counterfeits.

[@nighthawkj30A4]

I bought these plugs not to long ago i got them from Oreilly auto parts. Same part number.

[@ChavezDIY]

Awesome!

[@nighthawkj30A4]

@@ChavezDIY yeah i hope there real

[@ChavezDIY]

@@nighthawkj30A4 O Reilly is an official seller of NGK plugs so you're safe ngksparkplugs.com/en/about-us/where-to-buy The fakes will usually be sold on Ebay and on Amazon by 3rd party sellers with a little bit of reviews.

[@PapaJohn1969]

Don’t be cheap when it comes to auto parts online. Always get items from your local hardware store

[@ChavezDIY]

Good point!

[@vasilbachev6592]

How made in Japan is fake when that's where ngk comes from 😂😂😂

[@ChavezDIY]

This video is specific to model number IZFR6K11 NKG Plugs. The older version of these plugs used to say Japan on them, but NGK has updated the plug to say, "Assembled in USA with parts from Japan". Counterfeiters don't update their manufacturing when the OEM update their manufacturing. So the counterfeit plugs still say Japan. NGK is from Japan but they also assemble and manufacture in others parts of the world. For example, NGK has a fully operating factory in Thailand where they make plugs for the asian market. These details may be different in other model numbers. I just don't have the time and money to inspect all the different NGK model number plugs and compare the counterfeits to the real ones.

[@peterpaulyzarri6942]

I have the part # or model code SIMR8A9 for suzuki gsxs150 and they have the carton cover made in Japan. I bought it directly from an NGK distributor during a moto show.

[@ChavezDIY]

Thanks for the info. NGK uses both cardboard and clear plastic covers. Some models will have plastic and others will have cardboard. That protective cover is not a good way to identify whether a plug is real or fake.

[@PokemarOfficial]

Nguyen is mostly made in Japan tho 🧐 why should it say made in USA

[@ChavezDIY]

The plugs I bought are for the North American market. The information is specific to this model of plugs. NGK makes plugs for different markets and they manufacture in multiple countries all around the world. Check the links in the video description for a full list of manufacturing locations.

[@amirmasoudmalali844]

Thanks Andپرسپولیس سرور استقلاله

[@charlonmusni2758]

Not all the japan made are fakes.

[@ChavezDIY]

That's correct. The information in this video is specific to the model number IZFR6K11. For more information check the video description.

[@ez_556]

Yeah maybe next time keep your facts straight buddy. I hate it when people post sh*t and not make their research right. Thats like people posting random stuff on Wikipedia like come on dude.

[@jeff666p]

Mine from rock auto says made in Thailand

[@ChavezDIY]

Those are good. I noticed other people tell me the same. NGK manufactures plugs in Thailand too. I wonder if during the pandemic lockdowns they switched some manufacturing to Thailand.

[@ez_556]

That makes absolutely no sense. NGK’s are made from Japan. Better yet the NGK’s that are made in US is unheard of. I have been buying this spark plugs from auto zone. Put your facts straight buddy. If you buy from online like a aliexpress it makes sense but if you are buying from you convenient auto store that’s different. Again buddy, keep your facts straight. This ain’t my first rodeo.

[@ChavezDIY]

NGK manufactures spark plugs in Japan, USA, and Thailand. Check the video description for more information.

[@ez_556]

Buddy go to their website and look it up yourself.

[@ChavezDIY]

@@ez_556 I think you need to look at their website yourself. www.ngkntk.co.jp/english/corporate/networks/index.html

[@ez_556]

This ain’t my first rodeo.

[@rtaggs8178]

Mine say Made in Thailand.

[@ChavezDIY]

That's okay. NGK manufactures in Thailand, USA, and Japan. For additional information check the video description.

[@SIMPLEGUY423]

Got mine on autozone

[@ChavezDIY]

👍🏻 good choice

[@mohdkhairizal693]

I saw a serial number at spark plug body.fake dont have.

[@ChavezDIY]

That's a good point.

[@mrstanskaggs1]

need to neuter the fake sellers

[@ChavezDIY]

100% =)

[@losthills5965]

Hi does overstockdirect sells genuine plugs?

[@ChavezDIY]

Yes, they do. I have them listed in the video description.

[@losthills5965]

@@ChavezDIY thanks man! I got them and started running tests if they legit😂