regular plugs go for 30k miles. i don't understand paying 4x as much for a plug that lasts ~3x as much. changing them is fun and you can tell a lot about your engine by reading the plugs.
How long would you go on GM Platinum plugs?
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Originally Posted By: Bryan_Tran
regular plugs go for 30k miles. i don't understand paying 4x as much for a plug that lasts ~3x as much. changing them is fun and you can tell a lot about your engine by reading the plugs.
There are many vehicles where 'fun' would not be my first thought about changing plugs on them. The proper word for these vehicles is censored here on BITOG.
regular plugs go for 30k miles. i don't understand paying 4x as much for a plug that lasts ~3x as much. changing them is fun and you can tell a lot about your engine by reading the plugs.
There are many vehicles where 'fun' would not be my first thought about changing plugs on them. The proper word for these vehicles is censored here on BITOG.
Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Originally Posted By: Bryan_Tran
regular plugs go for 30k miles. i don't understand paying 4x as much for a plug that lasts ~3x as much. changing them is fun and you can tell a lot about your engine by reading the plugs.
There are many vehicles where 'fun' would not be my first thought about changing plugs on them. The proper word for these vehicles is censored here on BITOG.
+1. Just about any GM V6 FWD not fun. On some of them you have remove the top mounts and rotate the engine forward. Plus changing plugs oftentimes wrecks a plug wire or two (more fun). Not too mention taking plugs out a lot can be hard on the threads and taper seat on an AL head (anti-sieze helps), and dirt can fall into the engine.
Besides even changing every 30K conventional plugs are in a constant state of deteriortion and opening the gap up. I think platinum plugs or iridium work better and are a way better way to go at no more cost over the plug's life. If it wasn't for that darn problem of the tabs falling off..
Originally Posted By: Bryan_Tran
regular plugs go for 30k miles. i don't understand paying 4x as much for a plug that lasts ~3x as much. changing them is fun and you can tell a lot about your engine by reading the plugs.
There are many vehicles where 'fun' would not be my first thought about changing plugs on them. The proper word for these vehicles is censored here on BITOG.
+1. Just about any GM V6 FWD not fun. On some of them you have remove the top mounts and rotate the engine forward. Plus changing plugs oftentimes wrecks a plug wire or two (more fun). Not too mention taking plugs out a lot can be hard on the threads and taper seat on an AL head (anti-sieze helps), and dirt can fall into the engine.
Besides even changing every 30K conventional plugs are in a constant state of deteriortion and opening the gap up. I think platinum plugs or iridium work better and are a way better way to go at no more cost over the plug's life. If it wasn't for that darn problem of the tabs falling off..
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Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Originally Posted By: Bryan_Tran
regular plugs go for 30k miles. i don't understand paying 4x as much for a plug that lasts ~3x as much. changing them is fun and you can tell a lot about your engine by reading the plugs.
There are many vehicles where 'fun' would not be my first thought about changing plugs on them. The proper word for these vehicles is censored here on BITOG.
+1. Just about any GM V6 FWD not fun. On some of them you have remove the top mounts and rotate the engine forward. Plus changing plugs oftentimes wrecks a plug wire or two (more fun). Not too mention taking plugs out a lot can be hard on the threads and taper seat on an AL head (anti-sieze helps), and dirt can fall into the engine.
Besides even changing every 30K conventional plugs are in a constant state of deteriortion and opening the gap up. I think platinum plugs or iridium work better and are a way better way to go at no more cost over the plug's life. If it wasn't for that darn problem of the tabs falling off..
If Im doing plugs, Im doing wires as well. That way Im not tippy toeing around hoping Im not going to break a wire.
Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Originally Posted By: Bryan_Tran
regular plugs go for 30k miles. i don't understand paying 4x as much for a plug that lasts ~3x as much. changing them is fun and you can tell a lot about your engine by reading the plugs.
There are many vehicles where 'fun' would not be my first thought about changing plugs on them. The proper word for these vehicles is censored here on BITOG.
+1. Just about any GM V6 FWD not fun. On some of them you have remove the top mounts and rotate the engine forward. Plus changing plugs oftentimes wrecks a plug wire or two (more fun). Not too mention taking plugs out a lot can be hard on the threads and taper seat on an AL head (anti-sieze helps), and dirt can fall into the engine.
Besides even changing every 30K conventional plugs are in a constant state of deteriortion and opening the gap up. I think platinum plugs or iridium work better and are a way better way to go at no more cost over the plug's life. If it wasn't for that darn problem of the tabs falling off..
If Im doing plugs, Im doing wires as well. That way Im not tippy toeing around hoping Im not going to break a wire.
Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Originally Posted By: Bryan_Tran
regular plugs go for 30k miles. i don't understand paying 4x as much for a plug that lasts ~3x as much. changing them is fun and you can tell a lot about your engine by reading the plugs.
There are many vehicles where 'fun' would not be my first thought about changing plugs on them. The proper word for these vehicles is censored here on BITOG.
I own one of those "Not Fun" vehicles... Mine involves taking the thorttle body and plenum out to get to the rear plugs. It's about 4 hours to do 6 plugs.
Bryan must own a 4 cylinder.
Originally Posted By: Bryan_Tran
regular plugs go for 30k miles. i don't understand paying 4x as much for a plug that lasts ~3x as much. changing them is fun and you can tell a lot about your engine by reading the plugs.
There are many vehicles where 'fun' would not be my first thought about changing plugs on them. The proper word for these vehicles is censored here on BITOG.
I own one of those "Not Fun" vehicles... Mine involves taking the thorttle body and plenum out to get to the rear plugs. It's about 4 hours to do 6 plugs.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Patman - I can't figure out how a wide spark plug gap would cause the microphonic/vibration induced spark knock sensor to activate.
Occasional miss fires can cause this problem.
If the plugs are double platinum they can go 80k easy in a well tuned motor. Same is true for Iridiums. I like to keep the gap slightly (~0.005) closed on install as the gap will widen some over its lifespan.
Patman - I can't figure out how a wide spark plug gap would cause the microphonic/vibration induced spark knock sensor to activate.
Occasional miss fires can cause this problem.
If the plugs are double platinum they can go 80k easy in a well tuned motor. Same is true for Iridiums. I like to keep the gap slightly (~0.005) closed on install as the gap will widen some over its lifespan.
Wow, lots of replies. Good to know guys. I can always pull the one that's easy to get to and check it out. The car only has 43k on it.
I change mine every 100k miles and never had any problem
'99 Sunfire 2.4L - Good for about 80k miles in my experience.
Originally Posted By: Bamaro
I had 120K on a 3.8 and pulled the front 3 and they looked file, the 3 in the rear were too hard to reach.
Probably one of those that I mentioned you have to unbolt the 2 top mounts at the engine and rotate the engine forward. Once you do that it's pretty easy to get to the back plugs.
I had 120K on a 3.8 and pulled the front 3 and they looked file, the 3 in the rear were too hard to reach.
Probably one of those that I mentioned you have to unbolt the 2 top mounts at the engine and rotate the engine forward. Once you do that it's pretty easy to get to the back plugs.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: Bamaro
I had 120K on a 3.8 and pulled the front 3 and they looked file, the 3 in the rear were too hard to reach.
Probably one of those that I mentioned you have to unbolt the 2 top mounts at the engine and rotate the engine forward. Once you do that it's pretty easy to get to the back plugs.
I did that the first time I changed plugs, after that I just reached down there and did my thing, it's not necessary. The one by the O2 sensor is a PITA though.
Originally Posted By: Bamaro
I had 120K on a 3.8 and pulled the front 3 and they looked file, the 3 in the rear were too hard to reach.
Probably one of those that I mentioned you have to unbolt the 2 top mounts at the engine and rotate the engine forward. Once you do that it's pretty easy to get to the back plugs.
I did that the first time I changed plugs, after that I just reached down there and did my thing, it's not necessary. The one by the O2 sensor is a PITA though.
factory NGK in my car are recommended for 100k miles +.
Just replaced an engine on a 06 Savana 3500 6.0 gas and put the original AC/Delco plugs right back into the new motor. They had 81000 miles and over 2000 hours of stationary operation at 1500 rpm!!!
Runs perfect!
Just replaced an engine on a 06 Savana 3500 6.0 gas and put the original AC/Delco plugs right back into the new motor. They had 81000 miles and over 2000 hours of stationary operation at 1500 rpm!!!
Runs perfect!
I would agree with StevieC & say 60k miles then replace or clean & regap for optimum running condition. If it's "fun" then you might just clean & regap but probably not. They could last the life of the engine it just depends upon your condemnation limit.
And now the question of the day is--- what happened to those little hockey pucks that were dislodged from those double platimum plugs? Did they exit sucessfully through the exhaust valve? Or, are they wedged in the top comp. ring. This subject has not yet been covered. FWIW-- Oldtommy
Originally Posted By: 2oldtommy
And now the question of the day is--- what happened to those little hockey pucks that were dislodged from those double platimum plugs? Did they exit sucessfully through the exhaust valve? Or, are they wedged in the top comp. ring. This subject has not yet been covered. FWIW-- Oldtommy
You know I really wondered that too. I assumed that the pucks probably eventually made their way out the exhaust valve without causing much harming being so small. But you never know maybe they are the real cause for some of these engines developing piston slap
.
And now the question of the day is--- what happened to those little hockey pucks that were dislodged from those double platimum plugs? Did they exit sucessfully through the exhaust valve? Or, are they wedged in the top comp. ring. This subject has not yet been covered. FWIW-- Oldtommy
You know I really wondered that too. I assumed that the pucks probably eventually made their way out the exhaust valve without causing much harming being so small. But you never know maybe they are the real cause for some of these engines developing piston slap
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