Found these at my friend's garage, he says he doesn't know where they came from or when. I might have a use for them if they have at least half their life left.
do these iridium plugs still have life?
- Thread starter cutter
- Start date
- Status
I would say its hard to judge. You could maybe clean em up a bit and try them out.. Id get new plugs.. but again free is good!!
I would only use used spark plugs if I had to.
It is a consumable, does this thinking extend to coolant and oil?
It is a consumable, does this thinking extend to coolant and oil?
Last edited:
If those are the Iridium IX plugs, they do not have the platinum pad welded to the ground electrode and that'd be the part that will show wear. I believe the IX plugs have a finer tip than do the Laser Iridiums. The Laser Iridium have a platinum pad on the ground electrode which wears at a much slower rate. So in this case, I'd measure, and likely, the gap has widened from factory pre-set gap. NGK says not to gap Iridiums, and I certainly wouldn't attempt to open the gap with a tool for fear of damaging the iridium tip, but some very gentle pushing on the electrode may work to close the gap to spec. Those plugs look fine; the torque feel is going to be a bit different when tightening since the washer appears to have already been crushed.
I agree with Chris, these plugs look fine but may need to be close the gap a little.
Remember, you don't gap this type of plug with one of those round, old-school spark plug gappers. You'll break the tip in one second. You need to use the wire guages to check the gap and then carefully adjust it by bending the top part.
I've never done it, but that's my understanding of how you do it. Googling will get you additional info.
Here's the type of tool you need.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/tools/...CFfBaMgodrj4A9A
I've never done it, but that's my understanding of how you do it. Googling will get you additional info.
Here's the type of tool you need.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/tools/...CFfBaMgodrj4A9A
Originally Posted By: Nyquist
If I was going to go through the trouble of installing new spark plugs, I'd put new ones in. I hate doing jobs twice because a used part doesn't work correctly.
As cheap as I am, I would have to agree. If the plugs were easy to pull, then maybe use them up for a bit, but if it's a pain to replace even one, then I'd throw these in the junk box to use on an old beater and buy new ones for what they came out of, (unless of course, you pulled them out of an old beater, then wrench 'em back in).
If I was going to go through the trouble of installing new spark plugs, I'd put new ones in. I hate doing jobs twice because a used part doesn't work correctly.
As cheap as I am, I would have to agree. If the plugs were easy to pull, then maybe use them up for a bit, but if it's a pain to replace even one, then I'd throw these in the junk box to use on an old beater and buy new ones for what they came out of, (unless of course, you pulled them out of an old beater, then wrench 'em back in).
Theyre beat. Those plugs have a needle point on electrode and you cans ee the varying wear on the grounds. Are they BKR6EIX? If so pricey little guys
Pay for new ones.
You touch it once with new one's, and Iridium lasts at least a 100,000 miles, probably longer.
Shoot, the double platinum's that I have in my 2002 Ford Taurus looked like they should go back in after 98,000 miles. However, I replaced them cause they were like $4 each for the NGK double platinum's. I didn't shop around cause at $24 for the whole car...well I couldn't justify "saving" that money.
If you use the old one's you might start chasing ignition issues in 6 months. Is it wires? Is it the solenoid pack? Is it the used plugs I gapped?
How long does it take you to drive a 100,000 miles?
I know folks who drive 40,000 miles a year. Mainly contractors that do a lot of work at different locations.
I would just go ahead and replace them.
Even if they are $18-$24 each, about $100 for the car, that is still really cheap per mile for a 100,000 mile plug.
You touch it once with new one's, and Iridium lasts at least a 100,000 miles, probably longer.
Shoot, the double platinum's that I have in my 2002 Ford Taurus looked like they should go back in after 98,000 miles. However, I replaced them cause they were like $4 each for the NGK double platinum's. I didn't shop around cause at $24 for the whole car...well I couldn't justify "saving" that money.
If you use the old one's you might start chasing ignition issues in 6 months. Is it wires? Is it the solenoid pack? Is it the used plugs I gapped?
How long does it take you to drive a 100,000 miles?
I know folks who drive 40,000 miles a year. Mainly contractors that do a lot of work at different locations.
I would just go ahead and replace them.
Even if they are $18-$24 each, about $100 for the car, that is still really cheap per mile for a 100,000 mile plug.
Last edited:
they are already out of the car - spend a few bucks and sleep well at night
You can find long-life (120k mile) iridiums at AAP with plenty of discount coupons always available...I got four for $28.
Originally Posted By: KitaCam
You can find long-life (120k mile) iridiums at AAP with plenty of discount coupons always available...I got four for $28.
Bingo. I understand the importance of value, but if you've already removed them, just put fresh ones in and move on.
You can find long-life (120k mile) iridiums at AAP with plenty of discount coupons always available...I got four for $28.
Bingo. I understand the importance of value, but if you've already removed them, just put fresh ones in and move on.
If its the right plug for the car, as someone asked. And if the plugs are super easy to change, I might try it. But it its at all time consuming to change , new ones hands down.
Last edited:
I would not bother with trying to 'clean' them. The iridium and platinum coating is not 'meant' to be wire-brushed. As such,
Do not gap
Do not clean
Do not remove
The only “maintenance” is replacement. One time installation, one time removal.
Iridium and Platinum tipped spark plugs are designed to operate under normal vehicle operating conditions for up to 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers) without periodic maintenance. The Iridium or Platinum is only a coating, and is easily damaged.
When no engine performance concerns are present, Iridium and Platinum tipped spark plugs should not be removed for periodic inspection and cleaning of threads, doing so may compromise the spark plug’s ability to withstand their corrosive environment. The threaded area, although not sealed, serves as a protective environment against most harmful elements. Removing and cleaning spark plugs will introduce metallic debris and brush scrapings into the thread area which may further the corrosion process.
Chromate coated spark plugs should not be wire brushed or handled in any way once they are put in service. Chromium topcoats form a protective oxide on spark plugs that is not effective if scratched. Both coated and uncoated spark plugs will have the best chance of surviving a corrosive environment if they are left in position. Attempts to maintain spark plugs by removing them and cleaning the threads can actually create the corrosive condition that the procedure was intended to prevent.
As was said, they can be had cheap now; I just received FOUR Denso Iridium plugs for my vehicle, via Amazon prime, for UNDER $20.
Do not gap
Do not clean
Do not remove
The only “maintenance” is replacement. One time installation, one time removal.
Iridium and Platinum tipped spark plugs are designed to operate under normal vehicle operating conditions for up to 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers) without periodic maintenance. The Iridium or Platinum is only a coating, and is easily damaged.
When no engine performance concerns are present, Iridium and Platinum tipped spark plugs should not be removed for periodic inspection and cleaning of threads, doing so may compromise the spark plug’s ability to withstand their corrosive environment. The threaded area, although not sealed, serves as a protective environment against most harmful elements. Removing and cleaning spark plugs will introduce metallic debris and brush scrapings into the thread area which may further the corrosion process.
Chromate coated spark plugs should not be wire brushed or handled in any way once they are put in service. Chromium topcoats form a protective oxide on spark plugs that is not effective if scratched. Both coated and uncoated spark plugs will have the best chance of surviving a corrosive environment if they are left in position. Attempts to maintain spark plugs by removing them and cleaning the threads can actually create the corrosive condition that the procedure was intended to prevent.
As was said, they can be had cheap now; I just received FOUR Denso Iridium plugs for my vehicle, via Amazon prime, for UNDER $20.
Originally Posted By: AandPDan
Get new ones.
The plugs may have some life left but the spark plug gaskets should be replaced.
While they look fine I would agree, cheap insurance to buy new plugs...
Get new ones.
The plugs may have some life left but the spark plug gaskets should be replaced.
While they look fine I would agree, cheap insurance to buy new plugs...
- Status
