Spark plug discussion

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Originally Posted By: MC5W20


Have fun, the three against the firewall are a bit of a pain, but can be done easily if you are patient and flexible.


Yep ,hate the back 3. Thats why i,m interested in platinums so i don't have to do that too often!!!
 
The standard Bosch Platinum single electrode is a very good plug and will last for around 50 to 60k with no problem.
 
I put NGK Iridiums in the Aveo, and will use the same in the Saturn when the time comes. Performance seems to be a little better than the NGK copper's that came with the car. The original coppers were pretty burnt after only 26k of use. For some reason, this engine seems to be hard on plugs, so I spent the $40 to put the Iridiums in so they would last as long as possible.

With only 30k on the odo, and about 9k a year driving, the plugs will probably outlast the car.
 
I'm waiting until my gas mileage drops off before I replace my plugs, I've got 50K on them and my mpg is still great. When I do replace the plugs, I'll probably go with the NGK V-Power, NGK's are OEM on my '04 Subie Legacy. I'm not sold on platinum plugs, some cars run great on them, other run really poorly on them, I'll play it safe and run the copper core plugs.
 
Just cheap Copper plugs. I used to believe in Champions untill I couldn't find them for my Jeep so I bought Autolites. Major difference in smoothness and power with the Autolites.

My last set were NGK's and they seemed smoother than the Autolites.

My Jeep uses a waste spark ignition system and they do not like Platinum plugs for some reason. Every week on the Jeep boards there will be a new thread and the same problem. Somebody put Platinum plugs in a Jeep and now the Cel is on with multiple misfire codes.
 
I've had good results from Motorcraft, NGK, Denso, OEM Toyota. I've had bad results with the Bosch gimmick plugs.
 
I've used Bosch for years and have never had a single issue.....whether it was Silbers, Super+, even the +2 and +4.

Always a perfectly running engine.

Used them in Honda, Ford, VW, and Saab,
 
NGKs are always my choice for the Japanese cars in the family. All the Fords in the family get Motorcrafts, and my Ranger will be no exception.
 
You guys have raised a new question for me. Is the only purpose of a platinum plug to increase electrode longevity, or are there other reasons.

Does a copper plug have the same spark charecteristics as a platinum? I've read and seen a lot of reference to white papers on this board that have to deal with motor oil, anyone know of any that deal with spark plugs?
 
Platinum wears slower than copper or Nickle so in therory platinum plugs should last longer than standard plugs.

Usually Platinum plugs only have 1 Platinum electrode. Not both unless you buy Double platinum plugs.

This is why platinum Plugs do not work well in the Jeep waste spark system. They fire 2 plugs at the same time. One plug fires negative to posative and the other fires posative to negative. When you throw a Platinum plug into the mix then you have slightly different resistance and the system will only fire one plug and if that one plug is not the one thats on it's firing stroke you get a miss and a ck eng light.

The Jeeps must have regular plugs or double platinums.
 
I've changed umpteen jillion spark plugs.
The new designs with new sysetms last much longer.
But they can indeed wear.
100k is a very long life.
We can not exactly measure misfires, but they are for sure happening even with brand new plugs.
We want to minimize this event. Maybe starting out at one in five thousand, to zero for zero, depending on if there is a failure [or anything in between].
 
These Denso iridium plugs in my Corolla are rated for 120k, so I haven't changed them out yet. When I do it'll be to the same Denso plugs that are in it now. No point in cheaping out on something that only needs to replaced every 120k.

-Spyder
 
Originally Posted By: Vizzy
I've used Bosch for years and have never had a single issue.....whether it was Silbers, Super+, even the +2 and +4.

Always a perfectly running engine.

Used them in Honda, Ford, VW, and Saab,


Pretty surprising, I've had issues with the "hot" ground strap on +4s essentially melting closing the gap up and creating misfire issues in little time. As far as I'm concerned Bosch Platinum +4s are complete [censored].
 
Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
Originally Posted By: Vizzy
I've used Bosch for years and have never had a single issue.....whether it was Silbers, Super+, even the +2 and +4.

Always a perfectly running engine.

Used them in Honda, Ford, VW, and Saab,


Pretty surprising, I've had issues with the "hot" ground strap on +4s essentially melting closing the gap up and creating misfire issues in little time. As far as I'm concerned Bosch Platinum +4s are complete [censored].



Used the +4 on multiple vehicles and they have performed excellently. My own seat of the pants experience with these are that they increase engine smoothness and also increase the throttle response just a bit. This is when I installed the Super + and +4..both new sets one after the other( changed between them in a day) to see if I could notice any difference ...This in the 96 VW Golf GL and Saab 9-3.

A lot of issues with plugs failing is a result of installing the improper application on a vehicle...and or other engine problems like detonation.
 
Originally Posted By: Vizzy
Used the +4 on multiple vehicles and they have performed excellently. My own seat of the pants experience with these are that they increase engine smoothness and also increase the throttle response just a bit. This is when I installed the Super + and +4..both new sets one after the other( changed between them in a day) to see if I could notice any difference ...This in the 96 VW Golf GL and Saab 9-3.

A lot of issues with plugs failing is a result of installing the improper application on a vehicle...and or other engine problems like detonation.


The problem is the teeny, tiny grounds that they use on +4s weren't robust enough. I can assure in my case there were zero detonation issues and the plug was the part# Bosch called for the Ford 4.6 2V.
 
Originally Posted By: Ben99GT


The problem is the teeny, tiny grounds that they use on +4s weren't robust enough. I can assure in my case there were zero detonation issues and the plug was the part# Bosch called for the Ford 4.6 2V.


Sounds like a heat issue to me possibly...if the heat range is correct and there are no issues with the engine and NO modifications either..no chips, t stats, cams ect...any?

It is possible that the application was incorrect as suggested in the cross reference. It can happen.

It could be a defect they do happen, but QC at Bosch is really very good, so it would be a remote possibility.
 
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I swear I tried every plug avaiable for my old 5.0 when I had it, and never noticed any difference.

I do try to stick with what is OEM..especially on hard-to-replace plugs.

Will be throwing a set of Autolite's into the Malibu today though, see how that works out.
 
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