Bosch IR Fusion Spark Plugs

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The Critic

The Critic

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http://www.boschautoparts.com/Products/SparkPlugs/IrFusion

Yes, I do realize that Bosch spark plugs have a bad reputation, but I've searched the internet for reviews of the IR Fusion plugs and have not been able to find a single one. Unlike the Bosch Platinum+4 plugs, I have read positive reviews about them from people running these plugs in their BMW, VW, Jeep, Toyota and even Honda V6 engines.

I was thinking about putting a set into my Saturn since it is due for new plugs anyway. I was also going to buy a set for my friend's Acura CL Type-S. These Bosch IR Fusion plugs carry a five-year warranty from Kragen, so if they foul and begin misfiring I can file a warranty them.

Do any of you have experience with the IR Fusion plugs?

Thanks.
 
I don't have experience with these specific plugs, but all their other automotive products seem to be sub-par or overpriced compared to what else you can get for the money. The only exception is some of the oil filters they make, these are pretty good. JMO.

If you want to do it for fun then go ahead otherwise I would use NGK because these are much better IMO.
 
Frankly, I was ok with Bosch platinum and been using it 2 yrs down the road with my Mazda B6 block back in 1993, and never had any problems with them at all (until NGK G-power/Iridium came down to a reasonable price then I switched over).

The only problem I had with Bosch (only once over the course of hundreds of cars I performed scheduled services (incl. tuneups) was my wifey's 01 4-Runner Vee6 3L, where one of the center electrode broke off due to coolant leak (hydrolock or excessive uncombustable liquid inside the chamber causing shocks to the electrode during combustion process). I knew that would happen for her P/U was having the notorious headgasket recall.

Frankly, just like Toyota late 90s sludge monster engines, Pennzoil causing sludge, etc. the Bosch spark plug problem was overly exaggerated on the internet and uneducated joes, backyard mechs, etc. and all other gullible general public would snap up these information w/o giving it much understandings/scrutiny.

Bosch, FWIW, isn't too bad afterall. I still got over 60% of my serviced cars out there running Bosch single or +4 platinums running w/o issues whatsoever. Those who can afford to go with NGKs are either on G-power (single platinum) or Iridiums.

Q.
 
Originally Posted By: bmwtechguy
NGK or Denso Iridiums is what I would use. I just have not seen great results from +4's.

These are not +4s. They are IR Fusions, which are not exactly the same.
 
I've used IR Fusions. I don't like them because:

1. The ground electrodes seem to surround and enclose the spark, which doesn't make sense to me.

2. My car seemed to run way better with a new set of BMW plugs (also a 4-tip design, but with a protruding center electrode and very short ground electrodes).

Highly un-scientific and totally subjective, of course.

I used NGK Iridium IX plugs in my old Maxima. I strongly recommend them. Great performance, LONG life (>100k miles), no sticker shock.
 
I ran every kind of Bosch plug I could find in my 89 VW Cabriolet and it ran ok, but never ran right and seemed to be lazy. I even made sure I checked the gap's etc. Then when it was time to do the plugs again I switched to NGK and the car never ran better... I'm not basing my experience with Bosch products on this one experience I have used them for wires, 02 sensors, plugs, wipers, oil filters etc. in the past and just found that they are substandard or better products out there for the same/less money... IMO this company has work to do.
 
How can you check gap on a Bosch plug unless it is a standard "Super"? The platinums' gaps are not adjustable, the single, double or +4/Iridium+4's.
 
Are there problems with the old plugs? Something you want to fix or improve?
It is generally best to stick with factory replacements.
You would be replacing a known quality with an unknown one.

Gap them at the wide end of the listed specs, and wring the most out of them.
 
I put a set of Bosch Platinum IR in my Dad's Taurus Vulcan engine, for 3 months now it runs no different than what the old ones (1 Autolite double platinum and 5 Motorcraft single platinum / reverse single platinum, the odd Autolite is to replace the hairline cracked Motorcraft).

No better, no worse, and only paid $1.50 each after rebate. I probably won't pay a ridiculous price for them however.
 
I've heard numerous times that Bosch was poison in a Toyota, but in a 1zz I had, the Bosch IR Fusion worked just like the Denso IR that came out of it.
 
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
I've used IR Fusions. I don't like them because:

1. The ground electrodes seem to surround and enclose the spark, which doesn't make sense to me.

2. My car seemed to run way better with a new set of BMW plugs (also a 4-tip design, but with a protruding center electrode and very short ground electrodes).

Highly un-scientific and totally subjective, of course.

I used NGK Iridium IX plugs in my old Maxima. I strongly recommend them. Great performance, LONG life (>100k miles), no sticker shock.


The IR Fusions are a single ground electrode design (like the NGK, and Denso iridiums) NOT a 4 ground electrode design, like the Bosch +4s , or your OEM Bimmers.
 
Not all IR Fusions are single ground. Google it.
wink.gif
 
The only time i used them was in my old E60 545i and they worked well. IIRC bosch plugs were OEM on the bimmer. They had 4 ground tabs.
 
Did anyone else notice that member PandaBear brought this thread back from the dead after 3 years? The OP's link doesn't even work anymore.
 
Originally Posted By: stephen9666
Did anyone else notice that member PandaBear brought this thread back from the dead after 3 years? The OP's link doesn't even work anymore.



Yes, I brought it back because it took me DAYS to find info on what works and what doesn't, and I couldn't find it for cross application of this plugs on this car (or other plugs on other cars), so I figure it is better to just post it so people can find it in the future.

=)
 
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