Autolite Single Platinum HORROR story

[DCcarnut]

Spent lots of $$$ and many hours of time mis-diagnosing misfiring error codes on Toyota Corolla after installing Autolite single platinum.

The Corolla, like other Toyota and some Fords, among others, use one coil for two cylinders, along with a "lost spark" on the cylinder that is not TDC. Apparently this quickly polarizes the plugs so they no longer work.

When I moved one of the Autolites to a Mazda engine, I also got a misfire code which shows that the plug was permanently screwed up.

In my opinion, Autolite single platinum plugs are JUNK. Recommend avoiding them.

 

[trx250x92]

With Japanese vehicles (Toyota, Honda, etc) I use NGK or Denso. I've never had problems with either and even have NGK platinums in my F-150 and it is smooth as can be.

 

[eljefino]

Yeah they have issues with saturns that run coil packs as well.

The cure is good old copper cores, if you can find 'em.

 

[tom slick]

Originally Posted By: DCcarnut
...Apparently this quickly polarizes the plugs so they no longer work...


Can you explain how that happens or provide a link?

 

[mattwithcats]

Spark fires in reverse...
Platinum coating is on one terminal only...

 

[Silk]

You need double plats for waste spark, or OE, which have centre plat on half the plugs, and earth plat on the other half.

 

[earlyre]

so would that "Lost spark", be the same as a "waste spark" system?
that's what my neon has, there have been long drawn out arguments over in the 2nd Gen neon section @ Dodgeforum.com, about the "best plugs for these engines" and it always boils down to god ol' copper cores,(which the OE plugs were), but there's still folks who refuse to use "cheap copper plugs", and for them the best fit, are "Double Platinum"(has platinum on both electrodes)

 

[Eddie]

Autolite plats are not junk. People just use then incorrectly. )

 

[Roadkingnc]

The only thing the single platinum will do in that system is erode one electrode faster than the other. This would be readily visible to the naked eye and would take several thousand miles to see. The plug does not get polarized. The factory plug usually has the platinum on one electrode only. Depends on which way the spark is going.

 

[dparm]

I have never understood why people claim an entire brand of plug "doesn't work well in X car", i.e. "oh BMWs don't like Densos" or "Fords do well on Champions". I have used tons of plugs (Denso Plat, Denso Ir, NGK Plat, NGK Plat+4, Bosch+4, Champion Plat, etc) on tons of cars, and NEVER had a problem. Never.

 

[antiqueshell]

Because they often times get the WRONG application with a different brand of plug, while it is pretty safe bet that the brand that was OEM will have the correct part number from the get go.

 

[pbm]

What year is your Corolla?

Does the 1ZZFE in my 2008 Corolla have a 'waste spark' system?

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: DCcarnut
Spent lots of $$$ and many hours of time mis-diagnosing misfiring error codes on Toyota Corolla after installing Autolite single platinum.

The Corolla, like other Toyota and some Fords, among others, use one coil for two cylinders, along with a "lost spark" on the cylinder that is not TDC. Apparently this quickly polarizes the plugs so they no longer work.

When I moved one of the Autolites to a Mazda engine, I also got a misfire code which shows that the plug was permanently screwed up.

In my opinion, Autolite single platinum plugs are JUNK. Recommend avoiding them.


Was this plug listed for the vehicle? Or did you cross reference just an old plug and not look up the actual application?

I do not believe you can get the actual plugs that were shipped from the factory. Too easy for a mechanic to mix up the plugs. Copper or double platinum.

This has been known about for years. My 2001 Jeep is a waste spark ignition.

Lawn mower engines are essentially waste spark as they fire the plug once per revolution.

 

[JHZR2]

Ive started to wonder if I am occasionally feeling a slight misfire at idle in our VW that I tried Autolite iridium plugs in...

Not sure if it is the heat wave, me, the fuel, etc.

Do the Ir plugs have a setup that would foil COP setups?

 

[sciphi]

Well-known not to use platinum plugs in waste-spark 3800 V6's. The iridium plugs in the COP setups on both cars work fine.

 

[Quest]

I've used virtually anything under the sun RE: spark plugs, including single platinum autolites, double plat, champions, NGKs, Bosch, ND, etc.

This is the first time I heard such bizarre claim.


You'll have to show us some proofs, details, spark plug numbers, engine types, etc. OP. Casually coming on to BITOG and rant isn't gonna instantly give you credibility, you know.

BTW: welcome.

Q.

 

[kschachn]

My Sienna has an underhood placard, as well as a warning in the owner's manual to use only the double electrode plugs in this application. It too has a waste spark system with one coil for two plugs. It's not a suggestion to use them, it says "only".

I generally use the Densos as they are a bit cheaper than the NGKs. But both are spec'd in the owner's manual.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/pdf/dyk_waste_spark_ignitions.pdf

 

[oldhp]

Iridium works but platinum doesn't? Why? How?
All plugs I've ever seen are cooper core, Iridium,Platinum you name it. The copper core is to transfer heat.
I used Bosch +2 in my 1999 3.1 Lumina, ran perfect.
I used NGK Iridium in my 2003 3.9 Dakota, ran perfect.
When my 2012 RAM HEMI needs plugs I'm using NGK platinum instead of plain ol' copper ones that RAM says to change every 30K.
I have Autolites in my 452c.i. Charger, it goes to 6500 RPM without missing a beat.

 

[kschachn]

The material doesn't matter (either iridium or platinum) but the number of electrodes does.

Originally Posted By: oldhp
Iridium works but platinum doesn't? Why? How?
All plugs I've ever seen are cooper core, Iridium,Platinum you name it. The copper core is to transfer heat.
I used Bosch +2 in my 1999 3.1 Lumina, ran perfect.
I used NGK Iridium in my 2003 3.9 Dakota, ran perfect.
When my 2012 RAM HEMI needs plugs I'm using NGK platinum instead of plain ol' copper ones that RAM says to change every 30K.
I have Autolites in my 452c.i. Charger, it goes to 6500 RPM without missing a beat.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: DCcarnut
Spent lots of $$$ and many hours of time mis-diagnosing misfiring error codes on Toyota Corolla after installing Autolite single platinum.

The Corolla, like other Toyota and some Fords, among others, use one coil for two cylinders, along with a "lost spark" on the cylinder that is not TDC. Apparently this quickly polarizes the plugs so they no longer work.

When I moved one of the Autolites to a Mazda engine, I also got a misfire code which shows that the plug was permanently screwed up.

In my opinion, Autolite single platinum plugs are JUNK. Recommend avoiding them.


No.... they're not junk. They (or any single platinum plug) should NOT be used in a "waste-spark" ignition system because it causes the non-platinum electrode to wear excessively fast on half of the plugs in the engine. If its coil on plug or a distributor system, single-platinums are FINE and Autolite is one of the better brands, IMO. The problem was the application, not the plug.