How Often Do You Replace Plugs?

[sleddriver]

I checked mine the other day as they had been in for 21,000 mi and 3yrs 4mos. The gap had increased to ~ 0.034". Tiny white, grey 'balls' were seen. No red tint.

I chucked a 5" wire brush wheel in my drill press and cleaned them up, removed the old anti-seize out of the threads, filed the tip-side of the ground smooth & sharp, regap'd to 0.030", a quick blast of air, new anti-seize and torgued to spec.

These are Volvo factory platinum plugs 8692071. They look just like the NGK BKR6EGP plugs they replaced.

 

[SLCraig]

Depends on the car. On my last car, they called for 160K KM or 100K miles so I replaced them around that mileage. On a car that takes coppers, it is less for me. It's just a matter of checking them once every so often.

 

[SteveSRT8]

these days you should choose your plugs by how often you like to mess with them.

Virtually every plug is copper cored, it's only the very tips that are different.

In my SRT8 I have not even looked at the plugs since 30k miles, they were like new. Recommended interval is 100k miles.

In my Healy replica with a radical stroker SBC I pull the plugs about once a month to clean and regap them as it is the best way to check carburetor jetting, etc.

 

[Dakota1820]

Both mine take good old copper plugs so I do it every two years regardless of mileage. Though they probably would have around 20k on them

 

[bdcardinal]

What is the schedule for your Volvo? On the R cars they want us to change them every 30k miles, not too bad since I can pick up a 5 pack from the dealer for around $40.

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
What is the schedule for your Volvo? On the R cars they want us to change them every 30k miles, not too bad since I can pick up a 5 pack from the dealer for around $40.
Mine is a 98 V70 T5. Manual says every 30,000 mi except with extensive city driving or fast highway use they recommend replacing every 15,000 mi.

 

[mpvue]

if I'm going to bother taking them out, then I'm going to replace them.

 

[SubyRoo]

Be careful using a wire wheel on your plugs. When I raced go karts I was always checking the plugs to adjust the carb and a few times took a wire wheel to a plug and when I checked it the spark would be all over the plug not straight to the ground. Who knows I may have been too rough with the wheel.

 

[Oregoonian]

My 03' Ford Focus recommends replacing the Double Platinum plugs at 100K.

I am currently at 104K....and just bought four Autolite PP103's (Double Plats)...that have a $6.00 rebate. I will replace them in the next 30 days.

 

[PZR2874]

I use the 50% time theory no matter what the manufacturer recommends. Then again, I beat my cars up.

 

[PandaBear]

When I use platinum, I just keep regapping them and never change them. So far they last 100k with no problem.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
When I use platinum, I just keep regapping them and never change them. So far they last 100k with no problem.


I don't know offhand about the OP's Volvo, but on mine, for the amount of time needed just to get to the plugs, it would be stupid to not change them.

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
When I use platinum, I just keep regapping them and never change them. So far they last 100k with no problem.


I don't know offhand about the OP's Volvo, but on mine, for the amount of time needed just to get to the plugs, it would be stupid to not change them.
Plugs are very easy & quick to replace on my car.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: mpvue
if I'm going to bother taking them out, then I'm going to replace them.


Me, too. I've got 16 plugs fer chrissakes.

But I just pull a few at random for a look see every 30k or so.

 

[sciphi]

On my old Buick, every 25-30k miles. On the newer cars, not yet. Likely I'll change the Fit's plugs at 60k miles to be safe. It's getting close to that mileage. The Cruze's I'll do at 60k miles.

The Fit's plugs are a major operation buried under the intake manifold and windshield wipers. The Cruze's are right out in the open.

 

[spasm3]

If you used a wire brush on them you might have removed the platinum.

 

[gathermewool]

I'll be changing mine at 60k, according to the manual. I'd only change it sooner if logs showed something off.

OP, just curious what torque spec you're using with the lubed up plugs.

 

[hypervish]

I changed the one's in my RX for the first time at 150k miles they were in pretty good condition, which surprised me but they were Denso Iridiums. I plan on replacing them again, at around 250k, which is likely when I'll have the timing belt done again.

 

[The Critic]

For the Prius, probably at 150k. It seems that replacing the plugs is not super critical to efficiency or drivability on this application.

For the Altima, probably at 60k since I've pulled a number of VQ35 plugs with under 100k that were completely toast.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: SubyRoo
Be careful using a wire wheel on your plugs. When I raced go karts I was always checking the plugs to adjust the carb and a few times took a wire wheel to a plug and when I checked it the spark would be all over the plug not straight to the ground. Who knows I may have been too rough with the wheel.


Wire brushing can leave small metallic tracks on the porcelain, basically fouling the plug...

Originally Posted By: PZR2874
I use the 50% time theory no matter what the manufacturer recommends. Then again, I beat my cars up.


I basically do same... For the recommended 100K mi intervals, usually gas mileage will start to decrease after 60-65K mi...