DENSO Spark Plugs Genuine vs Fake

1.Do a visual check of the plug. The terminal of the counterfeit plug often has a glossy finish, poor printing that can be easily scraped off, and the plug housing can have a noticeably poor finish and thread quality. If you have a Denso plug that you know is genuine, it can be helpful to compare them side by side.

2.Check the tip: Genuine Denso spark plugs require the super fine precious metal electrode to be attached with advanced laser welding technology. Fake plugs do not use this technology and therefore have tips that are substantially larger. They can also indicate that the tip is made of nickel instead of iridium. Use a caliper to measure the width of the tip. A genuine Denso iridium spark plug should have a 0.4 millimeter to 0.55 millimeter tip, depending on the application. Low-quality welding can cause materials to melt faster, and for the electrode to break off and drop inside the cylinder head, potentially causing engine damage.

3.Do a scratch test. Counterfeit spark plugs are constructed using cheap materials or are coated with paint, while a Denso plug is made with solid construction and no coating. Use a pocket knife or other sharp object to scratch the hexagon. If you see scratches, then you’ve spotted a fake plug.

4.Inspect the angle of the ground electrode: A genuine Denso spark plug is carefully positioned to produce the best spark functionality inside the combustion chamber. Deviations can increase or decrease the gap distance and affect spark performance.

5.Buy from an authorized Denso distributor: If the price is unexpectedly low and you’re buying from an unauthorized online distributor or auto parts shop, the chances that you’re buying a low-quality counterfeit plug are high.

That’s it! 5 simple tips to make sure you’re using genuine, high-quality Denso spark plugs and delivering the best possible service and products to your customers.