So I swapped out my spark plugs this weekend and noticed a strange difference between the plugs. I purchased Denso FXE24HR11 plugs but they don’t have the same tips as the OEM

Is this normal ? Car seems to be running fine

 

Those for DE not VHR engine.

 

I don't think this is a case with yours, but there are fake Denso plugs out there.

https://www.driven2automotive.com/bl...rk-plugs-2017/

Yours look to be real.

 

I got these off eBay which is making me paranoid. This is a stock image off another set of plugs for sale and they seem to have the little tip.

Car isnt misfiring or running bad but its very strange

 

Does the old and new plug share the same part number?

Looks like the old plug has platinum on both the center and ground terminals. New plug just on the center.

 

Yes, exact same part numbers on both plugs. Do you think there’d be any serious performance differences amongst the two ?

 

The OEM-style plugs will offer marginally better performance. The old-school design of the replacement plugs could slightly shroud the spark from the air/fuel mixture but old-school reigned for nearly a century without undue problems. Ultimate performance and most complete combustion require the OEM-style plugs. I suspect the magnitude of difference to be tiny, though.

 

Thank you. I think there probably will be a marginal difference as you said. I expected misfires or something worse. I’ll run them for a few more miles and see how things go.

 

It's odd they kept the same part number but changed the plug design. If you have time, contact the manufacturer for an explanation. When the time comes, I will probably get plugs locally to make sure they match what is currently in the car.

 

He got them off Ebay so they are probably fake. Denso's site says they have been discontinued.

 

I’d like to add here that I got my plugs straight from Infiniti when I did them last summer. I did not take pictures, however the tip on the top electrode was not present on my set of all 6. My originals did have that tip. Not sure what happened, but ever since I did the swap I’ve never had a misfire issue, car has been as it was since I replaced them, except better! Maybe there was a design change through the run of these plugs. Not sure.

 

I got these last summer from Infiniti after receiving counterfeit ones from ebay... Ebay ones looked similar to this. Most notable differences were the electrodes didn't align properly, gapping was all over the place between them, and the electrode color didn't have a burt tip color to it similar to some car's exhaust tips.

 

I vote for fake, I have received fake plugs from ebay. Rule of thumb is these plugs are expensive.
As much as I tried fighting it you will probably get fake if you're spending under $40 they're probably.

 

I used these and car runs fine. Pre-gapped and no anti-seize needed. https://www.autozone.com/external-en...-9693/490727_0