How many cranks until you're engine starts?

[NoHandleBars]

Just curious how many times everyone engine here takes to crank up, mines around 4-5 (cold-start).

Also, with NGK Coppers (if anyone here has used them) do you have to gap them? I didn't gap mine when I installed them since I was told they were "self gapping" any truth to this? My engine doesn't ping, or back fire, so I'm guessing it's fine...just double checking. Thanks.

 

[Niner]

About the same number of cranks for for me. I always gap plugs if they get bumped the gap can be off.

 

[BigyellowFJ]

Three for ours in a moderate climate with a CAI.

 

[NoHandleBars]

About the same number of cranks for for me. I always gap plugs if they get bumped the gap can be off.

I see, is it TRUE that NGK's are self-gapping though?

I looked on the website say that it says plug gap "0.44"

 

[Corey]

Mine with 16K on it cranks right up.
It use to take two when it was new, but now I just barely turn the starter and it starts right up winter or summer.

Still running the stock plugs since July of '06.
Will be getting them changed soon.

 

[Toledo FJ]

Usually about 2 for me.

 

[Gizmos_fj]

Around 3 times for me on a cold start, 1-2 if the engine is not to cold. I was wondering also if I needed new spark plugs or something, it seems odd to take that many times to get the engine going. I have 27k miles on mine.

 

[knoll0351]

Maintanance schedule is plugs at 30k

 

[Gumby]

Yup. I'm about to change the plugs on mine. It takes a while to start compared to the Tundra. A big difference is the Tundra will crank until it starts on just a bump of the key. The FJC will only crank while the key is held in the start position. I always ends up having to start the FJC two or three times after I've been driving the Tundra for a while.

 

[NoHandleBars]

Maintanance schedule is plugs at 30k

Changeing them out before that has no harm and is generally smarter. I don't risk long intervals, or loss of MPG because the plugs aren't doing well. The longer they are in there, the higher chance of seize up, and at 15k, my Denso and NGK's were pretty messed up.

 

[knoll0351]

When you replace plugs it is always good practice to use anti sieze compound, asside from that I simply quoted the Toyota maintanance schedule. I don't think that anyone has argued the point that doing any maintanance on a vehicle early can cause any harm...

However, if you are fowling pugs at 15K miles I would suggest seeing your local dealer as that is an idication of potentialy serious problems.

 

[monniepoo]

Mine with 34,000 starts right up barely a click

 

[five-by-five]

I just replaced the plugs and it still take 4-5 cranks... I wonder if it has something to do with the grade of gas? I have run regular for a while now... ?

 

[NoHandleBars]

I just replaced the plugs and it still take 4-5 cranks... I wonder if it has something to do with the grade of gas? I have run regular for a while now... ?

Doubtful. I run 93 Premium 24\7 and also run Royal Purple in my engine. Generally though, I'm counting the cranks when I remote start it, I wonder if it would crank less if I just manually did it..who knows. Highly doubt the cranks hurt the engine as long as you got oil in there when it cranks up (make sure you're oil filters ANTI-DRAIN BACK VALVE IS WORKING) and for the love of god, never uses mobile1 filters...they just don't hold oil over night . K&N FTW

 

[joebob2586]

Mine starts in 3 or 4 cranks...has anyone tired the new E3 plugs? Everyone is trying to push them in the stores, but i dont know much about them.

 

[NYCTRD]

I WAS a 4 cranker...

Now a 2 cranker since replacing the plugs with the Nippon Densos...I'd recommend swapping plugs ASAP. Something about NGK's on one head & Denso's on the other just doesn't seem kosher!

I wanted to use NGK's, but couldn't find them at the time. I used to use NGK's in all my old sprots cars...only plug that kept 'em runnin'!

Oh & Techron blasts every 5-k or so!!

 

[NoHandleBars]

Now a 2 cranker since replacing the plugs with the Nippon Densos...I'd recommend swapping plugs ASAP. Something about NGK's on one head & Denso's on the other just doesn't seem kosher!

I wanted to use NGK's, but couldn't find them at the time. I used to use NGK's in all my old sprots cars...only plug that kept 'em runnin'!

Oh & Techron blasts every 5-k or so!!

Get your NGK's from Napa Auto Parts. They are the only place I know that is always stocked up.

 

[Woodeye]

Get your NGK's from Napa Auto Parts. They are the only place I know that is always stocked up.

How does one define what a "crank" is? Is it one 360 degree turn of the crankshaft? Or is it when each piston comes up on the compression stroke?

When starting the engine, the started has to work harder each time a piston comes up on the compression stroke. Therefore, the starter makes a sound different from the sound when there is no piston on the compression stroke. One can verify this by removing all the spark plugs and go through the same motions as starting the engine normally. The sound will not change because there is no compression.

As a matter of fact, as an OLD mechanic, when I would diagnose an engine or get ready to buy a car, I would listen to the engine cranking with the coil wire removed. If there is a weak cylinder (one with little compression) you can hear the starter speed up when that piston comes up on the compression stroke.
that cylinder could have a bad valve, warn lobe on the camshaft, or bad rings, hole in the piston, etc.

So, what is everyone calling a "crank"?

Sorry to be so long winded!

Woodeye

 

[NoHandleBars]

When you replace plugs it is always good practice to use anti sieze compound, asside from that I simply quoted the Toyota maintanance schedule. I don't think that anyone has argued the point that doing any maintanance on a vehicle early can cause any harm...

However, if you are fowling pugs at 15K miles I would suggest seeing your local dealer as that is an idication of potentialy serious problems.

Not really. We have COPPER plugs in our vehicles, which are recommended to be changes at around 20k, not 30k. Coppers ignite better, but last nowhere near as long as some of the other materials out there. And the life of you're spark plugs depends 100% on how you drive the vehicle. I have a heavy foot, so I change out my oil and spark plugs, and rear differential, earlier than most people. I plan to change out my spark plugs at 15k for now on. It dosen't cost much and it's good insurance so you dont get a seized up plug, or a fouled one etc etc.

 

[five-by-five]

Mine starts in 3 or 4 cranks...has anyone tired the new E3 plugs? Everyone is trying to push them in the stores, but i dont know much about them.

I'm running the E3.68's in my FJ now, I bought them from Amazon.com and I changed them out at 30K myself.

I can say that I felt a slight difference in the responsiveness of the truck and maybe a little better mileage. I don't drive a consistent way every tank but try to fill up at the same station with the same grade, I average around 17mpg with mixed city and highway driving and a heavier foot than most.