Choice of spark plugs

[Russ]

Does the brand of a spark plug make a difference in a lawnmower engine? I heard that Champions are supposed to be of the absolute worst quality in any application (auto, small engine, etc.) Any truth to that?
Would, say, an NGK plug have any advantage over a comparable Champion in a Briggs&Stratton-powered push mower?

 

[Slick 55]

I've always had good luck with Champions in small engines. Although I will give NGK the edge in 2 cycle engines like weed trimmers, leaf blowers, etc.

 

[Bill Kapaun]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Russ:

Would, say, an NGK plug have any advantage over a comparable Champion in a Briggs&Stratton-powered push mower?

---

Probably one of lifes mysteries??

I know that any engine I have that came with an NGK gets the same for a replacement. They have better thread finish and I know they work well.
IF you can get a proper cross ref'd NGK, I think it would be worth trying at least once.
Champions seem to be adequate for the engines in which they are OEM. They also tend to be less expensive, especially when buying just 1.
I would pay nearly $3 for 1 NGK at the mower shop, while I can buy a 4 pack for about $7 at the auto parts store.

 

[Matt_S]

The one thing that I found out that makes a much bigger difference than plug mfg is plug type. When I accidentally put a resistor plug on my 2 cycle weedwhacker, I ran into all sorts of problems that went away the second I put the right plug into it.

Besides that, I've used nothing but champion in my small engines and haven't had any problems.

 

[gimpy]

I think of these plugs just like auto plugs. 1 If you leave them in too long even if they still work fine you run the risk of the plug welding in the hole. Especially bad considering that most heads are aluminum and vastly softer than the steel spark plug. 2 If I buy an expensive plug, whenever I have a hard start or miss or any kind of rough runnig I will convince myself it has to be ANYTHING but this expensive plug and end up doing time consuming and unnecessary trouble shooting ignoring the plug. But with a .99 cent plug I just yank it out put in another and usually fixes it first time. 3 most manufacturers recommend a new plug every year anyway.