Iridium vs Ruthenium spark plugs

[crasch]

I know for a fact that Motorcraft (Ford) uses NGK to manufacture their iridium spark plugs.
Ruthenium spark plugs are suppose to last longer. With my Powerboost, the standard interval for spark plugs is 60k, unlike the standard 3.5L Ecoboost, which is at 100k. I'm assuming that is because Ford believes you will be using the onboard 7.5k generator. So I switch over to Ruthenium.

 

[Paco Pena]

You rarely go wrong by replacing plugs with whatever they came with from the manufacturer.

Paco

 

[chexxers]

overpriced exotic metals conduct POORLY so if install is EZE i use cheap copper plugs!!! longevity is the only advantage of harder metals

 

[kschachn]

overpriced exotic metals conduct POORLY so if install is EZE i use cheap copper plugs!!! longevity is the only advantage of harder metals

Conductivity of the tip material is utterly irrelevant. "Copper" plugs do not have copper tips.

Besides the fact that all the noble metals conduct very well.

Is that you, benjy?

 

[martinq]

overpriced exotic metals conduct POORLY so if install is EZE i use cheap copper plugs!!! longevity is the only advantage of harder metals

It's a bit more than longevity, the sharper edges / corners provided by the precious metals reduces the voltage required to fire an arc. This can help with weak ignition, large gaps, poor conditions. It's a significant, if small, boost to the ignition system.

For me it's worth the extra $3 a plug for the platinum tip but I don't usually spring for the double unless it's a clean running engine.

 

[kschachn]

overpriced exotic metals conduct POORLY so if install is EZE i use cheap copper plugs!!! longevity is the only advantage of harder metals

Here is one of your previous posts under your previous user name:

my 2001 TT gets similar plugs!! its just MARKETING for more profits as the harder thin wire plugs are POOR conductors!! as i noted EZE changes, i am older + slow but i installed plugs in the Kia this morning, about 30 min at a slo pace EZE PEAZY!! your choice your $$$$. the OE plugs did NOT look good!! on that note changing girlfriends plugs in her traded 2001 Passat netted better MPGS + smoother running + imo these "lifetime" things are just MORE MARKETING!!!

 

[4WD]

Here is one of your previous posts under your previous user name:

Wait, can you run those with fake synthetic oil ?

 

[Dave1027]

I just replaced the NGK Iridium IX plugs in my car with new NGK Ruthenium HX. I did not expect it but the engine seems to run smoother with the Rutheniums. The Iridiums had 58k miles on them over about 12 years but looked fine when I removed them.

 

[Dave9]

overpriced exotic metals conduct POORLY so if install is EZE i use cheap copper plugs!!! longevity is the only advantage of harder metals

So you don't run standard resistive spark plug wires in your semi-modern vehicles, and destroy your radio reception and risk other electronic glitches due to that lack of noise suppression from the ignition system?

Factory spark plug wires add a lot more resistance than the minimal difference from the spark plug, about 5K-10K ohms per foot.

 

[kschachn]

Factory spark plug wires add a lot more resistance than the minimal difference from the spark plug, about 5K-10K ohms per foot.

And even less from the tip material. The spark plug itself generally has a resistor as well.

This whole notion that the tip material in and of itself is a monster for resistance comes from a few (still existing) websites and from people who regurgitate that misinformation here or elsewhere, which then gets regurgitated again.

Which then is nearly always followed up with “copper plugs are best” when in reality either there are no copper plugs, or they all are copper - depending on what you’re talking about.

https://ngksparkplugs.com/en/resources/5-things-you-should-know-about-spark-plugs

“Copper spark plugs”

“Copper spark plugs” is a term often used to describe a standard material spark plug. However, this terminology is incorrect, as standard material plugs do not have electrodes made from copper. Copper is soft with a low melting point and cannot be used for electrodes, as they would wear very quickly. A standard material spark plug uses a nickel-alloy that may include a small copper core. The copper core has nothing to do with the electrical performance of the spark plug. A copper core is used to increase heat dissipation and durability by lowering the electrode temperatures. Nearly all NGK spark plugs, including precious metal iridium and platinum plugs, have a copper core to increase the electrode durability. Special nickel alloys, platinum, and iridium electrodes, along with copper cores are all used to enhance durability – durability meaning how long a spark plug will last before it needs to be replaced.

 

[KevinMalone]

I just replaced the NGK Iridium IX plugs in my car with new NGK Ruthenium HX. I did not expect it but the engine seems to run smoother with the Rutheniums. The Iridiums had 58k miles on them over about 12 years but looked fine when I removed them.

Engine runs smoother on new plugs compared to 12 year old plugs with 60k miles? You don't say

Also, Iridium IX plugs are only rated for 50k miles. Eg: https://www.ngk.com/ngk-6619-lfr6aix-11-iridium-ix-spark-plug