How to distinguish a real spark plug from a fake one

Has this ever happened to you - you bought a product from a well-known brand, and then realized that it was a fake? Unfortunately, as with many premium products, this can happen even with NGK SPARK PLUG parts. Moreover, not long ago, specialists from the company’s Technical Service Center were faced with the consequences of using counterfeit CR9EIX spark plugs - engine damage as a result of the melting of the central electrode. To warn its customers, NGK SPARK PLUG has compiled a Guide on how to distinguish a fake by 5 signs.

According to a study published by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the European economy loses up to 60 billion euros annually as a result of the presence of counterfeit products on the market, which is 7.5% of the volume of goods sold in the EU. And this is not to mention the separate damage suffered by deceived buyers.

But is it really that important that the spark plugs are real? Yes, that's actually true. NGK SPARK Plug technical service specialists have become aware of cases of purchases of NGK CR9EIX spark plugs via the Internet that turned out to be counterfeits. “These spark plugs melted and damaged our customers' vehicle engines. It’s annoying, it costs money, but most importantly, it can be avoided,” says Kai Wilschrey, NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE Technical Manager for Aftermarket and Aftermarket EMEA at NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE.

How to distinguish a fake from the original?

“Original NGK CR9EIX spark plugs have an iridium-tipped center electrode. This material has a very high melting point. It’s very hard and durable,” Kai explains. “Fake spark plugs do not have iridium on the central electrode. They have a standard nickel electrode, turned on a lathe, which makes it look like iridium,” he continues. “Therefore, the fake is very fragile and cannot withstand heat. This weak point causes the center electrode to melt and damage the engine.”

It is better to buy an original spark plug

Summarizing this article, we can conclude that, as a rule, a fake spark plug can be seen immediately by its overall poor quality of workmanship, since artisanal production methods do not allow achieving factory precision and clarity of the shape of the spark plug.

The Auto-Candles online store cooperates only with trusted suppliers; from us you can buy only original auto-candles from Bosch, Denso and NGK at an adequate price. There are all necessary quality certificates. The products meet safety requirements and are certified for use in the Russian Federation. We will deliver your purchase throughout Russia.

What to do if you have doubts?

Here are some tips from the NGK SPARK PLUG technical department: “If you are in doubt about whether a product is original, follow our 5-Step Guide. Please review the images below and compare them with the appearance of the product you are unsure about.”

Brand marking

Look at the writing on the surface of the spark plug. If the font is different from the one shown in the photo (left), or poorly printed (blurred), this may be a sign of a fake.

Pressed part

Carefully inspect the pressed part of the spark plug. Traces of metalworking on it should alert you, as this is a sign of a fake.

Nut (hexagon)

Then inspect the hexagon. If the batch number is missing and/or is printed using a font different from that shown in the photo below (left), this indicates that this is a fake.

The section of the body under the nut is semicircular in shape

Inspect the area of the body under the nut (semicircular shape). If you see traces of metalworking on a metal surface, this, again, is a sign of a fake.

Electrodes

Finally, take a close look at the shape of the electrodes. If it is different from the one shown in the photo on the left, be careful.

How to choose NGK spark plugs: decoding the markings

Each spark plug from the NGK manufacturer is individually marked. The alphanumeric combination characterizes its applicability for specific conditions and the motor, which is extremely important for the buyer to know. Unlike other companies, NGK products are strictly standardized.

Now let’s look at two illustrative examples of how to choose the right NGK spark plugs based on the combination of marking letters, depending on the location of which the method of reading it also changes.

Example No. 1: decoding of NGK spark plug markings with the first letters A, B, C, D, E, AB, BC, BK, DC

NGK spark plug markings.
For example, let's take a spark plug from the NGK line marked BPR7ES-11:

The first one or two letters indicate the diameter of the thread/hexagon. The letter B is 14 mm / 20.8 mm. Size values vary depending on what specific letter or combination of letters is written.
The second letter reflects the structure. The letter P from the example is a modification with a protruding insulator.
The third letter is the type of resistor that suppresses interference. The letter R from the example means the presence of a resistor.
The number - an extremely important parameter in choosing a candle - means the heat number. Number 7 from the example characterizes the candle as medium, that is, neither cold nor hot.
The fourth letter in the marking is the length of the thread. The letter E from the example is equal to 19 mm.
The fifth letter characterizes the design features. S in the example means standard type.
The number located after the dash indicates the size of the gap between the electrodes. 11 – equal to 1.1 mm.

Example No. 2: decoding the marking of NGK spark plugs with the first letters D, I, L, P, S, Z

Decoding NGK spark plugs.
In this example, assume that you need to decipher the marking of a spark plug from the manufacturer NGK with the inscription SGR2P-10:

The first letter indicates the type of candle. The letter S means that the spark plug has increased ignition reliability; its design has a square-shaped platinum insert. It should be remembered here that several letters written in a row can be used to designate the type of candle.
The second letter is either the size of the thread itself, or the parameters of the hex key opening. The G in the example stands for 14mm thread or 19mm O-ring solution.
The third letter stands for noise suppression resistor. The letter R stands for resistor.
The number characterizes the heat value. So, number 2 from the example indicates that the candle is hot.
The fourth letter shows design features. From example P is a platinum electrode.
The number following the dash shows the size of the gap between the electrodes. In the example it is 1 mm.

Important! When choosing NGK brand spark plugs, rely solely on the official instructions given by the manufacturer itself.

What to do if you encounter a fake?

“NGK SPARK PLUG recommends purchasing candles only from a store or supplier you trust. If you have already purchased a counterfeit product, go to court,” the expert concludes.

Notes to editors

Information about NGK SPARK PLUG:

Worldwide: NGK Spark Plug is one of the leading suppliers of automotive components and technical ceramics, headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, with offices and production facilities around the world. The company's automotive division specializes in ignition and sensor technologies, providing original equipment and supplying aftermarket customers worldwide. The aftermarket product range includes spark plugs, glow plugs, ignition coils and high voltage wires under the NGK Ignition Parts brand, while oxygen and exhaust gas temperature sensors, nitrogen oxide sensors, mass air flow sensors (MAF) sensors and absolute pressure sensors in manifold (DAM) are supplied under the NTK Vehicle Electronics brand. With more than 14,500 employees, the company's activities in the areas of automotive components and technical ceramics result in a total annual turnover of approximately 3.1 billion euros worldwide. NGK Spark Plug has representatives on all continents, as well as 41 divisions, 24 manufacturing plants and 5 technical centers.

EMEA Aftermarket: NGK Spark Plug has seen significant growth in the aftermarket since the company expanded beyond the motorcycle aftermarket into the automotive sector in the 1970s. Through an outstanding commitment to quality, technology and engineering, the company has become the world's number one supplier of spark plugs and oxygen sensors, and a leading supplier of glow plugs, ignition coils and high-voltage wires, and subsequently sensors. With its regional headquarters in Ratingen, Germany, NGK Spark Plug serves the aftermarket throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In the EMEA region, which currently accounts for 32% of NGK's global turnover, the company has 10 divisions and more than 800 employees, as well as two manufacturing plants in France and South Africa and a technical center in Germany

NGK candle range

Knowledge alone about how to correctly decipher candle markings is not enough. The car owner should also know what models of spark plugs are on sale. Manufacturer NGK is constantly updating its product range, replacing old models with new ones that are more relevant for modern times:

NGK Racing – spark plugs for racing car models. Suitable for the ultra-high loads encountered in professional racing competitions.
NGK LaserLine – spark plug models for gas engines.
NGK Glow are glow plugs used in diesel engines. The design has a special heating coil.
NGK D-Power is a glow plug model for severe operating conditions. Designed to start a diesel engine at subzero temperatures. The assortment includes many modifications of this model, including ceramic ones.
NGK Standart is a standard series of spark plugs. The design includes a central electrode made of nickel. Characterized by durability and good performance.
NGK Platinum VX - spark plugs, unlike the normal modification, have platinum coating. The diameter of the central electrode reaches 0.8 mm. During operation it exhibits durability and reliability.
NGK Laser Platinum - platinum coated spark plugs with corrugated fins designed to resist combustion.
NGK Laser Iridium – NGK iridium spark plugs, spark plugs with an iridium electrode. They differ in service life of 100,000 km.
NGK V-Line is a model of spark plugs with a notch on the main electrode in the shape of the letter V. They provide better ignition.
NGK V-Power is a modification of spark plugs that has a copper core for maximum heat dissipation and a V-shaped notch.

The 10 series of spark plugs presented above are not the entire list of spark plugs from NGK, but only its most popular part. A more complete list is presented on the company website.

NGK Technologies

Invented more than half a century ago, the classic spark plug certainly still works today. However, due to the constant increase in environmental safety standards, it is simply no longer possible to use such models. With a large surface area of the electrode on which the discharge occurs, it is necessary to increase the discharge power. In this case, the emerging spark itself does not stand still, but seems to float, and therefore cannot maintain the severity of the moment and the speed of propagation of the flame front.

V-Line is a technology from NGK, with the help of which it was possible to find a compromise solution to overcome this situation. It consists of creating a V-shaped groove at the end of the main electrode, located parallel to the side electrode. Interestingly, Denso also uses a similar method with the difference that the groove is applied to the surface of the side electrode.

Spark plugs manufactured using V-Line technology are distinguished by a small surface area on which a spark is formed. By keeping the ignition system unchanged, this makes it possible to significantly increase the intensity of the interelectrode electrostatic field. In other words, the technology increases spark power and stability compared to previously used modifications. It should be noted that due to the fact that the spark jumps from the edge, in the place where maximum ventilation occurs, the smooth operation of the engine is improved. This is especially noticeable in lean mixtures, particularly at idle.

An interesting feature of NGK spark plugs with a semi-sliding surface discharge. Here, the main electrode is entirely contained in an insulator, compared to traditional multi-electrode designs.

This gives the advantage of running the engine on rich mixtures or in worn-out systems. The resulting carbon deposits on the conductors practically do not reduce the effectiveness of the spark plug, so that it is able to maintain functionality even with severe contamination.

The new platinum and iridium spark plugs from NGK feature advantages such as maximum spark stability due to the small diameter of the main electrode and minimal erosion. Equipping engines of modern cars coming off the assembly line with such spark plugs is one of the best indicators of their high service life.

It is interesting to note that NGK developers are constantly working to improve glow plugs. Thus, the new hybrid spark plugs they created, in addition to the main central platinum electrode, have an additional side electrode. The latter works in tandem with two additional electrodes and is soldered with platinum. Their operation is based on the principle of a semi-sliding surface discharge. As soon as carbon deposits form on the spark plug, the additional electrodes begin to work. As a result, engine stability is maintained at a high level. At the same time, the main spark plug heats up and the carbon burns out completely.

How to spot fake spark plugs?

The great popularity of NGK spark plugs has its bad downside - a huge number of fakes. Counterfeit is widespread in both real and virtual stores. Naturally, this could not but affect the reputation of the manufacturer’s original products.

NGK spark plugs, how to spot a fake.

Therefore, in order not to fall into a false opinion and not buy a fake, you need to learn to distinguish the original from the counterfeit. First of all, you need to pay attention to the packaging. And the first thing that may catch your eye is the “crooked” printing. The quality of the image and all packaging details from the manufacturer is always at its best, unlike scammers.

Original NGK spark plugs and fakes.

The appearance and design of the product itself is no less important. Thus, the contact tip of an NGK spark plug looks like one piece with the spark plug body. It is simply impossible to unscrew it with all the strength of your hands. The marked inscription must be distinct, clear and uniform. The thread on the original spark plug, rolled on a high-precision machine, always looks perfectly even and smooth. If it has roughness and traces of the work of a cutter, then this clearly indicates a fake. The presence of crooked electrodes or their visible deviation from the central axis is another clear sign of counterfeit.

Pros and cons of NGK spark plugs

NGK products are mostly characterized by positive reviews. In addition to the highest quality and compliance with international standards, this was made possible thanks to the following advantages:

Iridium and platinum spark formers are made on the basis of alumina - a dielectric of increased strength and good conductivity.
Insurance against spark overlap is provided by a corrugated tip.
High thermal conductivity prevents the candle from overheating.
Protection of the spark plug from temperature changes and deformation is provided by a high-strength insulator.
Completely sealed spark plug housing.
The copper core provides a high heat rating and wear resistance. It is characterized by low resistance and high thermal conductivity.
Candles are not subject to soot formation.
Good performance characteristics for screwing in/out thanks to cold-rolled threads.