NGK counterfeit spark plugs. How to tell the difference. (ILFR6B 6481)
Hey!... Welcome to the first #modmonday of 2020! Today we have a interesting topic about spark plugs. We touched on this a month ago but now with an interesting twist. Counterfeit NGK 6481 spark plugs run rampant online these days and I want to give you my insight to help you keep these out of your car.
The differences are hard to spot but a detailed look will find the small details that show which is true and which is false.
A week ago I was working on a website article with a youtube video playing in the background, when thumbnail caught my eye. The title being how to identify knock off ngk plugs, this video was for Hondas but it got me thinking, are there knockoffs for Subarus? Why yes, yes there are.
I reached out to NGK for further clarification and how to identify a genuine NGK plug but I still haven't heard back. So I will give you what info I was able to find.
Your first and easiest indications will be on the outside of the box. There will be certifications but not the standard EAC found on a genuine product. The text has odd spacing and on my box was very blurry and you won't find the NGK website, these are eay to spot.
Top is NGK the bottom is the fake. The EAC logo is the easiest quickest way to figure this out.
Genuine on the left and fake on the right. The text is slightly different and the spacing is a bit odd.
Bottom is the real deal and the fake is up top. If it doesn’t have the Ngk website, it is a fake.
Once again genuine on the left. The printing is just not as crisp on the fakes and is even a little blurred.
With them out of the package you will notice that a NGK plug has a purple hue to the spark plug while a knockoff is more yellow, also it has a much more mirror finish. The text printed on the spark plug is a darker shade of blue and the font is generally not as well centered.
The photo doesn’t show it well but the blue text is just a bit darker on the fake unit. The real NGKs will have a more faded appearance.
You will also find that the text on the center shell ( the location where you use a socket on) the Japan text is slightly different. Also there is a batch number on it, the proper plugs I have and have seen all start with a “W” while the knockoff starts with a “K”.
This serial number begins with a K, neither of my known genuine spark plugs start with a K. I think this is another example of it being close but not right.
The W of a factory Subaru NGK plug also matches a off the shelf NGK plug.
Looking at the ground electrode you will notice the arc doesn't flow in the same manner, its hard to explain it and is easily noted when you have them side by side. Flipping the plug over the terminal end is a slightly different color or type of metal, the cap at the insulator has a different shape to it.
This is your factory Subaru plug the arc of the ground electrode looks just like the other Ngk plug.
The fake NGK plug arc is just not the same. Easier to see in person than in a photograph.
Keep your eyes out for these to make sure your Subaru is running the right parts! These are listed on Amazon from NGK and many of the listings are the knockoffs. For online purchases I would highly recommend the factory Subaru plugs sold by dealerships or your favorite local parts store.
I put in an Amazon review for the plugs I bought for being knockoffs but I have yet to see it posted. Not sure if they are double checking my facts… Hopefully they are and not just hiding the info from others.
As stated above I reached out to NGK for more information to make sure I had everything right but I never heard back from there. These are all the differences I saw and if I am mistaken I am happy to change anything. Please feel free to add any further info you have to help us identify and save others from the headaches from purchasing the incorrect plugs.
Questions, comments, thoughts? Leave them below!