Iridium spark plugs, good or bad?

[ziggy]

Has anyone here used iridium spark plugs? Ive read most have experinced smoother idle, 1-2 mpg gallon savings, and about 1-2 more horsepower....
Im thinking of trying som NGK iridiums, bcause thier th only ones i found mainstream, that don't have platinum on it. I have a 95 plymouth neon, and is recommended to use copper plugs only, as ive seen pics of platunim plugs after 20,000 miles with the center tip totaly melted off. Another one said it caused carbon buildup in his neon, and yet another, claims it melted a hole in his piston top. Any truth too these?

 

[Turk]

I don't think they had Iridium plugs back in '95, so they couldn't be recommended yet...

I use them & like them - they may not last the 100k, my tips were wore down at 83k.

 

[Brett Miller]

I have in 2 vehicles but I didn't notice any improvement in mileage. I used them for their long life span.

 

[Dad2leia]

From what I've read, the only benefit to iridium plugs is the longevety level. Other than that, they really don't provide any more benefits to mileage or power "feel". That doesn't mean that I wouldn't use them. Depending on how many miles you put on your Neon, the plugs might be your last tune up.

 

[The Critic]

It depends on the application. What make/model vehicle?

 

[Eddie]

I agree that iridiums are long lived plugs. Most beneficial where plugs are very difficult to change and or in certain engines prone to be hard on plugs due to swirl charecteristics in the combustion chamber. Do not expect any smoother running, increased fuel mileage and power unless you are presently driving with worn out plugs. Ed

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
I agree that iridiums are long lived plugs. Most beneficial where plugs are very difficult to change and or in certain engines prone to be hard on plugs due to swirl charecteristics in the combustion chamber. Do not expect any smoother running, increased fuel mileage and power unless you are presently driving with worn out plugs. Ed

Not all Iridiums are long life plugs.

Denso makes the "Iridium Power" series plugs that last about 30,000 miles, but they also have a long life line of Iridiums that can last up to 120,000 miles. NGK has the Iridium IX plugs as well, and those are tuned for performance more so than longevity.

 

[Pablo]

1-2 mpg with spark plugs?

That's HUGE!!

 

[punisher]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
1-2 mpg with spark plugs?

That's HUGE!!


Like many thing that are "HUGE", it's just wishful thinking.

 

[Volvohead]

Iridiums are ideal for more severe combustion chamber conditions - i.e. higher pressure blowers and/or with track mods - conditions that eat up lesser materials faster. Otherwise, more frequent changes with a platinum plug should be a better overall value.

I don't know anyone who has saved 2 mpg running iridiums. If they genuinely did that, every OEM would be using them to raise their CAFE.

All my mechanic friends with Neons would break out laughing if anyone ever suggested putting iridiums in them. Save your money and buy a different NGK, most of which are terrific plugs.

 

[ziggy]

Yes pablo,l-2 mpg with iridiums. I found that info on neons.org. I can't say how true it is though, as most think they know how to calculate mpg, all that, and they don't. This is jsut what alot of other 95 neon owners had stated, without further inspection. That could be any number of factors which drovemy curiosity.
They do make em for msot moel cars Tpicher..i loked and cross refferenced the iridums, on Denso, NGK, cahmpion, autolites websites. Only the NGK i found, was to not have a platinum finger, the arm whenre the spark itself touched, on a plug.
I did find out, platinums are not recommneded for neons, becasue our engines are based on a waste spark system, coppers should only beused. Some of the mechanics, took thier platinum (bosh) plugs out, and they were either melted, or the spark pin itself was completely gone, after 20,000 miles or less. Coppers jsut seem to repsond very well to our waste spark system. But after some used iridiums, the research stll goes on.

 

[Mike_dup1]

My 2004 GMC truck (5.3L) came factory installed with AC Delco Iridiums. I know because I was going to replace them with Iridiums and when I took one out, they already in there and looked brand new after 30,000 miles btw. There is a GM TSB advising of the new Iridium plugs and better performance could be achieved by replacing the Platinums with those.

GM has been installing them as OEM in some vehicles since 2004, especially trucks/SUV's.

Quote:
ACDelco Iridium Spark Plugs are the latest evolution in high-performance plug electrode material and are designed to last 100,000 miles.

Iridium is one of the hardest materials used in spark plugs today which allows for smaller, more efficient electrode designs for improved cold starting and quicker acceleration.

The application coverage of ACDelco Iridium Spark Plugs continues to grow, with the plugs backed by a 100,000-mile limited warranty.

 

[dwendt44]

Iridium plugs seem to work real well in motorcycles and most of them have waste spark ignitions.

 

[dorkiedoode]

i changed 3 out of 6 in my accord and didn't notice anything. i guess you can say it starts up during the cold better but nothing to whine about.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: dorkiedoode
i changed 3 out of 6 in my accord and didn't notice anything. i guess you can say it starts up during the cold better but nothing to whine about.

Why did you only change out 3 of the 6 plugs?

 

[leftlane]

Make sure to check the gap on them even though the box says not to adjust them because they do not all come pre gapped to spec as stated on the box. I bought some that were supposed to be .44 and they were anywhere from .42 to .38 so check them and gap them carefully.

 

[ARB1977]

I got them in my Taco and never saw any change.

 

[Cooper]

Originally Posted By: dorkiedoode
i changed 3 out of 6 in my accord and didn't notice anything. i guess you can say it starts up during the cold better but nothing to whine about.


Why? Couldn't afford the other three? Too lazy to do all six at a time? I wouldn't ever start a job on my car that I couldn't finish, this is just asinine!

 

[Eddie]

Maybe the back 3 spark plugs require intake manifold removal or something else that makes it a real challenge.

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Using the NGK Iridium in my Kawasaki 650 four wheeler and didn't notice any difference in performance.