Double platinum vs irridium spark plugs

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Aug 3, 2020
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94
Got my 2010 buick lucerne tuned up. Just hit 82000 miles. My mechanic replaced the spark plugs with double platinum but the owners manual specs for irridium. Is this going to create a problem or cause any issues?
 
They might not last as long as iridium. Long life is the main reason for iridium. The price difference isn't much between the two :unsure:
 
It will not hurt anything. Butt the Iridium is longer life. Did you ask him what he used the other plugs?
 
Got my 2010 buick lucerne tuned up. Just hit 82000 miles. My mechanic replaced the spark plugs with double platinum but the owners manual specs for irridium. Is this going to create a problem or cause any issues?
The only difference might be the longevity of the plug. Performance wise, no difference.
 
Ok..thank you. Also..I have noticed a slight spark knock on 87 octane so I've always been running 94. Could that be an issue with not using the specified spark plug?
 
Ok..thank you. Also..I have noticed a slight spark knock on 87 octane so I've always been running 94. Could that be an issue with not using the specified spark plug?
Not unless it is worn. As noted above the difference is longevity.

Besides, pre-ignition knock is caused by lots of things including the octane rating itself - which you have changed pretty radically. I'm not even sure how the spark plug would cause knock as it isn't firing early.
 
LOL...I totally get that itch. But yeah...I'll leave them alone. Sounds like it's creating no issues. When I first became a member here I had PTSD every time I looked at oil jugs on the shelf as I couldn't make up mind what to use. I finally grew out of that years ago. Easier to do when you realize your car will likely outlive you. LOL
 
So, I had the platinums swapped out for irridium plugs. Thought I'd give it a go with 87 octane. Spark knock is terrible. Back to 93. There is enough residual 87 I got sick of it and put some STP octane boost in. This car can run E85 but not a fan of that in cooler temps. I don't know what the heck could be causing this. It has 87k on the odometer. I've owned it since 34k. It knocked then on 87 so I've always just ran 93 octane until the plugs were changed. New irridums, makes so difference. I'm thinking I just have to live with it? One could spend a small fortune trying to figure what's causing the Spark knock.
 
So, I had the platinums swapped out for irridium plugs. Thought I'd give it a go with 87 octane. Spark knock is terrible. Back to 93. There is enough residual 87 I got sick of it and put some STP octane boost in. This car can run E85 but not a fan of that in cooler temps. I don't know what the heck could be causing this. It has 87k on the odometer. I've owned it since 34k. It knocked then on 87 so I've always just ran 93 octane until the plugs were changed. New irridums, makes so difference. I'm thinking I just have to live with it? One could spend a small fortune trying to figure what's causing the Spark knock.
"spark knock" is caused by too-advanced ignition timing. Plugs have nothing to do with causing that (besides the stupid-obvious :) ).

If your combustion chamber is carboned up, that can cause knock. Check your compression in each cylinder.
 
So i cleaned the combustion chamber and the freaking thing still knocks on 87 octane. I give up. It's either a timing issue and I'm not about to replace the timing chain. Or its bad knock sensors. But the engine hasn't thrown any codes. No check engine light. No nothing. Any thoughts? Just live with it? Seems to be what it is.
 
1 Clean and verify the EGR is working.
2 verify the knock sensor is working.
3 clean the combustion chamber, GM makes a top engine cleaner

Rod
 
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