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.”
Sealing ring
Inspecting the O-ring is another way to distinguish fake Denso spark plugs. First of all, you need to pay attention to the quality of the metal. The presence of inclusions, shells, rust and other defects is unacceptable. In replicas, the O-ring often has incorrect geometry.
With the original consumable, the ring cannot be removed by hand. For a copy, dismantling it is not difficult. Therefore, if the O-ring has come off the thread, then this is an obvious fake.
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.
What is the difference between fake NGK spark plugs?
Differences in packaging
The surest signs of fake candle packaging are low-quality cardboard . It may be much thinner than the original and have a faded and washed out print. In addition, on the counterfeit packaging you can find the inscription “ Made in France ”. Although NGK spark plugs are ONLY made in Japan.
Appearance of NGK spark plugs
The main signs that indicate a fake is hidden in the appearance of the candles.
- Contact nut - try unscrewing it. If this can be done without effort, then the candle is fake. It takes a lot of effort to unscrew the original nut.
As you can see, it is quite easy to distinguish low-quality NGK spark plugs. But following these recommendations will save you from how many problems.
- How to distinguish
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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
Features of NGK technologies
The Japanese company NGK has been producing various models of candles for 80 years, constantly improving its developments. Thanks to this, the optimal ratio of quality and price was achieved. The spark plug lines are applicable to all popular car brands. NGK models have a number of advantages:
The V-Line technology developed by NGK has made it possible to create candles that meet all modern quality and environmental standards. A special V-shaped groove is applied to the end part of the electrode located in the center. The area for sparking is significantly reduced, and other parameters remain at the original level. The stability and power of the spark is increased by increasing the voltage between the electrodes. The engine can operate without failures even on low-quality mixtures and at idle speed.
Semi-sliding type surface discharge spark plugs are characterized by an electrode that is completely immersed in the insulator. This structure provides an advantage when working with worn engines and rich mixtures. Carbon deposits do not have a significant effect on the performance of the spark plug; it can operate even with significant contamination.
Design designation
Design features may have different marking options. They are indicated by the following symbols:
- B - contact fixed nut;
- SM, CS - compact side inclined electrode (insulator length is 18.5 mm);
- GV, G - spark plugs for racing cars;
- I—iridium-based electrode;
- J - two special side electrodes;
- IX - improved iridium electrode;
- K - two simple side electrodes;
- L—intermediate heat number;
- LM - compact type spark plug (insulator length 14.5 mm);
- P—platinum electrode;
- S - standard type;
- N—side single electrode of special shape;
- U—semi-surface discharge;
- Q or T - 4 and 3 side electrodes, respectively;
- VX - platinum-based spark plug;
- Y - electrode series V - Line with groove;
- Z is a special type design.
For example, an NGK spark plug type BKR6E has an external thread with a diameter of 14 mm and a length of 19 mm. The hexagon size is 16 mm, heat rating is 6. The model is equipped with a resistor type of noise suppression.
