jimsgarage

E3 Spark Plugs–Not such a good idea

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So I was in one of my favorite auto parts stores and looking for spark plugs for my Toyota pickup truck.  It’s a 1992 red mini-pickup with the 22RE 2.4 liter, four cylinder engine.  They guy at the counter asks me what kind of spark plug I am looking for.  I told him that I wanted the best he had.  He has a set of E3 spark plugs which he claims are the ultimate spark plug.  OK, I’ll give them a try.  Less than 6000 miles later I am on the highway and the engine is having high rpm misfires.  This is bad.  So I pull off and hit another auto parts store.

I pull the spark plugs right there in the parking lot and look what I find.  These things are junk.  The electrode has so shrouded the spark that deposits are caked on and have raised the resistance so high that the plugs misfire.

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I don’t think I’ll be using E3 spark plugs any time soon.

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15 responses to “E3 Spark Plugs–Not such a good idea”

  1. Jacob Tomberlin Avatar
    Jacob Tomberlin

    The guy at my local store suggested the same plugs the last time I was tuning up my VW. Auto store employes are often pressured into selling certain brands and it changes monthly. I’m sure this month they have a new best brand!

    Reply
  2. supplespub Avatar
    supplespub

    I’m surprised you didn’t opt for OEM from the get-go?

    Reply
    1. jimsgarage Avatar
      jimsgarage

      Me too. The guy at the parts counter must have been using the “force”.

      Reply
    2. larry young Avatar
      larry young

      hi. I had plugs put in my ford f150 last june. in September one failed as the electrode was GONE ! now in the first week of November a second one has failed. so yes,these things are CRAP!

      Reply
  3. Bennett Avatar
    Bennett

    Keep it simple. Good ole cheap NGKs or Champpions are the way to go.

    Reply
    1. jimsgarage Avatar
      jimsgarage

      Yes – I went ahead and put in a set of NGK spark plugs.

      Reply
  4. spark plug question – Polaris ATV Forum

    […] Don't count on E3 spark plugs to save you money on gas E3 Spark Plugs–Not such a good idea | JIM'S GARAGE __________________ Craig 2011 850XP […]

    Reply
  5. Dan Joseph Avatar
    Dan Joseph

    e3s are the best there is i dont work at a part store or anything i just know off of mechanics and race car drivers thats what they say to use cause it makes the strongest spark and gives you most power and fuel efficiency also the reason more than likely it didnt work is cause your engine needs new heads or a compression check cause if it cant handle those spark plugs there is something wrong with the engine its self

    Reply
    1. Carl Avatar
      Carl

      when spark plugs get dirty like that is because of oil consumption…and losing electrodes are due to heat issues in the cylinder…those plugs are excellent when you have a healthy engine…i used them in a lot of my vehicles and never had any issues.

      Reply
  6. David Castaneda Avatar
    David Castaneda

    I had an issue with misfires and E3 plugs recently as well. First set I tried burned the electrodes down to nubs and so the company sent me another set after I wrote them a letter. This time #1 cylinder starts misfiring. I change the older but still in perfect shape 10 mm wires and it still misfires. I put an old set of AC plugs I had lying around and the thing now runs perfect? I’m confused?
    Dave

    Reply
  7. Jorge Moyet Avatar
    Jorge Moyet

    I’ve been using them in my 1971 Datsun 240z since 2015 (post date Sept. 9 2018) and I’ve had no issues. I’ve driven my engine hard with these spark plug with no issues. The problems you guys are describing are from preexisting mechanical/fuel ratio problems. You cant expect to take an old worn out engine and pop in some performance plugs and expect it to run without a problem down the road. That excessive build up on the plugs is a result of a worn engine that’s burning oil also incorrect fuel ratio can cause problems also, too lean could melt the plugs (excessive wear) and also cause unwanted mechanical wear and tear, Too rich leaves a lot of deposits on the plugs and foul the plugs. As I said before can’t expect a set of performance plugs to do wonders on an engine with issues.

    Tip: when my carburetors are running too rich and leave carbon deposits on my plugs I use a propane torch to clean the plugs and ready for a carburetor re-tune.

    Reply
  8. HJib Avatar
    HJib

    I believe E#’s are best used in small engines. I use it my 1971 Johnson 6hp outboard and the thing rips and with no fouling. For vehicle, I’d recommend a plug with a double, triple, or quad “J” configuration. Or even a split-fire, but I’ve heard people say those are not good so….

    Reply
  9. Doug Lybeck Avatar
    Doug Lybeck

    Plug ” Soot ”..Oil buildup usually is caused by seals ..rings…Or using to ” cold of plug heat range..Also spark firing always takes the least resistance..does not fire on all 3 ground straps..lridium plugs are great with there fine wire tip for a complete combustion..Always check your heat range from original plug….may need a change for correct burn!..Up or down…

    Reply
  10. Avatar
    Anonymous

    My friend I think you have more problems then a spark plug issue

    Reply
  11. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I bought a 1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty with a V-10 in it. It had 127,000 miles on it. The engine had a severe miss. When I pulled the plugs, they were in horrible shape. Two were even missing their electrodes. I wrote to e3 and asked them which of their plugs they recommended. Then I bought a set and installed them. No more misses and no more plug problems. The truck now has 215,015 miles on it and the plugs still look and run like new. What I have found is that most auto parts stores don’t really know which e3 plugs to sell you. I now use nothing but e3 plugs in all 7 of my cars and in all of my lawn equipment. They run really well when you get the right ones in the first place.

    Reply

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